Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-07-23
THE LOST ECOR

As soon rs George Prattlston had gone for
them. light reappeared in the vestry, and
saw Rolls place what looked to be q piece Of
thick pastebOard behind one Of the leaves, and
then draw knife down it and cut it out. He
put the leaf and the board and the knife into
his pocket and blew out the candle again"
Did Mr.. George PrattletOn see nothing Of
this -
No. He was gone for the matches, and
when he came back the vestry was in dark
ness, as he had left ID. Nothing risk, nothing
win, | heard Rolls say to himself. Il thought
l could do him
After that
After that, when Mr.. George Prattleton
come back with the matches, Rolls lighted the
candle and continued to look over the register,
and deorge Prattleton grumblcd at him for
being 50 long Presently Rolls shut the book
and hurrdod, saying it was not in, and Mr.
Prattleton might put ii up again"
Did you understand what he moant by
1T Can you repeat the words he used !''
believe can, or nearly so, for have
thought OF them often since. Its not in the
register, Prsttleton,' he said. 'IIurrah, 1t
will be thousands Of pounds in our pockets
When the other side brought forth the lame
tale that there was such an entry, we thought
1t bag of moonshins Put up your register
think that was it,
What next happened ?''
saw Rolls hand the book to George Pratt
Teton, and then / went down the church as
quietly as L could, and found the key to the
door and got out / hid behind a tombstone,
and saw them both emerge from the church,
and Mr.. George PrattletOn locked it and put
the key in his pocket. heard them disput-
ing at the door. when they found il open:
Rolls accused George PrattIeton Of unlocking
the door when he went to fetch the matches;
and George Prattleton accused Rolls of having
neglected to lock it when they entered the
church
Meanwhile it was you who had unlocked
1t. TO let yourself Out2'
:" les. And was in too great a hurry for
fear they should see me, to shut it after me I"
A very nicely concocted tale sneered
Sergeant Siftem, after several more questions
had been asked of Henry, and he rose to cross
examine. You would like the court and jury
to believe you, sir ~
Il hope all will believe, who hear me, for Ii
IL the truth he answered, with simplicity
And he had his wish; for all did believe him;
and Sergeant Siftems searching questions, and
insinuatiOns that the fancied George Prattleton
and Rolls were nothing bqt ghosts, failed to
shake his testimony or his belief
The next witness called was Roland Lewis,
who had just come into court, marshsled by
the hesd-master. messenger, attended by a
jayelin man, had been dispatched in hot haste
10 the college schOOl-rOom, demanding the at
tendance of Roland Lewis. Mr.. Wilberforce,
cOnfOunded by their appearance, and perplex-
two of the college gentlemen, Lewis and an
other, was found to have had som at to do with
the theft from the register, though not, he be-
lieved in the way of thisving it themselves, 2"
left his desk and his duties and accompanied
Lewis.
You are in the college school p said Ser
geant Wrsngle, after Lewis was sworn and had
given his name.
Kings scholar, sir, and third senior" re-
piled Lewis, who could scarcely speak for
fright; which was not lessened when be caught
sight Of the Dean of Riverton on the bench
next the Judge
Did you smut up companion, Henry Chew
ley Arkell, in the church Of St james the Less
one afternoon last November, when he had
gone in to practice on the organ?''
Lewis wiped bis face, and tried to calm his
breathing, and glared fearfully towards the
bench, but never spoke.
You have sworn to tell the truth, the whole
truth. and nothing but the truth, sir and you
must do 50, said the Judge staring at his ugly
face, through his glasses Answer the ques
ton
Yes
What was your motive for doing so?'' asked
Sergeant Wrangle.
1T was only done in fun. / didn't mean TO
hurt him.
Pretty fun" calculated one of the jury who
had timid boy Of his own in the college-school
and thought how horrible might be the cOnse-
quences should he get locked up in st. James
church.
How long did you leave him there?"
a. don't know. / took back the key to the
clerk :, and the next morning when we went
To let him out he was gone
- Who Is we Who was with you ~ cried
Sergeant Wrsngle. catching at the word
Mr.. George PrattIeton. He was at the
clerks in the morning and L told him about it,
and asked him to get the key, for Hunt would
|. IL
opened the church; but Arkell was not there.
lie had got out somehow
When this witness, after a good deal Of bad
gering, was released, Seargent Siftem, bright
thought having occurred to him. desired that
the Rev. Mr.. Wherefore might get into the
NitnesS-box. The Rev. Mr.. Wilberforce did
so; and the Sergeant began, in an insinuating
tone:
The witness, Henry Cheveley Arkell, is
under your tuition in the collegiate school,
assume -
lie is" sternly replied Mr. wilberforce
who had not forgotten Sergeant Siftem's in
sult of the previous day.
Would you believe him on his oath ~
Ion his oath or without it "
"Oh you would, would you - retOrtel the
Sergeant. :" Schoolboys are addicted to rO-
maneing, though"
Henry Arkell is Of strict integrity. His
word may be implicitly trusted"
can DeaI W D
honorable and truthful nature" spoke up the
Dean of RivertOn, from his place beside the
judge. HIS general conduct is exemplary
pattern to the school"
Henry Cheveley Arkell!" roared out the
undaunted Siftem, drowning the deans voice.
=. have done with you, Mr. Wilberforce" So
the master left the witness-box and Henry re-
entered il.
Il omitted TO put aquestion to ykp, q Mr.
Chorister." began Sergeant Siftem. hould
you know this fabulous gentleman your
imaginatiOn-this Roll you wsF yto see
him. y
morning as / came int
That shut up SeTgesI Elm.
&" " here dii you seI IH' inquired the
Judge
In the outer hail. Nd |rl. He was with
Mr. Valentine Carr"
The Judge whispersl word to somebody
with a white wand, who was standing neal
him, and that person Immediately went hunt.
ing about the court To find Rolls and bring hin
before the judge. But Rolls had made himself
scarce near the conclusion Of Henry ArkelPi
first evidence and rs il transpired afterwards
decamped from the town. The next witnes:
nut in the box was Mr. George Prattleton.