Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1880-08-05
TEE COST oFA TRAIN.


Russia, lady dressed with the ut
most elegance, was walking on. the
Moscow promenade, leaning upon
her husbands arm, and letting the
] long train of her rich dress sweep
i the dust and dirt OF the street.
A yonng officer, coming hastily
from a side street, was SO careless
as to catch one of his spurs in The
lady's train, and in an instant q
great Ye;ee WAS torn ont of the
costly but frail material OF the oress
81 beg a Thousand partlons, mad
ame,' said the officer, with polite
bow, and then was passing on,
when be was detained 10y the lady 's
hHobaEd.
sYou, have insulted my wife
Nothing was tHIther from in
tention, sir, Your wiIe's long dress
was to blame fer the accident,
which I sincerely regret, and l beg
you once more to receive my apol-
ogies for any carelessness on my
part Thercupon he attempted to
hasten on.
sYou shall not escape so, said
the lady with her head thrown back
in a spirited way. To-day is the
first time | have worn this dress,
and it cost two llspdred rubles,
which Won must make good
sMy dear madame, ! beg you
not to detain me. ! am obliged to
go Oh dnty ct once. As tc the two
hundred rubles-4 really cannot
help the length Of your dress, yet |
beg pardon tor not being more
cautious
sYou shall not stir, sir. That
you are obliged to go OH duty is
nothing to us. My wife is right ;
the dress must be made good
The officer grew pale.
You force Inc 10 break the rules
of the service, and ! shall receive
punishment
PAY the two hundred rnbles,
and yoa are tree
The quick changing color OF the
young mans face betrayed how in
wardly disturbed he was; but step
ping up 81 >se to them he said, with
apparent self command +:
sYou will lcnounce Jour claim
when | tell yop that | am a-a-
poor man who has nothing to live
op but his officers pay, and that
ray hardly rea,iIe2 Ike sum of two
hundred rutles in whole year
eau therefore make no amends
tor the misfortune, except by again
begging your pardon
"Qh, anybody could say all that;
but WE'LL find out it you have
nothing but your pay. declare
myselt not satisfied with your ex-
cuses, ard deinard my money
PERSISTED the lady, in the hard yoiqe
OF an nnteeIing woman.
.That is true--vou are right the
husband added, dutifuily support
ing 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 futher protcstations on the
officers part that he was poor, that
he was expected on duty, and SO
forth, did not help matters. Out
OF respect to his uniform, and to
avoid scene, he had to 60 Witl,
them to the court room, where the
gallery was dcnsely packed with a
crowd OF people.
After waiting some time the
lady had leave to bring her COM
plaint.
what have you to answer for
this complaint said tne judge,
turning to the officer, whu seemed
enbarI assed and hail in despair.
| sOn the whole, very little. A.
the lateness OF the hour, and being
required on duty compelled me t,
hurry, [ did pot notice this lady.
train, WHICH was dragging on the
ground [ caught pne of my spurs
in 1t, and had the misfortune to
ter the dress. Madame wonle
not recciys my excuses, but per-
haps nov she might find hersel
more disposed TO forgiveness, whel
l declare, SO help me God, that
committed this awkward .blnnde
without any mischevious intention
and | earnestly beg that size vii
pardon mo-
A mnr,nur ran through the gal
lery, evidently from the peopl
taking sides with the defendent
and against long trains i,
general, and the lady in particular
The judge called to order, an,
: asked. sArc you satisfied with tn
defendants explanation q
E Not at all satisfied. 1 5eman
two hundred rubles in payment 70
my torn DRESS
Defendant, will you Fay thi