The Osceola times., 1876-11-11
THE COST OF A TRAIN.

ne NO0I OT n - nA1N
AT the time when the first open 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 30 careless as 10 catch one
Of hi- spurs in the lady's train, and in an
instant great piece was torn out OF the
costly but frai material of the dress.
81 beg Il thousand pardons, madam. -
said the officer, with polite bow, and
then was about passing on, when he was
detained by the lsdy's husband.
"You have insulted my wife"
Nothing wm farther from my inton.
tions, sir. Your wifc's long dress is to
blame for the accident, which sincerely
regret, and beg you once mere to re-
ceive my apologies for any carelessness
on my part" Thsreupon he attempted
to hasten on.
"You shall not escape so,' said the
lady, with her head thrown back in
spirited way. To-day il the first time
have worn this dress, and it cost two
hundred rubles, which you must make
good"
My dear madam, beg you not to de.
tain me. am Obliged to 90 on duty at
once. As TO the two hundred rublcs--I
really cannot help the length of your
dress, yet beg your pardon for not hav-
ing been more cautious"
Won shall NOT stir sir Itat van "a ra
obliged TO go on duty is nothing to u.s.
My.wiieis right the dress must be made
good"
Tie officers lace grew pale
You force me to break through the
rules OF the service, and | shall receive
punishment"
"Pay the two hundred rublcs and you
are free"
The quickly changing color in the
young mans face showed how inwardly
disturbed he was; but stepping close up
to them both he said, with apparent self
command:
"You will renounce your claim when
tell YOU that am a--a-poor man,
who has nothing to live on but hi, off.
GERS pay, and the amount of that pay
hardly reaches the sum of two hundred
rubles in whole year. can, therefore,
make no amends for the misfortune ex-
cept by again begging your pardon
"Oh anybody could say all that ;
but we'll see II it's true; wen find ont
If you have nothing but your pay. |
declare myself not satisfied with your
excuses, and demand my money! per
sisted the lady, in the hard voice OF a
thoroughly unfeeling woman.
THAT Is true-yOu are right the
husband added, dutiflly 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 4"
All further protestation on the officer :
part that he was poor, that he was ex-
pected OH duty, did not 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 gal
lery was densely 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
complaint ?" said the Judge, turning Ia
the officer, who seemed embarrassed aud
half in despair.
"On the whole, very little As the
lateness of the hour, and being re.
quired on duty, compelled me to
hurry, ] did not notice the lsdy's train
which was dragging on the ground
caught one OF my spurs in II, and
had the misfortune 10 tear the dress
Madame would not receive my excuse
but perhaps she might find herself nor,
disposed TO forgiveness, when again de.
clare, 81 help me God, that committed
this awkward blunder without any mis-.
chievous intention. nsd earnestly beg
that she will pardon me.
A murmur ran throusL the gallery,
evidently from the people taking side.
with the defendant, and arsinst long
trains in general, and the lady In particu.
lar
The Judge called 10 order. snd asked
Are you satisfied with the defendant,
explanation >"
Not at all satisfied demand two
hundred rubles in payment for my torn
dress
Defendant. will you pay th. sum 90
would have paid it long before this
had 1 been in position to do ~ Unior-
tunate'y am poor. My pay ~ sn officer
is all have 10 live on"
You hear, complainant, that the de-
fendant IL not able to pay the sum YOU
demand of him. Do you still wish the
complaint to stand"
An unbroken stillnesS reign.d through
out the hall and the Young officer
breath could I've heard cnnligg hard.
% wish it to stand. The law shall
give me my rights"
There ran through the rows oi people
murmur of Indignation that sounded
like rushing Of water
Consider, complsinani, the conse-
quence Of your demand The deendan,
cen be punished only by being deprived
Of his personal liberty, and by that you
could obtain no satisfaction. while tothe
defendant it nigh, prove the greatest in
jury In his rank and position assn officer,
sHd especially "A he Is an officer who is
P0or a1l depsndsAi apcn hi. ray. Do
y0u still insist upon your complaint >"
Il still Insist apar 4.
1he eoassr the affair Was TAX ing seemed
" have lsecSne painful 70 the ixaay i.us
haAd. He spoke with his wife ufgeHtly.
= NJ q oould be seeu by the way sEs !.