MY AUNT'S GREAT POLICE CASE. 243 



Wavering Policeman, who evidently does his best to com- 

 fort him, without committing himself to any view which may 

 compromise him in his official character. 



A vagrant, all dirt, rags, and tatters, has stepped into the dock. 



" Poor fellow ! " says my Aunt. 



They are the first words she has uttered since the advent 

 of INIr. Sharply, whose abrupt manner has utterly disarranged 

 all her ideas. She is gradually recovering herself. But I 

 perceive that she is more or less hysterical, and I begin to 

 prepare myself for a scene. 



A Policeman is in the witness-box, and takes his oath on 

 a Testament with the greatest ease. 



" Now, then," says Mr. Sharply. 



The Policeman deposes that he was on duty, &c., &c., 

 and saw, &c., &c., and warned, &c., &c. And it all rolls off 

 his tongue as pleasantly as possible, and the Vagrant is 

 asked if he has anything to say to Mr. Sharply on the 

 subject; and it appearing that the Vagrant has nothing to say 

 to Jilin^ after giving him one second to think it over, he (Mr. 

 Sharply) has something to say to the Vagrant, which is, 

 that he is committed for a month with hard labour ; and 

 this being all done, settled, and dismissed at high-steam 

 pressure, the Vagrant is taken away by a Policeman, and 

 justice being satisfied, Mr. Sharply darts a look at his 

 watch, and calls for " the next case." 



We have all along been expecting that ours is the next 

 case, and my Aunt is in a frightfully nervous state, and 

 very pale. The Rum Lady too, is becoming excited, and 

 has her eye still fixed on "that Purkiss." 



R 2 



