Year: 1876




but We'll see if it's true; we'll find out
if you have nothing but your pay. / de-
clare myself not satisfied with your ex-
cuses, and demand my money" per-
sisted the lady, in the hard voice Of
thoroughly unfeeling woman.


"That is true-you are right" the
husband added, dutifully supporting
her. BY good luck we have the open
court now just in session. Go with us
before the Judge and he will decide the
matter.''


All further protestation on the officers
part that he was poor, that he was ex-
pected on duty, and so forth, did not
help matters. Out of respect for his
uniform, and to avoid an open scene,
he had to 60 with them to the court
room, where the gallery was densely
packed with crowd Of people.


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


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


"On the whole, very little. As the
lateness of the hour, and beng required
on duty, compelled 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 misfor-
tune to tear the dress. Madame would
not receive my excuses, but perhaps now
she might find herself more disposed to
forgiveness, when l again declare, so
help me God, that I committed this
awkward blunder without any mis-
chievous intention, and l earnestly beg
that she will pardon me.''


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


The Judge called to order, and asked,
sAre you satisfied with the defendants
explanationp"


"Not at all satisfied. demand two
hundred rubles in payment for my torn
dress.''


defendant, will you pay this sum?"


81 would have paid it long before
this had been in position to do so.
Unfortunately am poor. My pay as
an officer is all l have to live on"


"You hear, complainant, that the
defendant is not able to pay the sum
you demand of him. Do you still wish
the complaint to stand?"


An unbroken stiffness reigned
throughout 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
a murmur of indignation that sounded
like rushing of water.


"Consider, complainant, the conse-
quences of your demand. The defend
ant 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 posi-
ton as an officer, and especially as he
is an officer who is poor and dependent
upon his pay. Do you still insist upon
your complaint"


81 still insist upon it."


The course the affair was taking
seemed to have become painful to the
lady's husband. He spoke with his
wife urgently, but, as could be seen by
the way she held up her head and the
energy with which she shook it, quite
uselessly. The Judge was just going
on to further consideration of the case,
when a loud voice was heard from the
audience:


ST will place the two hundred rubles
at the service of the defendant
There followed a silence, during
which gentleman forced his way
through the crowd and placed himself
by the young officers side.


"Sir, / am the Prince W, and
beg you will oblige me by accepting
the loan of the two hundred rubles in
question"


"Prince, l am not worthy of your
kindness, for / don't know if I shall
ever be able to pay the loan" answered
the young man, in q voice tremulous
with emotion.


"Take the money, at all events.
can wait until you are able to return it. .
Thereupon the Prince held out two notes
of q hundred rubles each, and coming
close up to him, whispered few words
vary softly. There was sudden light
ing up of the officers face. He imme
diately took the two notes, and, turning
toward the lady, handed them to hel
with polite bow.


81 hope, madame, you are satisfied.


With q malicious smile she reached
out her hand for the money.


$ Yes; ,sosc am satisfied"


With a scornful glance over the GROVE
of spectators, she prepared 70 leave th'
Courtroom on her husbands arm.
"Stop, madame" said the officer