The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-12-06


again. reg
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AN EXPENSIVE TRAIN.
A Russian Story.
At the time when the first open
court Of law was established in Russia
a lady,. dressed with the utmost ele-
gance, 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 up 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 fraie
material of the dress.
Il beg thousand pardons, madam
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,
tsNothing was further from my in.
tention, sir. Your wife's long dress
is to blame for the accident, Which I
sincerely regret, and I beg you once
more to receive my apologies for any
carelessness on my part Thereupon
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 me two hundred rubles, which
you must make good.''
''My dear madam, I beg you not to
detain me. am obliged to 20 on duty
at once. AS to the two hundred ru-
bles-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. 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 I shall receive
punishment
''Pay the two hundred rubles and
you are free.''
The quickly changing color in the
young mans face betrayed how in
wardey disturbed he was but step.
ping closely to them both, he said,
with apparent self-command :-''You
will renOunce your claim when I tell
you thatl am a-a-poor man, who
has nothing to live on but his officers
pay, and the amount of that pay hard
ly reaches the sum of two hundred ru-
bles in a whole year. can, therefore,
make no amends for the misfortune,
except by again begging your pardon.
sob anybody could say all that; but
we'll see if it's true we'n find out if
you have nothing but your pay. de-
clare myself not satisfied with your ex-
cuses and demand my money!" per-
sisted the lady, in the hard voice of
thorough unfeeling woman.
THAT is true-you are right the
husband added, dutifully supporting
her. ''By good luck we have the open
court just now in session. Go with us
before the judge and he will declare
the matter.''
All further protestatiOn on the Off
GERS part that he was poor, that he
was expected on duty, etc., 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 gallery 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
to the officer, who seemed embarrassed
and half in despair.
''On the whole. very little. AS the
latenesS of the hour and being on duty,
compelled me to hurry, did not no.
tice this lady's train, which was drag.
ging on the ground. I caught one of
my spurs in it, and had the misfortune
to tear the dress. Madam would not
receive my excuses, but perhaps now
she might find herself more disposed
to forgiveness when Iagain declare, so
help me God, that 1 committed this
awkward blunder without any mis-
chievous intention, and I earnestly
beg she will pardon me-
A murmur ran through the gallery.
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,
care you satisfied with the defend
ants explanation p
'sNot at all satisfied. I demand two
hundred rubles in payment for my
torn Dress
'Defendant, will you pay this
sum?''
81 would have paid it long before
this had been in a position to do so.
Unfortunately, am poor. My pay as