American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-11-04

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evidently from the people taking sides
with the defendant, and against long
trains in general and the lady in par
ticular.
The Judge called to order, and asked,
"Are you satisfied with the defendants
explanation?"
Not at all satisfied. 1 demand two
hundred rubles in payment for my torn
dress"
Defendant, will you pay this sunni P"
"I would have paid it long before
this had been in q position to do so.
Unfortunately am poor. My pay as
an officer is all have to live on"
"You hear, complainant, that the
defendant is not able to pay the sum
you demand of him. Do you still wish
the complaint to standP"
An unbroken stiffness reigned
throughout the hall, and the young
officers breath could be heard coming
hard.
"I wish it to stand. The law shall
give me my rights"
There ran through the rows of people
murmur of indignation that sounded
like . rushing of water.
"Consider, complainant, the conse-
quences of your demand. The defend
ant can be punished only through being
deprived of his personal liberty, and by
that you could obtain no satisfaction,
while to the defendant it might prove
the greatest injury in his rank and posi-
ton as an officer, and especially as he
is an officer who is poor and dependent
upon his pay. Do you still insist upon
your complaint"
81 still insist upon it,
The course the affair was taking
seemed to have become painful to the
lady's husband. He spoke with his
wife urgently, but, as could be 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:
"I will place the two hundred rubles
at the service of the defendant"
There followed a silence, during
which gentleman forced his way
through the crowd and placed himself
by the young officers side.
"Sir, I am the Prince w, and
beg you will oblige me by accepting
the loan of the two hundred rubles in
question:
"Prince, am not worthy of your
kindness, for I don't know if I shall
ever be able to pay the loan" answered
the young man, in a voice tremulous
with emotion.
"Take the money, at all events.
can wait until you are able to return it."
Thereupon the Prince held out two notes
of hundred rubles each, and coming
close up to him, whispered few words
very softly. There was sudden light
ing up of the officers face. He imme-
diately took the two notes, and, turning
toward the lady, handed them to her
with polite bow.
hope, madame, you are satisfied"
With malicious smile she reached
out her hand for the money.
With scornful glance over the crowd
of spectators, she prepared 70 leave the
Courtroom on her husbands arm.
"Stop, madame" said the officer,
who had suddenly become like another
man, with firm and confident manner.
"What do you want?''
The lsok that the young woman cast
upon him was as insulting as possible.
s'I want my dress,' he answered,
with q slight but still perfectly polite
bow.
"Give me your address, and I will
send it to your
"Oh, no, my dear madame, am in
the habit of taking my purchases with
me at once. Favor me with the dress
immediately"
A shout Of appreciation came from
the gallery.
"Orderi" cried the Judge.
ssWhat an insane demandi,' said the
lady's husband. "My wife can not un-
dress here"
81 have nothing to do with you, sir,
in this matter, but only with the COM
plainant. Be SO good, madame, as to
give me the dress Immediately. I am
in great hurry: my affairs are urgent,
and can not wait a moment longer"
The pleasure of the audience at the
expense of the lady increased with
every word, until it was hard to enforce
any approach to quiet, SO that either
party could be heard.
ssDo not jest any mere about it. 1
will hurry, and send you the dress as
soon as possible
81 am not jes.ing. demand from
the representative of the law my own
property-that Dress" said the officer,
raising his voice.
The Judge, thus appealed to, decided
promptly.
"The officer is right, madame. You
are obliged to hand him over the dress
on the spot"
81 can't undress myself here before
all these people, and go home without
any dress on said the young woman,
with anger and tears.
"You should have thought of that
sooner. Now you have no time to lose.
Either give up the dress of your own ac-
cord, or" A nod that could not be
misinterpreted brought to the lady's
side two officers of justice, who seemed
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