Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-04-22
THE COST OF A TRAIN.


Al the timo when the first open court of
law was established in Russia, lady,
dressed with tho utmost elegance, was
walking on the Moscow promenade, leaning
upon her husbands arm, aud letting the
long train Of her rich dress sweep the dust
and dirt of tho street.
a young officer, coming hastily from a
slGe street, was SO careless Us to catch one
of his spurs in the lady's train, and in an
instant great piece was torn out of the
costly but frail material of the dress.
81 beg thousand pardons, madam"
said the officer, with polite bow, aud was
about passing on, when he was detained BY
the ladys husband.
"You have insulted my Wife"
"Nothing was farther from my inten-
tions, sir. Your wife's long dress is to
blanc for the accident, which l sincerely
regret, and beg yoN cnce more to receive
my apologies Tor "ry :o.elessncss on my
part Thcreupon he attempted to hasten
on.
"You shall not escape so," said the
lady, with her head thrown back in II
spirited way, "to-day is tho first time |
A"'e WILL Ihio uIcsS, duu III COSt tWU
hundred rubles, which you must make
good"
"My dear madam, I beg you not to
detain me. l am obliged to go on duty at
once. AS to the two hundred rubles- Il
really cannot help tho length of your dress,
yet beg your pardon for not having been
more cautious"
"You shall not stir, sir That you arc
obliged to go on duty is nothing to u.s.
My vito is right; the dress must be made
good"
Tho officers face grew pale.
"You force me to break through the
rules Of the service, md shall receive
punishment"
"Pay tho two hundred rubles and you
arc free"
The quickly changing color in .bc young
mans face showed how inwurdIy disturbed
he was; but stepping close up to them
both he said, with apparent self command:
"You will renounco your claim when
tell you that am "a poor man who has
nothing to 1.-Two on but his officers pay, and
the amount of that pay hardly reaches the
sum oftwo hundred rubles in whole year.
can, therefore, make no amends for the
misfortune except by again begging your
pardon"
"Oh! anybody could say all that; but
we'll see if it's true; we'll find out if YOU
have nothing but your pay. | declare
myself not satisfied with your excuses, and
demand my money" persisted the lady,
In tho hard voice of thoroughly unfcoling
woman
"That is true-you arc right" the hus-
band added, dutifully supporting her.
"By good luck wo have the open court now
just in session. Go with US before tho
judge and he will decide the matter"
All further protestation on tho officers's
part that he was poor, that he was ox-
peected on duty, did not help matters. 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 densoly
packed, with a.orowd of people.
After waiting somo time the lady had
leave to bring her complaint.
"What have you to answer to this com
plain'" said the judge, turning to tho
officer, who seemed embarrassed and half
in despair.
"On tho whole, very little. As the late.
ness Of the hour, and being required on
duty' compelled inc to hurry, did not
notice the lady's train, which was dragging
on tho ground. caught one of nv spurs
IN 1t, and had the misfortune to tear the
dress Madame would not receive nv
excuse, but perhaps sho might end herself
more disposed to forgiveness, when | again
declare, 80 help me God, that I committed
this awkward blunder without any michicy.
Gus intention, and | earnestly bog that she
will pardon me-"
A murmur ran through the gallery,
evidently from the people taking sides
with the defendant, and against long trains
in general, and the lady in particular.
Tho judge called to order, and uskcd:
"Aro you satisfied with the defendants
explanutiou?"
"Not at oil satisfied. demand two
hundred RULES in payment for my torn
dress"
"Defondant, will you pay this sum?'
81 would have paid it long before this
had | been in position to do SO. Unfor-
tunately | am poor. Ny pay as an officer
il all have to live on"
"You hear, complainant, that tho do
fcndant is not able to pay tho sum you
demand Of him Do you still wish tho
complaint to stand2'
An unbroken stiffness roigoed throughout
Aba hall onA tho Mann. nn,no,,.