Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-11-15
In EXPENSIVE TRAIN.


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.
4 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 q great piece was torn
out of the costly but frail material Of
the dress.
81 beg thousand pardons,
madame" said the officer, with po-
lite bow, and then was about passing
on, when he was detained by the lady's
husband
You have insulted my WIFE,"
Nothing WAS further from my in
tenCion, sir. Your wife's long dress is
&c blame for the accident, which [ sim
cerely regret, and beg you once more
to receive my apologies for any care
Iesaness On my part" Thereupon he
attempted TO hasten on.
you shall not escape So" said the
Iadv, with her head thrown back in a
spirited way To-day is the first time
7 have worn this dress, and it cost me
two hundred rubles, which you must
make good
Only dear madam, beg you not to
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 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
punishment"
Pay the two hundred rubles and
you are free"
The quickly changing color in the
young mans face betrayed how in
wardly disturbed he was; but stepping
close to them both, he said, with ap-
parent self-command:
g You VIII renounce your claim when
{ tell you that [ am a-a-pOor man,
who mas nothing to live On but his Of
dceg'e pay, and the amount Of that pay
hardy reaches the sum of two hun
dfed rubles IN whole year. [ cam
therefore, make no amends for the
misfortune, except by again begging
yoUr pardon"
con anybody could say all that;
but we'll see If it's true; We'll find out
if you have nothing but your pay. I
declare myself not satisfied with your
money persisted the lady, in the hard
voice ola thoroughly unfeeling woman.
That is .rue-you are right" the
husband added, dutifully supporting
her. BY good luck We have the open
court now just in session. Go with us
before the Judge and he will decide the
matter"
All further protestation on the Off
GERS part that he was poor, that he
wa5 expected on duty, and so forth, did
lot help matters Out of respect for
his Uniform, and to avoid an open
scene, he had to go with them to the
courtroom, where the gallery was
oensely packed with crowd of people.
After waiting some time the lady
had leave to bring her com plant.
"sYhat have you to answer to this
cornulaint?' said the judge, turning to
the officer, who seemed embarrassed
and half IN despair.
"On the whole, very little. AS the
lateness OF the hour, and being requir-
ed or duty, compelled me to hurry, |
did not notice Ills lady's train, which
was dragging on the ground. | caught
one of my spurs il it, and had the
misfortune to tear the dress. Madam
would not receive my excuses, but
perhaps now she might find herself
moro disposed to forgiveness, when l
&gain declare, SO help me God, that
[ committed this awkward blunder
without any mischievous intention,
and l earnestly beg that she Will pardon
nae"
4. nurmur ran through the gallery,
evidently from the people taking sides
with the defendant, and against long
trains IN general and the lady in par
itcula-.