Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-28
Hints for the ConstnbIes.

Hints Tor the COnstnbles'
The Editor of the Wadesboro, Argus, in an article
describing recent visit to Rockingham, the county
seat of Richmond county, tells queer stories
about constables' levies, and FORTH which copy
for the guidance of the members of the semi-legal
profession The Editor saith:
At night on Tuesday, we CHANGED to get amongst lot
of the Scotch from the lower end of the county, and
were so well entertained that sleep was stranger 10
our eyelids until something like twelve o'clock. You
infer from this, however, reader, that got
into drinking crowd. The two hotels in Rocking
ham are kept by Sons OF Temperance, we believe, and
did not see drop of spirits drank in any house
while there Innocent and rational conversation can
be carried on without the aid of bad whskey. Slo-
ries told, Jokes cracked calculated TO drive
dull care away, and smooth the wrinkles on the brow
OF time. We recoiect two three of the stories
One of newly elected constable, who had
execution TO levy on bull, and who some how or
other, got it into his head that it necessary lay
the paper the bulls back. Accordingly, he got
near his bullship possible without exciting suspi-
cion and attempted to lay the paper him. The bull,
however. not TO be caught so, and Just the BIZ
ped was chuckng the all but successful execu-
ton of his levy, away went the quadruped with tail
erect, thus proving that the best laid schemes of
mice and onstables-gang aft astray." Away went
the bull, with the constable in the rear, across old
fields through briar patches, over fences, down into
hoows, up TO hill tops, heller SHELTER, their course
onward if not upward Right strai ght across the
country did they run for four long miles. until they
to large mill pond. Into this dashed the bull,
with the laws officer at his heels. IF four legs had
the advantage on land, it two had the advana-
tage in the pond The constable up to the bull,
laid the execution his back, and then out and
went home
Another officer had precept against a man, and
got into his head that absolutely necessary
that he should read it before he had done his du
ty. Accordingly, he went up TO the man, told him he
had such paper, and commenced reading it, The
man, not having taste for such literature and not be-
ing burdened with what some people call politeness,
commenced sliding off and made sundry motions as
though he wanted to leave to all which motions the
officer put end by knocking the down, jumping
astradde of him, reading the instrument, and remark
ing that now that he had him d0rn, he would make
him stand until he had got through with his business.
Another officer went 10 levy the contents of a
smoke house. All the family were from home, and
the smoke house was locked. However that building
had very large cracks in it, and witha of rather small
dimensions. so that it was but short way from the
circumference to the centre. The officer got long
rod and armed with this in one hand and his execu-
ton IN the oherh approached the smoke house He first
read over his execution in the presence of the smoke
house and its contents, and then, reaching his rod
through the different sides of the house. he touched
each particular piece of bacon, remarking as he did,
q levy yon.' Having gone through this operation
he went home, perfectly satisfied that he had done his
duty in full.
These stories brought TO our recollection one that
told of officer who used to flourish about the
time and place of our boyhood His name was johnny
Mcllwee. In that country they have legal instru-
ment which they call i" summons commanding the
person against whom it is issued 10 be and appear be-
fore certain magistrate, at a certain time, to answer
TO a certain charge, &c.
Now according 10 the practice prevailing there-we
cannot say whether it is iar-the officer must serve ii
or the person against whom it is issued if he be not
comeatbe, upon any one OF mature age who may live
at his house. JOHNNY goI sommons against certain
William jackson. When he went there Jackson's
house was locked, and all the family, jackson inclu-
ded, were off, the officer did not know where. But
Johny McIlwee was an lrlshman, upon Irish ground
and it would never do 10 LET the thing rest there He
cast his eyes round him. therefore, to know what to do
when his objects of vision happened to rest upon
smashing big billy goat On capricornus did johnny
serve his summons, and then he wended his way home
The day round on which Jackson ought 10 have
appeared before the magistrate, but no Jackson ap-
peared. The magistrate took measures TO get the man
before him, who, when there denied that ever such
paper had been served upon himself or responsible
member of his family.
JOHNNY McIlwee," queried the magistrate, Z" did
you serve Jackson in legal manner'' He was
his family The magistrate then asked if he was Of
mature age. ais il mature age. yer Honor? dont
know what your Honor calls age; but the fell
low had baird on him as long me hand.''
GEN. ScoTT.-Tn letter TO the wings of Miiin
county, Pa, who have nominated him for The Presi
dency. Gen. Scott says:
The appreciation of my countrymen was the first
Il. L. -, #