Year: 1877

AT the thine when the first open court
of law was established in Russia, lady,
dressed with the utmost elegance, was walk
ing on the Moscow promenade, leaning
upon her husbands arm, and letting the
long train of her rich dress sweep the dust
and dirt of the street.


a young officer, coming hastily from
side street, was so careless as to catch one
of his spurs in the lady's train, and in an
instant Il great piece was torn out of the
costly but frail material of the dress.


Il beg a thousand pardons, madam, " said
the officer, with a polite bow, and then was
about passing on, when he was detained by
the ladys husband


"You have insulted my wife"


Nothing was further from my intention,
sir. Your wife's long dress is to blame for
the accident, which sincerely regret, and
L beg you once more to receive my apologies
for any carelessness on my part" There
upon he attempted to hasten on.


"IOu shall not escape so, said the lady
with her head thrown back in a spirited
way. To-day is the first time L have
worn this dress, and it cost me two hun
dred rubles, which you must make good.


My dear madam, l beg you not to
DE- tain me. l am obliged to 60 on duty at
oLce. As to the two hundred rubles-I
really cannot 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 go on duty is nothing to us. My
wife is right; the dress must be made
good"


The officers face grew pale


"Iou force me TO break through the
rules of the service, and | shall receive
punishment"


Pay the two hundred rubles and you
are free


The quickly changing color in the young
mans face betrayed how inwardly disturbed
he was; but stepping close to them both,
he said with apparent selfcommand


"You will renounce your claim when
tell you that | am a-a-poor man, who
has nothing to live on but his officers pay,
and the amount of that pay hardly reaches
the sum Of two hundred rubles in a whole
year. | can, therefore, make no amends





ging your pardon.


'Oh anybody could say all that but
we'll see if it's true; we'll find out if you
have nothing but your pay declare my
self not satisfied with your excuses, and |
demand my money" persisted the lady, in
the hard voice of thoroughly unfeeling
woman.


'1hat is true-you are right" the hus
band addel, 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 further protestations on the officers
part that he was poor, that he was expected
on duty, and so forth, did not help matters.
Out Of respect for his uniform, and to avoid
an open scene, he had to 90 with them to
the court room, where the gallery was
densely packed with a crowd of people.


Afer waiting some time the lady had
leave to bring her complaint.


whit have you to answer to this COM
plaint ~ said the judge, turning to the
officer, who seemed embarrassed and half
in desl air.


Con the whole, very little. AS the
lateness of the hour, and being required on
duty, mpelled me to hurry, did not
notice this lady's train which was dragging
on the ground. | caught one of my spurs
in it, and had the misfortune to tear the
dress. Madam would not receive my
excuses, but perhaps now she might find
herself more disposed to forgiveness, when
[ again declare, so help me God, that |
committed this awkward blunder without
any mischievous intention, and | earnestly
beg that she will pardon me.


A murmur ran through the gallery,
evidently from the people taking sides with
the defendant, and against long trains in
general and the lady in particular.


The Judge called to order, and asked
care YOU satisfied with the defendants
explanation 2"


"Not at all satisfied. demand two hun
dred rubles in payment for my torn dress.


81 would have paid it long before this
had | been in position to do so. Unfor-
tunately, am poor. My pay as and officer
is all | have to live on"


'You hear, complainant, that the defen-
dant is not able to pay the sum you demand
of him. Do you still wish the complaint
to stand p


An unbroken stiffness reigned through
out the hall, and the young officers breath
could be heard coming hard.


81 wish it to stand. The law shall give
me my rights


There ran through the rows of people
murmur of Indignation that sounded like
the rushing of water


"Consider, complainant, the consequences
of your demand The defendant can be
punished only through being deprived of
his personal liberty, and by that you could
obtain no satisfaction, while to the defendant
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 2"


leT