The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-11-02
raE eo.r on 4. TR.rs

drsssea wlsh She utmost elegance, Was
walking on the Moscow promenade,
lesnlnr upon her Husbands arm, sud
letiiBg lhs losg train Of her rich dress
sweep toe dua and dir, Of The street.
A yoang officer, coming hastily from
side street, was 80 careless a. 70 catch
one of bis spurs in the lsdy's train, and
10 an instant gres, piece was torn ont
Of the costly bat ffsil material OF The
dreu
beg Thousand psrdoas, madame,
said ihe oiileer, with polite bow, and
lsea sas hboa, passing on, wheu be was
detained by TIE Iady's husband
Yon have iu.alled my wife.
Nothing was further from my intention
sir. Your wife'- long dress Is to blame
for the sccidehi, which sincerely regret,
aud beg YOU once more to receive my
apologies for any eArelessness on my
part. Thsrupon be attempted TO hasten
on.
You shall not escape so, said the lady,
with her bead thrown back 10 spirited
way. To-day Is the drst lims have
worn this dress, and II cost two hundred
rubles, which you must make good.
Ny dear madame, | beg you not to de
tAiu me. anu obliged to 60 on duty a.
once. AZ TO the two hundred rnbles--l
really csnno, help the length OF your
dress, ys, beg your pardon for not hsv.
ing been more cautious.
You shall not stir, sir. That you are
obliged to 40 on duty is nothing TO us.--
My wife is right; the dress must be made
good.
The officers face grew pale.
You force me 10 break through the
rules Of the service, and shall receive
punishment.
Pay the two hundred rubles aud you
are free.
The quickly changing color ia the young
man's face betrayed how inwardly dis
turbed he was; but stepping close mp TO
them both, lie said, with apparent self.
command
You will renonnce your claim when ]
tell you that ! am a-a-poor man, who
has nothing TO live on but All officers pay
and The amount OF that pay hardly reach
es the sum OF two hundred rnbles IN =
whole year. can, therefore, make no
amends for the misfortune, except by
again begging your pardon.
Oh! anybody could say all that; but
we u see IL it, true; we'll find out If you
have nothing but your pay. ] declare
myself not satit1led With your excuses,
aud demand my money, persisted the
lady in the hard voice OF thoroughly
uuieeling woman.
That is true-you are right, the hns-
band added, dutifully supporting her.
By good luck VIC have the open court
now just In session. Go with US before
the Judge and he will soon decide the
matter.
All further protestation on the officers
part that he was poor, that he was ex.
pecIed on duty, and so forth, did not
help matters Out of respect for his uni
form, aud 10 avoid an open scene, be had
to 70 with them to the court room, 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 com.
plIinlf said the judge, turning to The
officer, who seemed embarrassed and
halt in despair.
Oa the whole, very little. As the late
uts OF the hour, and being required on
duty, compelled me TO hurry, did not
notice this lady's train, which was drag.
ging On the ground. | caught one OF my
spurs 10 IL, aud had the misfortune TO
tear the dress. Madame would not re-
ceive my excuses, but perhaps now she
might tiud herself more disposed 10 Tor
xiyencss, when 1 again declare, 50 help
me God, that committed this awkward
bIunder without any nischicvous inten.
ton, and earnestly beg that Sue y VI
pardon me.
A muItnur tau through The gallery,
evidently from tie people taking side'
with the defendant, aud against long
trains in general aud the lady Ia pAr1icu
lar.
The Judge called to order aud asked
Are you satisfied with the deiendant''
sKpAna,ioul
Not at all satisfied. demand w,
hundred rubles iu payment for my tori
dress.
| Defendant, will you pay this suml
would have paid il loug before thi'
hid been IL po.il'on ts do 50. Unior
tunAlely | am poor. Ny pay as an Office
is sil have to live on.
You hear, complainant, that the de
feudant IL not able 10 pay The snm yot
demand OF him DO you stilI wish Ih'
complaint TO stand?
An uubrOken stiffness reigned threugl,
out the hail, aud the young officers brea Il
eoald be heard coming hard.
, | wish il ~ stand. The Iaw .hsll yiv'
! me my rights.
There ran through ihe rows Of people
murmur Of indignation that sounded lik
q rnphirg u waitr.
Consider, complainant, the eonsequcn
ces Of your demsnd. The defendant ca
be punished only through being deprive'
Of his personal liberty, aud by that O
could obtain no sslisiaelion, while to lh
!. deieudsn. il might prove The greatest IN
jury TO his rank and position ss an OIL