Year: 1876

held up her head and the energy with
which She shook it, quite uselessly. The
judge was just going on 10 further con
slider the case, when a loud voice was
heard from the audience


II will place the two hundred ruble-
at the service Of the defendant"


There followed a silence, during which
gentlcmanaorced his way through the
crowd and placed himself by the young
officers side.


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


"Prince, am not worthy of your
kindness, for ] don't know ii shall ever
be able TO pay the loan" answered the
young man, in n voice trcmulous with
emotion.


Take the money at all events, ] can
wait until you are able to return it."
Thercupon the prince held out two notes
of hundred rubles each, and coming
! close up to him, whispered few words
very softly. There was n sudden light
ing in the young officer's face. lie imme'
diatcly took the two notes. and turning
toward the lady, handed them to her
with polite bow.


81 hope, madame, you are satisfied.


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


"Yes; now am satisfied


With scorniul glance over the crowd
of spectators, she prepared To leave the
court room on her husbands arm.


Stop, madame" said the officer, who
had suddenly become like another man,
with firm and confident manner


What do you want ~
/ The look that the young woman cast
upon him was as insulting as possible.
:" / want my Dress" he answered, with
y slight but still perfectly polite bow.


Give me your address, and will
send il to YOU"


"Oh. no, my dear madame, am in
the habit OF taking my purchases with
me at once. Favor me with the dress
Immediately


A shout of appreciation came from the
gallery.


"Ordcr w cried the judge.


What an insane demand said the
lsdy's husband. "My wife cannot I'M
dress herself here"


81 have nothing to do with you, sir,
in this matter, but only with the com
plainant he so good, madame, as to
give me the dress Immediately. | am in
great hurry; my affairs are urgent,
and cannot wait moment longer"


The pleasure of the audience at the
expense of the lady increased with ever
word. until it was hard to enforce any
approach to quiet, 80 that either party
could be heard.


do not Jest any more about it. |
will hurry and send you the drcs. As
coon as possible"


81 am not jesting. demand from
the representative Of the law my own
property-that dress" said the officer,
raising his voice.


The judge, thus appealed To, decided
promptly.


"The officer is right, madame. You
are obliged TO hand him over the dress on
the spot


81 can't undress myself here before all
these people, and 90 home without any
dress on" said the Young woman, with





you should have thought of that
sooner. Now you have no time to lose
Either give up the dress of your own ac-
cord, Or A nod that could not be
misinterpreted brought to the iady'- side
two officers OF justice, who seemed about
to take upon themselves the Office Of my
lady's maid


Take your money back, and leave me
my dress


ooh, no, madame that dress i, now
worth more than two hundred rubles to
me.


"iIow much do you ask for il ~


1.-TWO thousand rublcs, - said the officer
firmly.


Il will pay the !sum," the weeping
lady's husband responded, promptly, ~
have here FIVE hundred rubles. Give me
pen and paper and will write an order
upon my banker for the remaining fifteen
hundred


After he had written the draft the
worthy pair withdrew, amidst hisses
from the audience.


Query: Did the lady ever again let
her dress sweep the street.