Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-05-01
MIscEIIAMEous.
AN EXPENSIVE TRAIN.

S.,s T the tune when the first open court of
gy law was established in Russia, . lady
dressed with the utmost elegance, was walk
ing on the Moscow promenade, leaning on
her husbands arm aud letting the long train
OF her rich dress sweep the dust and dirt on
the street.
A young officer, coming hastily from
side street, was SO careless as to catch one
of his spurs on the lady's train, in an instant
a great piece was torn out of the costly but
>trail material of the dress. g-.
Il beg Thousand pardons. madam" 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 further from my intention,
sir. Your wife's long dress is to blame for
the accident, which sincerely regret, and |
beg for you once more to receive my apolo>
gies for any carelessness on my part" There
upon he attempted to hasten on.
You shall not escape so," said the lady
with her head thrown back in spirited
way TO- day is the first time I have worn
this dress, and it cost me two hundred rubles,
which you must make good"
"My dear madam, beg you not to de.
tain me. I am obliged to go on duty at
once. AS for two hundred rubles-I really
cannot help the length of your dress, yet
beg your pardon for not having 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"
The officers face grew pale.
"You force me to break through the rules
of the service, and 1 shall receive punish-
ment." -..... t..
Pay the two hundred rubles, aud you are
free"
The quickly changing color in the young
mans face betrayed how inwsrdly disturbed
he was stepping close to them both, he said
with apparent lt-command. "You will re-
nounce your claim when l tell you that
am 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 whole year. l can,
therefore, make NO amends for the misfortune,
except by again begging your pardon"
ooh anybody could say that but we'll see
il it's true we'll find out if you have nothing
but your pay. declare myself not satisfied
with your excuses, and l demand my money"
persisted the lady, in the hard voice of =
thoroughly uufeelipg woman.
"That is true-you are right" the husband
added, dutifuIly supporting her. ''By good
luck we have the open court now just in ses-
sion. Go with us before the judge, and he
will decide the matter"
All further protesta.ion on the officers
part that he was poor, that he was expected
on duty, etc., did not help matters. Out Of
respect for his uniform. and to avoid an open
scene, he had to go with them to the court
room, where the gallery was densely packed
with q crowd of people.
After waiting some time, the lady had
leave TO bring her complaint.
"Whst have you to answer to this COM
plant 7" said the judge, turning to the OH
cer who seemed embarrassed aud half in
despair.
''On the whole, very little. As the late
ness of the hour, and being required on duty,
com peled me to hurry, did not notice this
lady's train, which was dragging on the
ground. l caught one of my spurs in it, and
had the misfortune to tesr the dress. Madam
would not receive my excuses, but perhaps
che might find herself more disposed to for.
giveness, when again declare, SO help me
God, that committed this awkward bluuder
without sny Dischievous intention, and /,
earnestly beg that she will pardon me-"
A murmur ran through the gallery. evil
IDENTIFY from the people taking sides with the
oelenosnt. anu aRalObt louS LIaibs IN Renelhl
and the lady in particular.
The judge called to order, and asked
"Are you satisfied with the defendants ex-
plapation 2" s.
Not at all satisfied. demand two hun
dred rubles in payment for my torn dress"
Defendant, will you pay this sum ?"
"I would have paid it long before this had
been in a position to do SO. Unfortunately,
am poor. My pay as an officer is all have
to live on"
"You hear, complainant, that the Defend
ant is no. able to pay the sum you demand of
him. Do you still wish the complaint to
stand ?"
An unbroken silence reigned throughout
the hall, and the young officers breath could
be heard coming hard.
.'I wish it to stsnd. The law shall give
me my rights"
There ran through the rows of people q.
murmur of Indignation that sounded like
rushing of water. ....-
"Consider, complainant. the consequences
of your demand The defendant can be pun.
ished only through being deprived OF his per
sonal liberty, and by that ycu could obtain
satisfaction, while to the defendant il
nigh. prove the greatest injury in his rank
and position as an officer, and especially as
be is an officer who Is poor and dependant