The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-10-12
The Cost of a Train.


walking ON the Moscow promenade, lean
ING upon her husband arm and letting
the long train of her rich dress sweep the
dirt of the street.
A yonng officer coming hastily from Il
side street. was so careless as to catch one
of his spurs in the lady train. and in an
instant Il great piece was torn out Of the
costly but frail material Of the dress.
Il beg Il thousand pardons, madame.
said the officer, with polite bow, and
then was about passing on when he was
detained by the lady $ husband.
You have insulted my wife,
Nothing was farther from my inten-
ton sir. Your wife's long dress is to
blame for the accident. which | sincerely
regret, and beg you once more to receive
my apologies for any carelessness on my
part. Thereupon he attempted to hasten
on.
You shall not escape So said the
lady. To-day is the first time [ have
worn this dress. and it cost 200 rubles,
which you must make good.
My dear madame, beg You not to
detain me- am obliged to 90 on duty at
once As to the 200 rubles really can
not 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 60 on duty is nothing to us Ny
=, 10, 10 10
GOOD
The officer face grew pale
You force me to break through the
rules Of the service. and | shall receive
punishment.
Pay the 200 rubles, and you are free.
The quickly changing color in the young
mans face betrayed how inwardly dis
turbed he was. but stepping close up to
them both he said. with apparent self
command
You will renounce your claim when |
tell you that [ am poor man, who has
nothing to live on but his officer 5 pay,
and the amount of that pay hardly reaches
the sum Of 200 rubleS in Il whole year. |
can therefore make no amends for the mis-
fortune except by again begin" your
pardon.
oh, anybody could say all that, but
we Il see if it true. Wen find out if
you have nothing but your pay. declare
myself not satisfied with your excuses. and
| demand my money. persisted the lady
in the hard voice of Il thoroughly unfeelin@
woman.
That is true-you are right the hus-
band added, dutifully supporting her.
BY good luck we have the open court
now in session Go with us before the
Judge, and he will decide the matter
All protestations on the officer part
that he was poor, was expected on duty,
and 50 forth, did not help matters. To
avoid an open scene he went with them to
the courtroom, where the gallery was
densely packed with crowd Of people.
After waiting some time the lady had
leave to bring her complaint.
what have you to answer to this ?
said the Judge, turning to the officer who
seemed embarrassed and half IN despair
On the whole very little As the
lateness of the hour and being required on
duty compelled me to hurry did not notice
this lady's train. which was dragging ON
the ground. | caught one Of my spurs in
il and had the misfortune to tear her dress.
Madame would not receive my excuses
but perhaps now she might find herself
more disposed to forgiveness when | again
declare that | committed this awkward
blunder without any mischievOus inten
ton. and | earnestly beg that she will par
don me-
\ murmur ran through the gallery, evi-
IDENTITY from the people taking sides with
the defendant, and against long trains in
general and this lady in particular.
The Judge called to order and asked.
Are you satisfied with the defendant
explanations :?
Not AT all satisfied. | demand POO
rubles for my torn dress.
Defendant, will you pay this sum?
Il would have paid it long before this
had | been in a position to do SO. I'm
fortunately | am poor Ny pay as an
officer is all that have to live on.
You hear, complainant. that the de-
PENDANT is not able TO pay the sum you
demand of him. Do you still wish the
complaint to stand
Il wish it to stand The law shall give
me my rights.
There ran through the rows Of people
murmur of Indignation that sounded like
rushing of water.
Consider. complainant. the consequence
Of your demand The defendant can be
punished only through being deprived of
his personal liberty, and by that you can
obtain no satisfaction, while to the defend
ant it might prove the greatest injury in
his rank and position as an officer who is
poor and dependent upon his pay. Do
you still insist upon your complaint :?
Il still insist upon it.
The course the affair was taking seemed
to have become painful to the lady hus-
band He spoke with his wife urgently.
but without effect The Judge was going
on to further consideration of the case.
when loud voice was heard from the
audience
II will place the 200 rubles at the
service Of the defendant !
During the silence which followed a
gentleman forced his way through the
crowd and placed himself at the young |
officer side.
Sir, am the Prince W aud beg /
you will accept the loan of the 200 rlbles
in question.
Prince, | am not worthyof your kind
ness, for | don't know if shall ever be
able to pay the loan, answered the officer
in voice tremulous with emotion.
Take the money at all events. can
wait until you are able to return it.