Year: 1877

a lady dressed with the utmost ele
gance, was walking on the Moscow
promenade, leaning on her husband
arm, and letting the long train of he
rich dress sweep the dust and dirt o
the street.


A young officer, coming hastily frou
side street, was so careless as to catcl
one Of bis spurs in the lady's train
and in an instant great piece wa
torn out Of the costly but frail mate
rial Of the dress.


I beg a thousand pardons, madame
said the officer, with polite bow, ane
then was abont passing on, when he
was detained by the lady's husband.


you have insulted my wife


'Nothing was further from my in
tentions, sir. Your wife's long dress
| is to blame for the accident, which
sincerely regret, and I beg you once
more to receive my apologies for any
carelessress on my part Thereul o;
he attempted to hasten on.


You shall not escape so, said th'
lady with her head thrown back in d
spirited way. To-day is the first time
| have worn this dress, and it cost
me two hundred rubles, which you
must make gool.


My dear madame, beg Won not tc
detain me. | am obliged to 90 on du.
ty at once. As to the two hundred
rubIes really cannot help thelengtl
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 wife is right. the dress
must be made good.


The officers face grew pale.


'Yon force Inc to break through the
rules Of the service, and | shall re,
ceive punishment.


PAY for the two hundred rubles and
vou are free.


The quickly changing color in the
young man ) face betrayed how in.
warllv disturbed he was but step.
ling close to Them both, he said with
apparent self.command:


You will renounce Your claim
when tell yod 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 ruples in a " wlole year
I can, therefore, make no amends for
the misfortune, except by again beg
ging your pardon.


"Oh, anybody could say all that
but We see if it's true we'll find
out if YOU Lave nothing but Your pay
| declare myself not satisfied with
your excuses. and | demand ny mon
ey, persisted the lady, in the hard
voice of a thoroughly unfeellng won
an.


That is true-you are right the
husband added, dutifully supporting
her. by good luck We have the
open cour. now in session. Go with
us before the Judge and he will de-
ciIe the matter.


All further protestations on the Of
ficer's 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, be had to 90 with them to the
court room, where the gallery was
densely packed with crowd OF peo.
pie.


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


What have you to answer to this
complaint said the judge, turning tc
the officer, who seemed embarrassed
and half in despair.


On the whole very little. As the
lateness of the hour, and being re.
quired on duty, compelled me to hur.
ry, 1 did not notice this lady's train
which was dragging on the ground
l caught one Of my spurs in it and
had the mifortune to tear the dress
Madam would not receive my excus.
es, but perhaps now she might find
he. self more disposed to forgiveness
when I again declare, so help me God
. that l committed this awkward blum