Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-06-26

whatp
My intention is to take the articles of cloth
ing whcresoever they maybe, if can find them,'
replied.
Hes got them on said Panker to me he's
got them on his body, Sheriff.
We'll, Sir, said Bycfeld, Constantly that
WELL Sir with species of brayado in its pro-
nunciation,) well, Sir, suppose l have, he re-
piled, addressing Planker, what then Am /
to understand, Mr. Sheriff. continued he that
this man. pointing to Planker, lis yotr Helper
in pressing emergency fancy that he is
often engaged in a hot-preSsing service
"A very fair shot thought l. at the language
of my introduction of Mr. Planker, and at his
profession But being disposed to protect from
insult all who accompanied me in matters of
Susintss intimated to Mr.. Byefeld that ex-
pcctcd decorous treatment of myassstants while
engaged in my service on his part, so long as
offence was committed
'lf Sir said | to Byefeld, assured by Plank
or that the clothes were or bis person, you do
not deliver to me the goods claimed 10y my writ,
l shall be compelled to adopt the alternative re-
quircd of me, in the event of my not finding the
property, to wit, take your body and lodge the
same in the county JAIL
This announcement staggered Bycheld some-
what, who inquired of me, tauntingly, If had
the power to do that 2 and recovering himself
in a moment he continued You appear deter
mined, Sir, to exercise what | would character
ize as arbitrary power, without law or justice to
sustain you. But, Sir, beware! Let me eau
ton you not to trample on citizens rights
And though you are sustained here by two of
your satellites, and have manifest advantage
of me for the moment, let me say, Sir there
shall be day of reckoning and when it comes,
beware, Sir; beware of its terrible, crushing cf-
fects upon you, for thus exercising power not
warranted by the law =
This gasconade did not frightrn me bit /;
my withers were unwrung.' But it was truly
laughable to see how Byetied after having let
off so much effervescence, gaited and strutted
about. was the only one of my party not af
fected by it. And my old assistant, Thison,
taking me by the arm, and asking me TO step
aside for moment, which did, addressed me
as follows:
BE you rightp' said he, taking off his hat,
and looking for all the world like colossal bald
headed eagle in quandary.
Il am, Tise,' said |. We always called him
'Tise for shortness' sake.
I'll stick by you,' said he, right or wrong;
but one alters works better, you see, when he
knows he's right You know better than | do
about the law, and am better reversed in them
things than |. I'm bound to stick by you any
way, and will do it too
4 thank YOU, my old friend. knew YOU
would said |.
determined to pursue the remedy which had
intimated to Byefeld, told him that the prop
erty must forthwith be delivered to me, or else
| must do the other thing ! namely, take him
to jail
We'll, Sir Invariably that 'we Sir,D Il see
] am completely in your power said he; and
suppose, continued he, 'as am unable to fur
~ hoI
into effect unless deliver the goods to YOU,
which, upon a second thought, l have conclud-
ed to do
1t is the best course said to him, and
am heartily glad you have come to that conclu-
sion, inasmuch you will then have done an
action which, if it attaches credit to you, (the
same being rendered upon compulsory process,)
saves you at least from very great temporary
inconvenience: Imean luxurating in our castle,
where the inmates enjoy their 'dejeunel' not "a
Ia fourchette,' but with spoon, and an iron one
at that
You are severe, Mr.. Sheriff. said he.
But correct interrupted |.
Here, Mr. Sheriff. said he to me, anguish
ingly, here is my overcoat,' taking the same
from off his back and extending it to me; here
is my overcoat, take it.
NO, no, Mr.. Augustus Byefield said I, YOU
cannot come that game on me. | see you are
very well skilled in the knowledge Of the law !;
but trust me- my learned Coke, am not so yer-
dant.'
you will not take it, continued he, in The
same manner.
Yes, will take it, answered, when the
rest of the goods the writ calls for are at the
same time delivered. / understand what am
about, Mr. Byefeld; and am perfectly aware.
too, that by recent decisions the law is that when
sheriff, charged with the service of writ of
repevin, takes any one or more of the articles
called for by the writ, he cannot hold the de-
fendant to bail for the balance but the plaintiff
must sue out an alias writ ! and perhaps you
have been taking lessons in the useful branches
You see am as well posted I continued, 'as
you are
Good for him. said Old Tisc, chuckling.-
The sherf's got Byefeld, 'by-a,feid, and he's
'lawming him, and he can't get off without
skinning.'
l couldn't avoid laughing at the murderou,
pun Old Use let of so joyously, miserable as it
was.
Now, Mr. Byefcld,' said I, its useless for
you to procrastinate this business: you may as
well, first as last give in, and let me have, quiet
ly and freely, what am here to demand of you
At this juncture, l hardly knew how or in
what manner to proceed to get the clothes.
well knew could not so trespass upon his per-
sonal rights as to seize his person and by force
strip him. was in quandary, and it would
not do to let Byefeld know of the perplexity
which filled my mind was perfectly aware,
despite his brdrado manner, that he feared me
STILL to tell him that he must go to his room
and shed his feathers was beyond my usual i'm
pudence, and could not do it. The clothes
must be got, but how, could not tell there
was but one way, and l could not insist that
Byefeld should comply. Twas in hopes that he
would offer to give them to me voluntarily, but
j mistook the cause of his not doing so.
While thus pondering, 'Old Tise' asked me
to step aside. Cautious and cunning as he was
always reputed, in this think he exceeded him
self)
What be you thinking about p whispered he !;
you amt in fix are you, Sheriff? Take my
advice SKIN HIM. said he in low voice; Skin
HIM. Let me do it. I'll do il first rate
Happy suggestion, thought at once, and the
intimation as well as the offer to do it, coming
from him, l at once yielded to him the glory
and the honor of Skinning the buck
'Mr. Byefield, said Mr.. Thison, addressing
him, (which is your roomP you'd better come
along with me to your room and give me your