Stranica 77 [77]
OCR
cc Who are you?" said Mr. Fang, The old gentleman pointed with some surprise to his card. 6 Officer!” said Mr. Fang, tossing the card contemptuously away with the newspaper, “ who is this fellow ?” s My name, sir," said the old gentleman, speaking like a gentleman, and consequently in strong contrast to Mr. Fang, —*my name, sir, is Brownlow. Permit me to inquire the name of the magistrate who offers a gratuitous and unprovoked insult to a respectable man, under the protection of the bench.” Saying this, Mr. Brownlow looked round the office as if in search of some person who could afford him the required information. “ Officer!” said Mr. Fang, throwing the paper on one side, “ what’s this fellow charged with ?” “He’s not charged at all, your worship,” replied the officer. " He appears against the boy, your worship.” His dac e knew this perfectly well ; but it was a good annoyance, and a safe one, “ Appears against the boy, does he?” said Fang, surveying Mr. Brownlow congee from head to foot. ‘ Swear “ Before Iam sworn I must beg to say one word,” said Mr. Brownlow; “and that is, that I never, without actual experience, could have believed úg “Hold your tongue, sir!” said Mr. Fang peremptorily. “| will not, sir!” replied the spirited old gentleman. “Hold your tongue this instant, or Ill have you turned out of the office!” said Mr. Fang. “ You’re an insolent impertinent fellow. How dare you bully a magistrate !” What!” exclaimed the old gentleman, reddening. “Swear this person!” said Fang to the clerk. “I’ll not hear another word. Swear him !” Mr. Brownlow’s indignation was greatly roused ; but, reflecting that he might injure the boy bY giving vent to it, he suppressed his feelings, and submitted to be sworn at once. “ Now,” said Fang, “ what’s the charge against this by? What have you got to gay, sir?” “]T was standing at a book-stall—* Mr. Brownlow began. “Told your tongue, sir!” said Mr. * Policeman !—where "s the policeman?t Here, swear this man. Now, policeman, what is this ?” The policeman with becoming humility related how he had taken the charge, how he had searched Oliver and found nothing on his person; and how that was all he knew about it. * Are there any witnesses?" inquired Mr. Fang. 6 None, your worship,” replied the policeman. Mr. Fang sat silent for some minutes, and then, turning round to the prosecutor, said, in a towering passion, “ Do you mean to state what your complaint against this boy is, fellow, or do you not? You have been sworn. Now, if you stand there, refusing to give evidence, I’]l punish you for disrespect to the bench ; I will, b 4 By what, or by whom, nobody knows, for the clerk and jailer coughed very loud just at the right moment, and the former dropped a heavy book on the floor; thus preventing the word írom being heard— accidentally, of course. — With many interruptions, and repeated insults, Mr. Brownlow contrived to state his case; observing that, in the surprise of the moment, he had run after the boy because he saw him running away, and expressing his hope that, if the magistrate should believe him, although not actually the thief, to be connected with thieves, he would deal as leniently with him as justice would allow. “He has been hurt already,” said the old gentleman in conclusion. “And I fear,” he added, with great energy, locking towards the bar—" I really fear that he is very ill.” 6 Oh! yes; I dare say!” said Mr. Fang, with asneer. ‘Come; none of your tricks here, you young vagabond; they won’t do. What’s your name?” Oliver tried to reply, but his tongue failed him. He was deadly pale, and the whole place seemed turning round and round. “What’s your name, you hardened scoundre] ?” thundered Mr. Fang. “ Officer, what’s his name?” This was addressed to a bluff old fellow in a striped waistcoat, who was standing by the bar. He bent over Oliver, and repeated the inquiry; but finding him really incapable of understanding the question, and knowing that his not replying would only infuriate the magistrate the more, and add to the severity of his sentence, he hazarded a guess. “ He says his name’s Tom White, your gual said this kind-hearted thie® taker, 3
