Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 103, December 3, 1892 by Various
page 18 of 39 (46%)
page 18 of 39 (46%)
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to tell the Police that I could identify the men. Since my evidence
before the Magistrate came out, I have had thirty-seven threatening letters, my front windows have been broken several times over, and a valuable dog poisoned. Still, evidently a patriotic duty to "assist the course of Justice;" and no doubt I shall be compensated. So this is the "Central Criminal Court," is it? Should hardly have believed it possible. Outside mean and dirty. Interior, meaner and much dirtier. Speak to Usher. Usher most polite. Glad, that at any rate, they _do_ know how to treat important Witnesses. Am assured I shall have a seat "close to the Judge." Produce my witness-summons. Demeanour of Usher suddenly changes. I shall have to go to the "Witnesses' Waiting-room in the old Court." Where's that? _He_ doesn't know. I'd better ask a Policeman. It now flashes across me that Usher mistook me for a wealthy, and probably generous spectator, and thought when I was fumbling in my pocket for my summons, I was looking for half-a-crown for _him_! Depressing. Policeman leaves me in a dark, draughty passage, with a bench on each side. "But where is the waiting-room?" I ask an attendant. "_This_ is the waiting-room," he replies. More like the Black Hole. _Was_ it wise of me to give information to the Police? _Two Days later._--They crammed _forty_ Witnesses into that passage! No seats for half of them. We had one chair, and Usher took it away "as a lady wanted it in Court." Lady no doubt a spectator--did _she_ hunt in her pocket for half-a-crown? Anyhow, after two days in the passage, I have just given my evidence in Court, with fearful cold on my lungs, owing to the draught. Very hoarse. Ordered by Judge, |
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