Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-02-13
ARROGANCE REBUkED.

ARROGANCE REBUkE ED.
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 a
large piece out of the costly cloth.
The lady was very angry, but the
officers time was precious, for he was
on his way to his post OF duty, and fear
full of being late. He made profound
apology, and was about to hurry away.
"Stop, SIR" said the husband. "4ou
have insulted my wife"
81 assure you it was accidental.
Nothing could be farther from my in
tcntion than to insult your wife,"
"Pay me for the dress you have spoil
ed, then - CT led the lady excitedly.
To-day is the first time have worn It,,
and il 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. hope
you will accept my apology, and allow
me to 90 on. | shall be missed, and my
absence from duty may cost me my po-
sition, and"
"That makes no difference" inter-
| rupted the husband. "My wife is right.
You must pay the value of the dress.
The young officer hesitated, his face
betrayed his extreme distress.
"Sir," said he, in changed tone, Il
am utterly unable to raise such IA sum.
| have nothing but my army pay, and
that amounts 20 scarcely two hundred
roublss in whole year"
EASY to say!" sneered the lady
"We will find out whether you can
raise the money or not. | shall not ac-
cept your apology"
"No, and you shall make terms with
us before you CO." chimed in the huS-
band. "Fortunately, the court is now
sitting; you shall step in with us, sir,
and let the judge decide this matter"
The officer protested, but all he could
saw produced no impression on his un-
feeling prosecutors; and ashamed OF an
alteration on the street, he accompa-
MED them into the courtroom.
After considerable delay hearing
was given, and the judge, after listen
ing to the charge, demanded the de-
fendant's side of the story.
The mortified Officer could only re-
peat his explanation, declaring under
the solemnity of his oath that he was
guilty of nothing but an unlucky mis-
step. for which he had already humbly
apologized, and thus made all the repa-
ration in his power.
MADAM, are you satisiied?" asked
the judge.
"No, your Honor, insist that he
shall pay me two hundred roubles, the
price of my ruined dress"
Defendant, will you settle on these
terms?"
81 cannot, your Honor. | am poor
man, dependent entirely upon my off,
GERS pay"
"Plaintif, you. hear his statement,
Do you still press your demand?"
81 do; the law will give me my
rights"
The Judge reminded the madam that
As the case stood her only redress wa:
in imprisonTng the defendant, course
which could be of no profit TO herself,
and would greatly injure him; but she
still persisted in her claim.
The crowd listening in the galleries
of the court broke into angry murmurs
The woman's husband whispered some.
thing in her ear, at which she shook
her head impatiently. There was Z
painful pause while the judge consid.
cred.
Suddenly voice in the hall said
loudly and distinctly:
IL will lend defendant two hundred
roublss."
An excited whisper ran through the
throng.
at is Prince Wendikoff!'
And in another minute Prince Wen
dikoff approached the bar, and forced
two hundred rouble notes into the re-
luctant officers hand. "Take your OWL
time to pay me-" he said in a low tone
81 can wait" And then added another
remark in close whisper.
The young officers face underwent
! all instantchapge. Accepting the money
with thanks, he handed it to the prose
cutor.
MADAM, are you satisfied"
! 81 am, sir" she replied, greedily