Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-12-15
The Cost OF . Train.

At the time when the first court OF law
was established in Russia, lady, dressed
with the utmost elegance, was walking on
the Moscow promenade, leaning upon her
husbands arm, and letting the long train
of her rich dress sweep the dust and dirt Of
the street.
"A young officer, coming hastily from
side street, was so careless as to catch one
OF his spurs In the lady's train, and in an
instant great piece was Torn out OF the
costly but frail material OF the dress.
"I beg a thousand pardons. madame"
said the officer, with polite bow, and then
was about passing on, when he was detain-
ed by the lady's husband.
"You have insulted my wife,"
"Nothing was farther from my intention,
sir, Your wife's long dress is TO blame for
the accident, which sincerely regret, and
beg you once more TO receive my apollo
gies for any caTeessness on my part"
Thereupon he attempted to hasten on.
"You shall net escape So" said the lady,
with her head thrown back in spirited
way. "To-day is the first time have worn
this dress, and IL cost two hundred rubles,
which you must make Roou.
"My dear madame, beg you not to de-
tain me. l am obliged to go on duty at
once. AS to the two hundred rubles-I
really cannot help the length Of your Dress
yet beg your pardon for not having been
more cautious"
"You shall not stir, sir. That you are
obliged TO go on duty is nothing TO us. Ny
l.. -;..I.0 lao ANno
good"
The officers face grew pale.
"You force me 10 break through the
rules of the service, and l shall receive
punishment"
"Pay The two hundred rubles and you
are Free"
The quickly changing color in the young
mans face betrayed how inwardly disturb
ed he was; but stepping close up TO them
both, he said, with apparent selfcommand; I;
"YOu win reLounce your claim when !
| tell you that am a-a-pOor man, who has
nothing to live on but his officers pay, and
the amount of that pay hardly reaches the
sum of two hundred rubles in whole year.
1 can, therefore, make no amends for the
misfortune, except by again begging your
pardon"
"ohI anybody could say all that; but
wen see If 1t is true; we'll find out If you
have ho,hing but your pay. declare my
self not satisfied with your excuse, and
demand my money" persisted the lady,
| in the hard voice of thoroughly unfeel-
ing woman.
"That is true-you are right" the hus-
band added, dutifully supporting her. by
good luck we have the open court now just
in session. Go with us before the judge
and lie will decide the matter"
| All further protestalion on the officers
part that lie was poor, that he was expect
ed on duty, and so forth, did not help mat
tiers. Out Of respect for his uniform and
TO avoid any open scene, he had TO go with
Them 10 the court room, where the gallery
was densely packed with crowd OF peo-
pie.
After waiting some time the lady had
leave to bring her complaint.
"What have you 10 answer to this COM
pIaint?" said the judge, turning TO the Of
ticer, who seemed embarrassed aud half 10
despair.
l ''Ou luO WuOlNI WIZ Aies'Ss 49, '-~ -~NN
ness Of tho hour, and being required on
duty, compelled me TO hurry, did not no.
lice this lady's train, which was dragging
on the ground. caught one Of my spurs
IN ii, and had the misfortune to tear her
dress. Madame would not receive my ex-
cuses, but perhaps now she might be more
disposed TO forgiveness, when again de-
clare, 80 help me God, that Ieommitted
this awkward blunder without any mis-
chievous intention, and / earnestly beg
that she will pardon me-"
A murmur ran through The gallery, evil
IDENTIFY from the people taking sides with
the defendant, and against long trains In
general and the lady in particular.
The judge called to order, and asked
"Are you satisfied with The defendants ok
planation :"
'.Not at all satisfied. demand two hum
drsd Tubles for my torn dress-"