The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1895-09-21
THE COST OF A TRAIN

At the time when the first open court
of law was established in Russia a lady.
dressed with the utmost elegance, was
walking III the Moscow promenade,
leaning 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
d side street, was SO careless as to catch
one OF his spurs in the lady train, and
IN an instant a great piece was torn out
Of the costly but frail material of the
dress.
'Ibes Il thousand pardons, madame"
said tho officer, with a polite bow, and
d was about passing on when he was
detained by the. lady's husband.
lyon have insulted my wife"
Nothing was farther from my inten-
zion, Sir. Your wife's long dress is to
blame for the accident, which I sincere
!y regret. and 1 beg you once more to
receive my apologies for any careless
ness on my part" T%hereupon he at
tempted to hasten on.
"You shall not escape so," said the
lady. "Today is the first time I have
worn this dress, and it cost 200 rubles,
which you must make good"
my dear madame, I beg you not to
detain me-. I am obliged to go on duty
at once. AS to the 200 rubles, I really
cannot help the length of your dress,
yet I beg your pardon for not having
been more cautious"
lyon shall not stir, sir. That you
are obliged to 60 on duty is nothing to
uA. My wife is right. The dress must
be made good"
The officers face grew pale.
"You force me to break through the
rules of the service, and l shall receive
punishment"
"Pay the 200 rubles, and you are Free"
The quickly changing color in the
young mans face betrayed how inward
y disturbed he was, but stepping close
mp to them both he said, With apparent
self command:
"You will renOunce your claim when
1 tell you that | am Il Q man, who
has nothing to live on but his officers
pay, and the amount Of that pay hardly
reaches the sun of 200 rubles in a
whole year. ! can therefore mako no
amends for the misfortune except by
again begging your pardon"
"Oh, anybody could say all that, but
Well see if it's true. Wen find ont if
you have nothing but your pay. l de-
clare myself not satisfied with your ex-
cuses, and l demand my money" per
sisted the lady i'll the hard voice of a
thoroughly unfeeling woman
THAT is true-you are right" the
husband 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 mat
ser"
All protestations on the officers part
that he was poor, was expected on duty,
aud so forth, did not help matters. To
avoid an open scene he went with them
to tie courtroom, where the gallery was
densely packed with a crowd Of people.
After waiting some time the lady had
leave to bring her complaint.
'Mhat have you to answer to this?'
said the judge, turning TO the officer,
who seemed embarrassed and half in &c
spair.
son the whole very little. AS tho
latenoss of the hour and being require
on duty compelled me to hurry l do
not notice this lady's train, which was
dragging on the ground. l caught one OF
my spurs III il and had the misfortune
TO tear her dress. Madame would not re
selve my excuses, but perhaps TOW 81
Might find herself more disposed to fol
l~lveness whom | again declare that
committed this awkward blunder wit
cut any ni,ch eyous intention, and
earnestly g that Nc will pardon me.
A mu1I.t i, Il / .ough the gallo
evidently / i the yeople taking Ct,
with the { enc; and against l.. !:
trains in stncIsl Il this lady in pa
sicular.
Tho judi tx 20 order and as,st
"A,u you : tn the defcndar =
sxplanati
"Not It d. l demand
xubles TO: = S.