Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-03-29

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defendant is not able to pay the sum
you demand Of him. Do you still wish
the complaint to stand?"
An nnbroken stiffness reigned throgh-
out the hall, and the young officers
breath could be heard coming hard.
81 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 con-
sequences of your demand. The de-
PENDANT can be punished only through
being deprived Of his personal liberty,
and by that you could obtain no salts
faction, while to the defendant it might
prove the greatest injury in his rank
and position as an officer, and especial
ly as he is an officer who is poor and
dependent upon his pay. Do you still
insist upon your complaint"
II still insist upon it."
The course the affair was taking
seemed to be painful to the lady's 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 uselessly. The
judge was just going on to further
consideration Of the case, when loud
voice was heard FROM the audience: II
will place two hundred rubles at the
service of the defendant"
There followed a silence, during
which a gentleman forced his way
through the crowd, and placed himself
by the young officers side. t-
"Sir, 1 am the Prince W., and beg
you will oblige me by accepting the
loan ofthe two hundred rubles in ques-
ton"
''Prince, am not worthy Of your
kindness, for don't know if I shall
ever be able to pay the loan," answer
ed the young man, in a voice tremulous
with emotion.
''Take the money, at all events 1
can wait until you are able to return it.
Thereupon the prince held cut two
notes ola hundred rubles each, and
coming close up to him, whispered a
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 polite bow.
II hope, madam, you are satisfied "
With malicious smile she reached
out her hand for the money.
eyes, now I am satisfied"
With scornful glance over the crowd
of spectators, she prepared to leave the
court room on her husbands arm.
''Stop, madam" said the officer, who
suddenly became like another man with
firm and confident manner.
''What do you want?"
The look that the young woman cast
upon him was as insulting as possible.
II want my Dress" he answered,
with slight but still perfectly polite
bow.
''Give me your address, and I will
send it to you."
30, no, my dear madam; 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.
''Order! !" cried the judge. -
"What an insane demandv" said the
lady's husband. my wife can not un-
dress herself here" ...-.
81 have nothing to do with you, sir,
in this matter, but only with the COM
plainant. Be so good, madam, as to
give me the dress Immediately. I am
in a great hurry, my affairs are urgent,
and can not wait 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.
''Do not jest any more about it. I
will hurry, and send you the dress as
soon as possible"
II am not jesting; I demand from
the representative Of the law my own
property-that Dress" said the officer,
raising his voice. H. 2"
The judge. thus appealed to, decided
promptly. -:
1.-THE officer is right, madam. 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. C
"You should have thought Of that
sooner. Now you have no time to lose.
Either give up the dress ofyour own
accord, Or" .,
A nod that could not be misinterpret
ed brought to the lady's side two Off
GERS of justice. who seemed about to
take upon themselves the Office ofmy
lady's maid. p
"Take your money back, and leave
me my DRESS" Is
80, no, madam +; that dress is now
worth more than two hundred rubles to
me-"
"How much do you ask for it?"
1.-TWO thousand rubles," said the
officer firmly.
II will pay the sum- the weeping
lady's husband responded promptly. II
have here five hundred rubles, Give