Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-10-25

ing 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 a
side street, was 50 careless as to catch one of
his spurs in the lndy's train, aud in an in
stant great piece was torn out of the costly
but frail material Of the dress.
81 beg thousand pardons, madame,
said the officer, with polite bow, and then
was about passing on, when he was detained
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 apologies
for any carelessness on my part" There
upon he attempted to hasten on.
You shall not escape So said the lady.
with her head thrown back in a spirited
way. To-day is the first time have worn
this dress, and it cost two hundred ruhles.
which you must make good"
My dear madame, beg you not to de.
tain me. am obliged 10 60 on duty ut
once As to the two hundred rubles - |
really cannot help the leugth OF your dress,
yet | beg your pardon for not having been
more cautious
"Yon shall not stir, sir. That you are
obliged to go ON duty is nothing to us. My
wife is right; the dress must be made good"
The officers face grew pale.
You force me TO break through the rules
of the service, and shall receive punish
ment."
Pay the two hundred rubles and you are
free
The quickly changing color in the young
mans face betrayed how inwardly disturbed
he was but stepping close up to them both,
he said, with apparent self-commaud;
You will renounce 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 a whole year
can, therefore, make no amends for the
misfortune except by again begging your
pardon"
"Oh anybody could say all that but
we'll see if it's true we'll find out if you
have nothing but your pay. | declare my
self not satisfied with your excuses, and
demand my money" persisted the lady in
the hard voice of thoroughly unfeeling
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 aud
he will decide the matter"
All further protestation on the officers
part that he was poor, that he was expected
on duty, aud so forth, did not help matters
Out of respect for his uniform, and to avoid
an open scene, he had to 90 with them to the
courtroom, where the gallery was deusely
packed with a crowd of people.
After waiting some time, the lady had
leave to bring her complaint.
"What have you to answer to this com
plant 2" said the judge, turning to the Of
ficer, who seemed embarrassed and half in
despair.
"On the whole, very little. As the late
ness of the hour, and being required on duty.
compelled me TO hurry, did not notice this
lady's train, which was dragging on the
ground. | caught one of my spurs in it, and
had the misfortune TO tear the dress. Mad
ame would not receive any excuses, but per-
haps now she might find herself more dis
posed to forgiveness, when | again declare,
so help me God that | committed this awk-
ward blunder without any mischieyous in
tenton, and | earnestly beg that she will
pardon me-"
A murmur ran through the gallery, evid-
emily 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 ex-
planation %
Not at all satisfied. demand two
hundred rubles in payment for my torn
dress"
Defendant, will you pay this sum ?"
"a would have paid it long before this
had been in a position to do so. Unfortu-
nately am poor. My pay as an officer is all
| have to live on"
You hear, complainant, that the defend
ant is not able to pay the sum you demand
of him. Do you still wish the complaint TO
stand 2"
An unbroken stiffness reigned throughout
the hall, and the young officers breath could
be heard coming hard
81 wish it to stand The law shall give
me my rights"
There ran through the rows of people a
murmur of indignation that sounded like a
rushing of water.
Consider, complainant, the consequences
of your demand. The defendant can be
punished ouly through being deprived of his
personal liberty, aud by that you could OBJ
tain no satisfaction, while TO the defendant
|
rank and position as an officer, and especially
as he is an officer who is poor aud dependent
upon his pay DO you still insist upon your
complaint 2"
still insist upon it,
The course the affair was taking seemed
to have become painful to the lady's hus
band. He spoke with his wife urgently
but, as could he seen by the way she held
up her head and the energy with which she
shook it, quite uselessly. The Judge was
just going on TO further consideration of the
case, when loud voice was heard from the
audience
81 will place the two hundred rubles at
the service of the defendant"
There followed a silence, during which a
gentleman forced his way through the
crowd and placed himself by the young of
ticer's side
A" Sir, am the Prince W and beg
you will oblige me by accepting the loan OF
the two hundred rubles in question"
4" Prince, | am not worthy of your kind
ness, for don't know if shall ever be able
to pay the loan," answered the young man,
in voice tremulous with emotion.
Take the money, at all events. | can
wait until you are able to return it," There
upon the prince held out two notes of a hun
dred rubes each, and coming close up to
him, whispered few words very softly.
There was a sudden lighting up of the of
icer's face lie Immediately took the two
notes, and, turning toward the lady, handed
them TO her with polite bow.
+" hope, madame, you are satisfied"
With a malicious smile she reached out
her hand for the money.
Yes nOU | am satisfied"
Nyttb "A aonrnful oianra nj tha ,ro,v1 of