The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-12-15


the dress. Madame would not receive mi
excuses, but perhaps now she might fine
herself little more disposed to forgive
ness, when again declare, so help me God
that l committed this awkward blunde
without any mischievous intention, and
earnestly beg that she will pardon me-"
: A murmur ran through the gallery, evi
9 dtntly from the people taking sides will
the defendant, and the lady in particular
The judge called order, and asked, Gar,
you satisfied with the defendants explana
ton 2"
Not at all satisfied. l demand two
hundred rubles in payment of my tori
dress"
Defendant will you pay this sum q
II would have paid it all long before
this had been in position to do so.-
Unfortunately am poor. My pay as ar
officer is all have to live on"
You hear, complainant, that the defen
dant is not able to pay the sum demanded
of him. Do you still wish the complaint
to stand 2"
An unbroken stiffness reigned through
out the hall, and the young officers breath
could be heard coming hard.
Il wish it to stand. The law shall give
me my rights"
There ran through the rows of people a
murmur of Indignation that sounded like
a rushing of water.
"Consider, complainant, the consequence
of your demand. The defendant can only
be punished by being deprived of his per-
sonal liberty, and by that you could obtain
no satisfaction, while to the defendant it
might prove the greatest injury in his rank
and position as an officer, and especially
as he is an officer who is poor and depend.
ent upon his pay. Do you still insist upon
your complaint2'
g still insist upon it ~
The course the affair was taking seemed
to have, become painful to the ladys hus-
band. '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 usclessly. The Judge
was just going on to further consinera-
tion of theacAse, when a loud voice was
heard from tie audience:
s. will place the two hundred rubles at
the service of the defendant"
There followed I, silence, during which
"A gentleman forced his way through the
crowd and placed himself by the young
officers side. "Sir, 1 am the Prince Of
W and beg YOU will oblige me by
accepting the loan of the two hundred
rubles in question"
Prince, am not worthy of your kind
ness, for don't know if ever shall be
able to pay the loan," answered the young
man, in voice tremulous with emotion.
"Take the money at all events. l can
wait until you are able to pay it." There
upon the prince held out two notes OLA
hundred rubles each, and coming close up
| to him, whispered few words very softly.
There was a sudden lighting up of the
| officers face. He Immediately took the
two notes, and, turning toward the lady,
handed them to her with low bow.
81 hope, madam, you are satisfied p
With malicious smile she reached out
her hand for the money.
"Yes n0D | am satisfied
With scornful glance over the crowd
of spectators, she prepared to leave the
courtroom on her husbands arm
Stop, madam" said the officer, who
had suddenly become like another man,
., W. p firm and confident manner.
The look that the young woman cast
upon him was as insulting as possible.
81 want my Dress" he answered with
slight but still perfectly polite bow.
"Give me your address, and | will send
it to you"
ooh, no, my dear madam, | am in the
habit of taking my purchase with me at
once. Favor me with the dress Immediate
ly."
A shout of appreciation came from the
gallery.
"Order !" cried the judge.
"What an insane demand !" said the
lady's husband. my wife cannot undress
herself here"
II have nothing to do with you, sir, in
this matter, but only with the complainant.
Be so good, madam, as to favor me with
the dress Immediately. l am in a great
hurry my affairs are urgent, and cannot
wait moment longer"
The pleasure of the audience at the ex-
pense of the lady increased with every
word, until it was hard to enforce any APP
proach to quiet, so that either party could
be heard.
do not jest any more about it. / will
hurry and send you the dress as soon as
possible"
81 am not jesting. l 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, madam. You are
obliged to hand him over the dress on the
spot"
81 can't undress myself before all these
people and 60 home without any dress
On" said the young woman with anger and
tears.
"You should have thought of that sooner,
| Now Won have no time to lGsa + ihcI
give up the dress of your own accord,
Or" A nod that could not be misinter-
preted brought to the lady's side two off,
GERS of justice, who seemed about to take
upon themselves the office of my lady's
maid.
take your money back and give me
my Dress
"Oh, no, madam; that dress is now
worth more than two hundred rubles to
me-"
How much do you ask for it
"Two thousand rubles," said the officer,
firmly.
81 will pay the sum, the weeping lady's
husband responded promptly. Il have
here five hundred rubles. Give me pen and
paper and will write an order upon my
banker for the remaining fifteen hundred"
After he had written the draft the
worthy pair withdrew, amidst the Kisses
from the audience.
Query: Did the lady ever again let
her dress sweep the street 2-Harpers
Bazdr.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH.-After Timo!eon,
the Corinthian, had freed the Sicilians
and Syracusans from the tyrants that OPP
pressed them, one Demenetus, q busy de-