Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-07-14
THE TORN TRAIN.
From the German by Mary Beale
Brainerd.
Written for The Loulsylllc Tunes

city of Russia. The gentleman was
known to be one of the richest mer
chants of the city. His wife only
representing her husbands wealth
and wore very expensive walking
costume with long train which
swept the pavement as she walked
along. A young Lieutenant of Drag
oons was walking in great haste from
his private apartments to the Armory.
A lovely young girl bowed and snil-
ed rs he passed along, and as he was
returning her salutation, in most
lover-hke way, his eyes directed to
the opposite side Of the avenue where
she stood near the open window, one
of his spurs caught the long train
worn by the merchants wife. "My
lady, beg your pardon thousand
times" exclaimed the frightened
youth. &c" can hardly express my
deep concern, but hope the damage
is not irreparable."
at is irreparable," the angry lady
retOrted "the train is torn, and my
whole costume is ruined, sir"
''You Will have TO pay for this"
added the husband.
"Of course will" the Lieutenant
declared. "llcre is my address"
and he drew forth his card case, But
the proflered card was angrily refused
by the merchant.
You must pay me before you leave"
he said.
If arrive too late at the Armory
shall be severely punished" the
Lieutenant said-"I beg you, i'm
plOre you, to let me 90 before it gets
too late. How much does the damage
amount tor
"My dress is quite new. This is
the first time ever put it on, so l
shall have to ask the full amount of
its purchase, two hundred roublcs,"
the lady exclaimed nervously.
1.-TWO hundred ronbles my yearly
pay does not amount TO that the
youth cried dismayed.
A crowd of spectators had gathered
round by this time and were listening
to the argument.
"Then you will have to appear be-
fore the court" the lady said. "rhe
court is sitting to-day'-comc, let us
90 there now," the husband added.
"If / do not go straight to the ar
mory l shall be reprimanded and
punished" the unfortunate youth
pleaded. They parleyed for a while
and the merchant threatened TO call a
policeman if the youth did not 20
with him quietly. SO the Lieutenant
had to follow the merchant and his
angry wife to the courthouse. One
of the Judges was unoccupied, and
in few minutes he was in full po-
session of all the facts in the case.
Ills decision was short, sharp and
decisive.
''The Lieutenant must pay instant
" or be carried to prison for debt"
"To pay Immediately is impossible,
cried the Lieutenant ''and does not
your Honor think the price exorbi-
tant ~
"Every one can set price on his
own property according TO his own
Judgment" decided the Judge, "hui
/ would advise the clients to be less
severe" The merchant whispered
something to his wife. lie was i'll
clined to be lenient but his mterces-
sion was repulsed with an energetic
shaking of the head. w4et justice
follow its strict course" the lady said
cJudge, desire you to proceed with
the case"
"Wait minute" cried deep
bass voice, and veteran of old, dec
GRATED with many badges of honor
walked up to the judge. al am Gen.
Miloradowitch, and beg that this
young Lieutenant will accept the
loan of two hundred roubles from
me-"
"But, indeed, 1 can not do it,
groaned the Lieutenant, "for have
no reason now to believe that could
ever get that amount TO return tC
you"
"You will be in situation to re
turn my loan very s0on," said tho
General, and he whispered something
in the Lieutenant's ear. The face o
the accused frightened up immedi
ately. 81 accept the loan," he said
and handing the check to the lady
which the General had given him
She started to leave the courtroom
with her husband.
"There is a trifling something to b
done yet" the Lieutenant said. :"
now request the Judge to aid me il
taking possession of my property"
"What do you mean?" demande'
the Judge.
"That dress is mine for have pait
for it," the Lieutenant calmly assert
ed.
at shall be sent to your address tC
day." the lady replied carelessly.
'No, No, my lady. l now deman
the same justice that you invoke
just now.
demand that this case be arrange
on the spot. The dress is mine.
want my property. So please |
kind enough TO hand it to me in
mediately. |, too, am in haste" Th
spectators all began to laugh.
"But can not take off my dress /
the courtroom" cried the merchant
wife, purple with rage and shame.
"Dut it is my dress now" COOL
replied the officer. The husband in
plOred the Lieutenant not to carr
this joke on any longer, and assure
him that the dress should reach h
rooms directly.
IL am not joking at ALL" the Licl
tenant said. "And | now beg til
Judge on my part to letjustice folio
its strict course"
"The Lleutenant's request is just
dryly remarked the Judge. ole III
bought the dress, and he can demal
the article which was sold him c
the spot. Do you refuse TO give hi
the dress?'
"Of course" screamed the lady.
will never take off my dress in TIL
courtroom"
The Judge nodded to the Sergeau
an old, cross, ugly man,who strobe I
to the lady witha threatening loo
The audience began to laugh mo
audibly.
"Stop!" cried the merchant.
will buy the dress back again. lie
are your two hundred roubles.'
"This il not sufficient" ansWerC