The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-02-12
A PETTY
TYRANT
BY MARGARET BARR

Q sary Of the evacuation OF the countr,
{ by the Austrians much as we Ameri
cans celebrate the Fourth of July.
On one Of these anniversaries tw,
ladies' were walking on a street II
! Milan. They were Austrian tourists Of
high degree. one of them the Counties.
Omega. Being citizens of that empire
which had lost its hold on Italy, II II
not to be expected that they would fee
any sympathy with the celebration.
While passing some persons who
were firing explosives man set of a
pack of flrecrackers, several Of which
snapped on to the countess dress, burn
ing holes in IT. She was in no mood
for such a misfortune and resolved on
being revenged on the Italian who had
occasioned It. Calling on a policeman,
she showed him the damage that had
been done. pointed to the perpetrator
and demanded his arrest. that she
might recover demages The policeman
agreed to do her bidding IL she would
accompany them. She consented. and
the three went to the station, which
happened to be only block away.
The officer in charge suggested that
since the Judge before whom the case
would be tried was then holding court
and the ladies' desired to leave Milan
the next morning they go at once be-
fore him and see IL they could not get
| 1t disposed of without delay. This
| pleased the irate countess, and they
went to the courtroom.
Now. gentleman who had been
walking the streets enjoying the cele-
bration had witnessed the accident and
| followed the parties first to the police
| station and thence 10 the courtroom.
There be listened with marked atten-
ton to the proceedings. The lady
claimed that the dress was worth 1000
Ira. or 5000 She had bought 1t in
Milan only the day before and sum-
moned the merchant who sold 1t to her
to bear witness to the price paid. This
established her claim. and. as to the
man who had burned 1t. he confessed
that he had done so, but accidentally.
The Judge ordered him to pay for the
dress. bnt be said that he was work
man and without any means whatso.
ever.
He offered to bind himself to pay
by installments. but the lady. who was
revengeful rather than needy, declined
to accept such terms. The judge there
upon said that in default of payment
and costs the poor fellow must go to |
Jail until he could raise the money.
Then" said the man. II shall have |
to remain In Jail. for there is no pos
sibe way in which ! can raise such a I
sum except by working for 1t, and | I
need all can earn to support myself |
and my family"
The Judge endeavored to persuade |
the lady to be lenient. but she declared /
that the man could pay if he would.
and she would make no compromise.
I'm that case" said the judge. II
have no discretion in the matter but to
send the man to jail"
At this point the gentleman who had
followed the party stepped forward
and said to the judge. II will pay the
lady the 1000 Ira she paid for the
dress. but In that case II will be mine.
viii II not?'
The Judge ruled that it would. The
lady. whose ire had had time to cool.
seemed willing to accept the solution.
and the stranger. taking out pocket
book. handed her the money and paid
the costs. Then he said
Judge. know who this lady Is. for
/ have met her at court In Vienna.
though she does not remember me.
Her Ire at the man who unintention-
ally burned her dress was occasioned
by the fact that our people are today
celebrating the expulsion OF our for
mer masters. her countrymen. She has
treated the unfortunate man with great
rigor. and | propose to be equally ex-
acting. The dress she wears is mine.
and demand II Immediately"
The countess. somewhat abashed at I
this speech. said that she would de- !
liver the dress as soon as she could go
to the hotel and replace it with anoth-
Pr one.
You refused" said the stranger, ito !
give this man time. and ! refuse to
give you time. demand my prop
srty"
The lady looked at the Judge to !
earn II be would support that demand. :
rhe judge had already recognized the !
stranger and with great Difference to
him said that he had right to compel
he immediate delivery of his prop !
,rty. !
''whatr' exclaimed the countess. DO
-ou mean TO sorce me to disrobe
Iere?"
You showed no mercy" replied the
purchaser. land will show you
Ione"
And If refuse your insolent de-
nand?" she asked. looking again at the
Judge.
~ shall send you to JAIL" replied the
alter. y
There was a knot that only the pur-
haser could cut he did il by making
be lady an offer OF her dress for $500
ra. Since she must either accept II or
ppear in public without 1t she an
rily consented. The stranger took the
loney and handed IL to the man who :
ad burned the dress. saying at the =
ame time TO the lady:
my object. countess. has been sim
" 10 save this man from your tyran.