Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-10-02
THE COST OF A TRAIN.

THE COST OF A TRAIN.
At the time when the first open court
of law was established in Russia, lady,
dressed with the utmost elegance, was
walking on the Moscow promenade, lean
ing upon her husbands arm and letting
the long train of her rich dress sweep the
dirt of the street.
A young officer, coming hastily from
a side street, was so careless as to catch
one of his spurs in the lady's train,
and in sn instant great piece was torn
out Of the costly, but frail material Of
the dress.
- beg thousand pardons, madam"
said the officer with a polite bow, and
then was abou, passing on, when he was
detained by the ladys husband.
"You have insulted my wife"
Nothing was farther from my inten-
ton, sir. Your wife's long dress is too
blame for the accident, which sincerely
regret, and beg you once more to re.
ceive my apologies for any carelessness
on my part" Thereupon he attempted
20 hasten on.
'You shall not escape so, said the
lady. To-day is the first time have
worn this dress and it cost two hundred
roubles which YOU must make good"
my dear madame l beg you not to
detain me. am obliged 10 90 on duty
q, once. As to the two hundred
roubles, 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 be on duty is nothing
TO US. My wife is right; the dress
mus, be made good"
The officers face grew pale.
"You force me to break through the
rules Of the service and | shall receive
punishment.
"Pay the two hundred roubles and you
are free"
The quickly changing color in the
young mans face betrayed how inwardly
disturbed he was; bu; stepping close up
to them both be said, with apparent self
command
''Iou will renounce your claim when |
tell you that am poor man, who has
nothing TO live on but his officers pay,
and the amount of that pay hardly reach
es the sum of two hundred roubles in a
whole year. can, therefore, make no
amends for the misfortune, excep, by
again begging your pardon
"Oh, anybody could say all that; but
well see if i, is true; we'll find out if
you have nothing but your pay. l de-
clare myself no, satisfied with your ex-
cuses, and demand my money" per-
sisted the lady, in the hard voice Of
thoroughly unfeeling woman.
That's true-you are right" the hus-
band added du,ifully supporting her.
by good luck we have the open court
now in session. Go with US before the
Judge and be Will decide the matter"
AL protestations on the officers part
that he was poor, and was expected on
duty and so forth did no, help matters.
To ovoid sn open scene he went with
them 70 the courtroom. where the gal
lery was densely packed with crowd Of
people.
After waiting some time the lady had
leave to bring her complaint.
"What have you to say 10 this" said
the Judge. turning TO the officer. who
seemed embarrassed, and half in despair.
"On the whole, very little. AS the
la.eness Of the hour, and being required
on duty compelled me TO hurry, I did no,
notice the lady's train which was drag
ging on the ground. caught one of my
spurs in j, and had the misfortune to tear
her dress. Madame would no, receive
any excuses, bu. perhaps she might fnd
herself more disposed to forgiveness when
! again declare tha, I committed this
awkward blunder wi;hou. any mischisv-
Gus intention. and I earnestly beg that
she viii pardon me-"
A murnur ran through the GALLERY.
evidently from the people taking sides
with the dsfendan, and agains, long
trains in general, and the lady in partic.
ular.
The judge called to order and asked:
care you satisfied with the defendants