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Every Sunday ht and Mr Thomas Dilworth--the

one pale and po--took up the

collection in St Michael's A any pole with a black velvet pouch

on one end, was thrust solemnly into each pew, then drawn back with

very personal pauses--which were ee into your glove before starting for church When these

poles had raked every pew, they were carried up the aisle to Dr

Lavendar, who, taking hold of the purple tassel on the bottom of each

bag, turned the contents into a silver plate The change came out with

a fine clatter; we children used to keep awake on purpose to hear it

Once in a while a bill would rustle out with the silver and balance on

the top of the little heap in such an exciting way that Dr Lavendar

had to put his hand over it to keep it fro off as he carried

the plate to the communion-table--we did not say "altar" in Old

Chester This done, Mr Wright and Mr Dilworth would tiptoe solemnly

back to their respective pews When the service was over the senior

warden always counted the , when

he went into the vestry for that purpose, he found Dr Lavendar just