The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-12-21
THE COST oF A TRAIN.

the long tram OF ner flcn dreSS sweep the
dust and dirt of the street,
4 young officer, coming hastily from q
.ide street, was go careless as TO catch one
Of his spurs in the lady's train, and in m
instant great piece was torn out of the
costly but frail material of the dress.
IL beg a thousand pardons, madam u
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,"
Nothing was farther from MY inten-
ions, sic. Your wife's long dress is 10
blame for tie accident, which sincerely
regret, and l beg you once more to re-
cefyc my apologies for any carclessness
on my part" Thereupon he attempted
TO hasten on.
"You shall not escape 30" said the
lady, with her head thrown back in q
spirited way. To-day is the first time i
he:e worn this dress, aud it cost two hun
dred rubles, which yon must make good"
my dear madam, beg you not TO de-
tain me. I am obliged to 60 on duty at
once. AS to the two hundred rubles-I
really cannot help the length Of your
dress, yet | beg your pardon for not hav-
ing been more cautious"
Iou suaii Hot SUI, SIT. lHat you are
obliged to go on duty il nothing to us.
Ny wife is right; the dress must Be made
good" = ND OF IT
The officers face grew pale.
"You force me to break through the
rules of the service, and shall receive
punishment"
PAY the two hupd. ID rubles and you
are free" r1 4}4sss
The qpickly changing color In the
young mans face eliowed how inwardly
disturbed he was; but stepping close un
to them both he said, witli:apparent SELF
command:
"You will renounce your claim when |
tell you that l am a-a poor man. who
has nothing to live on but his officers
pay, and the amount Of that paw hardly
reaches the sum of two hundred rub;es in
a'whoIe year.. ! can, therefore. make no
amends for the misfortune except by
again begging your pardon"
"Oh anybody caIild say all that. but
we'll see if it's true; we'll find out if you
have nothing but your pay. l declare
myself not satisfied With YOUR excuses,
and l demand my money" persisted the
lady, in the hard voice oe a thoroupbjv
unfeeling woman.
THAT is true-you are right" the hus.
band added, dutifully 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"
All further protestation On the officers
part that he was poor, that he was ex-
pected on duty, did not help matters.
Out OF respect for his UNIFORM, and to
avoid an open scene, he had to 20 with
them to the court room, whera the galle-
fy was aecsely packed with crowd of
people. ir
After waiting some time, the lady had
leave to bring her complaint.
"What have you to answer TO this COM
plaint?" said the judge, turning to the
officer, who seemed embarrassed and half
iudespaif. y .4
"On the whole, very little. AS the
ateness of the hour, compelled me to
hurry, 4 die, not notice the lady's train,
which syas dragging on the ground, /
caught one of my spurs in it, and had
the misfortune to tear the dress.
Madame would not receive my excuse,
but perhaps she might find herself more
disposed to forgiveness, when again de-
clare so help me God, that ! committed
i:.is awkward blunder without any mis-
chievous intention, and earnestly leg
that she will pardon me-"
4 murmur ran through the gallery,
evidently from the people taking sides
with the defendant, and against long
trains In general, end .he lady IN par.ic-
ular.
The judge called TO order, and asked,
Are you satisfied with the defendants
explanation 2" '''1 '''T''
"Not at all satisfied. I demand two
dress"
Defendant, will you pay this sum-"
,tT9ai3 hs-G; rs:d i long before this
had been ina position to do so. I'm
fortunately I am poor. My pay as an
ofllcer il all have to live on"
You hear, complainant, that the de-
t,endant is not able to pay the sun, yol
demand Of him. Do you still wish the
complaint to stand?"
An unbroken Stiffness reigned through
out the hall, and the young officers
breath could be heard coming hard.
II wish it to stand. The law shall
give ME my rights"
There ran through the rows of people
murmur of indignation that sounded
IKE rushing Of Hater. y
Consider, complainant, the conse-
queIce OF your demand. The defendant
can oe punished only by being deprived
VI ms personal liberty, and by that you
So9la obtain no satisfaction, while to the
aelendant 1t might prove the greatest in
!cs} IN his rank; and position as an officer,
and especially Us he is an officer who is
poor and dependent upon his pay. Do
you stiii insist upon your complaint 2"
M i sui insist upor it." ss.
the course the affair was taking seemed
70 nave become painful to the lady's
,hus9and. He spoke with his wife urgent
y, nnt as could be aeen by the way she
nsta up her head and. she energy with
when she shook it,. quite uselessly. The
Ja9ge was just going on to further con-
s'uer the case, when a loud voice was
neard ar from the audience: s.9
~, viii place, the two hundred rublcs at
~s service of the defendant a7t
.eh9efe followed o silence, during, which
gentleman forced mis- way through the
crowd s and placed himself by the young
Sir. am the Prince of W. and
Ies you viii obliga me by accepting the
, ,Han OF the two hundred rublcs in aues-
Prince ! am not worthy of your kind
"tsss' .t, Tor don't know if shalt ever be
So Sole 70 pay the loan," answered the
ssuaeg man, in Il vc;ce tretndlous with
v.,t take the money at ali events, can
M TS. unIil you are able to return it."
of ofTsteupon the prince held out two notes
clo'a hundred rubles each, and coming
vS, ,Use up 70 bin, Whispered few words
in iII ~ softly. There was asudden lighting