The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-02-06
AN EXPENSIVE TRAIN.

s----..=------ 80 .sss@-a
At the time when the first open court
of law was, established in Russia, a lady.
dressed with lie. utmost elegance, was
walking ON ,tiia Moscow promenade,
leaning on her husbands arm, and. let.
ting the long Train OF her rich dress
sweep the dnss and, dirt of the street.
! A young uf5ecr, coming hastily from
a side street, vas IA 90 careless as to catch
one OF, his spurs on the lady,s train,
and in an instant q great piece was torn
out of the costly but ,frall material Of
the dress. - q 49, -
/ II beg d thousand pardons, madam .
said the Offices, with d polite bow, and
then was about passing on, when he was
detained .by tie lady $ husband. ef,
on bavs iEsulted my wife 2, = Z
Nothing was further from my infeh-
tion, sir. Your wite's long dress is to
blame for the accident, which sincerely
regret, and beg you once mure to re.
ceive my apologies for any carelessness
OH my part Tbereupon he attempted
to hasten on.
"You shall not escape so" said the
lady with her head thrown back in a
spirital 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, / beg you not TO
detain me. ] am obliged to 60 on duty
at once. AS for two hundred rubles-I
really cannot help the length Of your
dress, yet beg your pardon for not hav-
ing been more cautious,
"You shall not stir, sir. That you
are obliged to go on duty is nothing to
me. My wife is right; the dress must
be made good" .os-.,
The officer grew pale,
"You force me to break through. the
rules Of the service, and shall receive
punishment" 7'l'8I.'
"Pay the two hundred rubles, and you
are free d sa ZIP Fas
The quickly changing color in the
young mans face betrayed how inward
" disturbed he was but stepping close
to them both, he said with apparent self
commands "You will renounce your
claim when / tell you that am a-a-
poor young man, who has nothing to
live on but his officers pay, and the
amount of that pay hardly reaches the
sum Of two hundred rubles in a whole
year. / can, therefore, make no amends
for the misfortune, except by again beg.
ging your pardon" sep,a
20! anybody could say that; but
we'll see if it's true; we'll find out if
you have nothing but your pay. Ide-
clare myself not satisfied with your ex-
cuses, and demand my money!" per-
sisted the lady, in the hard voice of a
thoroughly unfeeling woman
THAT is true-you are right" The
husband added, du,ifully supporting her.
"By good luck we have the open court
now just in session Go with us before
the judge, and we will decide the mat
ter"
All further protestation on the officers
part that he was poor, that he was ex,
pected on duty, etc, did not help mat.
ters. Out of respect for his uniform,
and to avoid an open scene, he had to
60 with them to the court room, where
the gallery was densely packed with a
crowd of people. 3
After waiting some time the lady had
leave to bring her complaint. sa .sf
What have you to answer to this
complaint said the judge, turning to
the officer, who seemed embarrassed and
halt in despair. "On the whole, very
little. As the lateness of the hour, and
being required on duty, compelled me
to hurry, ! did not notice this lady's
train, which was dragging on the ground
] caught one of my spurs in it, and had
the misfortune to tear the dress, Madam
would not receive my excuses, but per-
haps she might find herself more dis
posed to forgiveness, when / again de.
clare, so help me God. that committed
this awkward bluuder without, any mis-
chieyous intention, and I earnestly beg
that she will pardon me-, q .rl,7si rs.s
A murmur ran through the gallery
evidently from the people taking sides
with the defendant, aud against long
trains IN general and the lady in particu-
lar. sgss4aa Ina s5.,i3
The judge called to'order, and asked,
Are you satisfied with the defendants
explanation2 ~ voiFi
Not at all satisfied. I demand two
hundred rubles in payment for my torn
dress" ei Is sa-s,es.,i, si,,..t
Defendant, will you, pay, this sum ?"
Il would have paid it long before this
had ! been in position to do so. Un
fortunately, ! am poor. My pay as an
officer is all l have to live on.""'..-, 49,
You hear, complainant, that the de.
fendant is not able to pay the sum you
demand OF him.. Do,you still wish the
complaint TO stand r
An unbroken stiffness reigned through
out the hall and the young officers
breath could be heard coming hard.
Ell wish it to stand. The law shall
give me my rights"
There ran through the rows of peo.
pie q murmur of indignation that soun-
ded like rushing Of water. i, ,,..-,.
.sConsider, complainant, the conse