There is no current flow through a capacitor.
While a capacitor (condenser) is charging, it appears to flow current. As it approaches full charge the "current" flow tapers off, leaving the condenser charged with much higher voltage than the battery. At this point, the condenser discharges back through the battery and ground circuit, and charges itself from the ground side, losing a little voltage along the way. Full charge- - -discharge- - - -charge from the insulated side, etc. until the voltage dissipates entirely. Ideally, this happens before the points can close again to prevent an arc discharge as the points make contact. With the points closed, the condenser is shorted out, with both sides at the same potential- - - -ground. It's a simple circuit that becomes complex when people try to describe it in terms of a straight resistive situation without induction and capacitance involved.
Jerry
