He Chose the Altar Over the Jail Cell

Albert Brydson, night watchman on the steamer Mather, and Miss Emma Moe, of this city—a small, blue-eyed woman aged 24 years—were married at midnight last night by Rev. John F. Damon at his residence, 810 Fifth street, and thereby hangs a tale.

Last evening Assistant Prosecutor McBride was closeted at his office with Miss Moe, her mother and Attorney Will R. Gay. McBride wrote a few lines on a legal complaint, and Justice of the Peace Caldwell was sent for. On his arrival he was asked to issue a warrant for Brydson's arrest on a seduction charge, the complaint alleging that on February 12, 1894, Brydson had seduced Miss Moe in this city. The warrant was given to Mr. Gay. Great secrecy was observed, as it was expected the accused would marry the girl without pressing the charge. She saw her old sweetheart, but he refused again; to settle the matter, Mr. Gay gave the warrant to Officer Pierce at the corner of Front and Columbia streets and told him to serve it.

Gay accompanied the officer and saw Brydson placed under arrest. The man at first denied the charge. During his talk with Officer Pierce he said he loved the girl, but did not believe he had done what he was accused of. The officer told him the best thing to do was to marry her, but Brydson still protested his innocence. He was taken to headquarters and placed in charge of an officer who was to accompany him in search of bondsmen.

No sooner had he left the station than a change took place, and he began to think better of the marriage idea. It was not long before the girl and her friends were in a hack on their way to Mr. Damon's. They went to the wrong house, but finally reached the minister's and told him their errand. They simply said they wanted to be married, and on showing the license, which had been thoughtfully secured beforehand, the knot was tied. A carriage bearing the newly married couple then drove off.