Charles Dickens


The Lamplighter


'In the watch-house,' said the chairman. 'It was late at night, and he found


himself in the very watch-house from which he had been let out that morning.'


'Did he go home?' asked the vice. 'The watch-house people rather objected to that,' said the chairman; 'so he


stopped there that night, and went before the magistrate in the morning. "Why, you're here again, are you?" says the magistrate, adding insult to injury; "we'll trouble you for five shillings more, if you can conveniently spare the money." Tom told him he had been enchanted, but it was of no use. He told the contractors the same, but they wouldn't believe him. It was very hard upon him, gentlemen, as he often said, for was it likely he'd go and invent such a tale? They shook their heads and told him he'd say anything but his prayers - as indeed he would; there's no doubt about that. It was the only imputation on his moral character that ever I heard of.'


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