Daily Republican., 1884-12-27
ARROGANCE REBUKED.

AhhUUANCE KEDU kEU.
1t Was in the early days of Russian
law, when trial courts had Just begun
to take the place of a tyrant's will. A
rich lady, with sweeping train, was
walking with her husband on the Mos
COW promenade. A young officer Of the
guard, meeting them suddenly at cor
ner, accidentally struck one Of his spurs
against the lady's train, and tore q
large piece out Of the costly cloth.
The lady was very angry, but the off,
GERS time was precious, for he was on
his way TO his post of duty, and fearful
of being late. He made q profound
apology and was about to hurry away.
Sop sir" said the husband. "You
have insulted my wife,"
assure you 1t was purely acciden.
tai. Nothing could be farther from
my intention than to insult your
Pay me for the dress you have
spoiled, then p cried the lady excited
~. To day Is the first time l have
worn 1t, and 1t cost me two hundred
roubles. "
Really, madam, l cannot help the
great cost Of your dress, or its great
length, which-begging your pardon
Was truly the cause of the damage
rather than any fault Of mine. l hope
you will accept my apology, and allow
me TO 20 on. i shall be missed, and my
absence from duty may cost me my po-
sition, and"
"That makes no difference" in.
terrupted the husband. "My wife Ia
right. You must pay the value of the
dress"
The young officer hesitated, his face
betraying extreme distress.
Sir," said he in o changed tone, 81
am utterly unable to raise such sum.
have nothing but my army pay, and
that amounts to scarcely two hundred
roubles In year."
Easy to sayp sneered the lady.
we will find out whether you can raise
the money or not. l shall not accept
your apology"
"No, and you shall make terms with
us before you Co." chimed In the hus-
band. Fortunately, the court 10 now
sitting yon shall step in with us. sir
and let the judge decide this matter"
The officer protested, but all he could
say produced no impression ON his un
feeling prosecutors; and ashamed OF ar
alteration on the street, he accompa
MED them into the courtroom.
After considerable delay Q hearing
WAS given, and the judge, after listening
to the charge, demanded the defend
ants side Of the story.
The mortified officer could only re
peat his explanation, declaring unde
the solemniiy of his oath that he wa
Iguilty of nothing but an unluCky mis-
lstep, tor which he had already hum bly,
Iapologized, and thus made all the repa
ration in his power.
Madam, are you satisfied ?" aske'
the Judge.
mo, Your Honor. insist that h
shall pay me two hundred rOubles, tn
price OF my ruined dress"
Defendant, will you settle on thes
terms ?"
~ cannot, Your Honor. 1 am
poor man, dependent entirely on m,
officers pay"
. Plaintiff. you hear his statement
Do you still press your demand ?"
, 81 do; the law will give me m
rights
I. The Judge reminded the madam tina
, az the case stood her only redress wa
in imprisoning the defendant, eours
which could be of no profit to herself
h and would greatly injure him but sh
still persisted In her claim.
The crowd listening In the gallerie
= OF the court broke into angry murmur
70 The woman's husband whispered SOM
% thing In her ear, at which she shoe
% her head impatiently. There was
" painful pause while the Judge Col
10 sidered.
'ol Suddenly a voice In the hall sail
70 loudly and distinctly.
70 ~ will lend defendant two hundre
roubles."
sol An excited whisper ran through Il
" thropg. 1t 10 Prince Wendikoff ]"
And in another minute Prince We
20 dikoff approached the bar, and forc'
"a two hundred rouble notes into the I
% luctant officers hand.
Take your own time to pay me
he said in a low tone can walt
= "a And then added another remark, In
s close whisper.
) The young officers face underwent a
instant change. Accepting the mon'
with thanks, he handed lit his pros
cutOr.
C Madam, are you satisfied ?" .
20 am, SIR" she replied, greedi
60lxluR LILO uOtoS, ANU tuoh suA Il
with lofty air, she was about to mar
from the courtroom.
!. "Stop, madam am not satisfied
The officers tone was peremptory al
startling.
What do you want ?" demand
the aristocratic lady, facing him wi
y an insolent look.
Ii want my dress"
10 For the first time, the proud wom'
euailed. Her husband turned pa
Both realized the situation fully no
Fate had retaliated their extortion up
y themselves.
ID "Give me your name and direction
q, she faltered. IT will eend you t
IL dress.
ir want the dress now"
Q. The courtroom rang with cries
p delighted appreciation, which the She
IFS could scarcely silence. The wont
land her husband appealed to the JUDI
Every map can claim his own
es answered the stern ned faced magistra,
n "This gentleman has right to
II property which he has fairly purchas
and he may demand 1t at once"
Order order p' cried the officers
the law as the audience again shout
II and clapped their applause. The p.
IN pie could not conceal their sympat
OF with the innocent man 30 relentless
pushed to the wall by his hard accuse
and now 30 suddenly and STRANGELY pill
ed in position to punish them.
wi The painful scene conld have but 0