The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1896-01-02
The Cost of a Train.

of the street.
A young officer, coming hastily from
q side street. was SO careless as to cateh
one of his spurs in the lady's train, and
I'm an instant a great piece was torn out
of the costly but frail material of the dress.
81 beg a thousand pardons, madame,
said the officer, with a polite bow. and
then was about passing on when be was de-
tanned by the Iady's husband.
"You have i,,suited my wife"
Nothing was farther from my inter
ton, sir Your wife's long dress is to
blame for the accident, which l sincerely
regret. ard beg you once more to receive
my apologies for any careiessness on m,
part Thereupon he attempted 10
hasten on.
you shall not escape So" said the
lady. To-day is the first time I have
worn this dress, and it cost 200 rubics
which You must make good
My dear madame, ! beg you not to
detain me. am obliged TO GO on duty
at once As to the 200 rubleS, I really
cannot help the length OF your dress,
yet leg your pardon for not having been
more cautious"
You shall not stir, sir. That you are
obliged to go on duty is nothing to us.
NV 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 / shall receive
punishment
PAY the 200 rubIes and you are free"
The quickly changing color in the young
mans face betrayed how inwardly dis
turbcd he was, but stepping close up TO
them both he said, with apparent self
commarl:
You viii renounce your claim when
tell Won that l am a poor man, WHO
has nothing to live ON but his officer S
pay, and the amount OF that ray hardly
reached the sum OF zoo rubics 10 whole
year. ] can therefore make no amends
or the misfortune except by again beg
ging your pardon"
"Oh, ai.iody could say all that, but
Wen see If It's true. Wen find out If
you have nothing but your fay. de-
clare myself not satisfied with your ex-
cuseS, and ! demand my money," per-
sisted the lady in the hard voice or
thoroughly unfceling woman.
THAT is true-you are right the hus-
band added. dutifuily supporting her. by
good luck we have the open court now in
session. Go with us before The judge, and
he viii decide the matter"
All protcstations on the officers part
that he was poor. was expected on duty.
and So forth. did not help matters. To
avoid an open scene he went with them
70 the courtroom, where the gallery was
denseIy packed with a crowd &C people.
After waiting some time the lady had
leave TO bring her complaint.
what have you to answer to this?'
said the judge. turning 10 the officer,
who seemed embarrassed and half in de-
SPAR.
ION the whole, very little. As the
latcnesS of the hour and being required
on duty compelled ME to hurry, 1 did
not notice this lady's train. which was
dragging on the ground. l caught one of
my spars in it and had the misfortune
to tear her dress. Madame would not re-
ceive my excuses. but perhaps now She
might find herself more disposed to for
givencss when again declare that I
committed this awkward blunder with
out any miscellaneous intention, and l
earnestly iitE lllil Sut " III isiltltf liz
nlurnHr ran through the gallery. evil
IDENTIFY from the people taking sides with
the defendant, and against long trains in
general and this lady in particular.
The judge called TO order ard asked:
Are You satisfied with the defendants
explanations
Not ut all satisfied. demand 200
rubles for my tern dress"
Il would have paid 1t long before this
had / been in 4 position TO do so. Unfor-
tunatciy, am poor. My pay as an officer
Is all tina, | 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
. inurmur OF Indignation that sounded like
. rushing Of water.
Consider. complainant, the consequence
Of your demand. The defendant can be pun
lshed only through being deprived OF his
personal liberty, and by that you can
obtain no satisfaction, while to the de-
PENDANT it might prove the greatest injury
TO his rank and position as an officer who
Is poor and dependent upon his pay. Do
you still insist upon your complaint"
~ still insist upon it"
Tie course the affair was taking seemed
20 have become painful TO TIE lady's 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 eco rubles at the serv-
ice OF the defendant"
Daring TIE silence which followed q gen.
tleEan forced his way through the crowd
and placed himself at the young officers
side.
..Sir. an the Prince W and beg you
will accept the loan of the eco rubles in
question:"
Prince, / am not worthy of your kind
ness, for dent know if / shall ever be able
to pay the lean" answered the officer in
. voice tremulous with emotion.
Take the money at all events. can
wait until you are able to return it,"
Thrreupon the prince held out two notes
of 100 rabies each, and coming close to
him whispered few words very softly.
There was a sudden lighting up in the
officers face. He Immediately took the
two notes. and turning 10 the lady handed
them to her with polite bow.
IT hope, madame, you are satisfied"
! With n malicious smile she reached out
Der hand for the money.
YES. Now I am satisfied"
+. With soarnful glance over the crowd Of