Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-01

A correspondent Of the New York Post tells
the following curious story of the fortunes of
library:
Noticing in the New. York papers of recent
da.e the sale OF a very valuable private library
OF foreign books, 1t has occurred to me to send
you some odd facts about the history of that
collection of volumes.
The library was the property of an English
lawyer, who inherited a large portion of it from
his ancts or5, including many rare and yalua-
ole Worhs, aud who running throu RI his patri-
mOny at nome, DrouTh 1t out with him to Can
ada, where he proposed to SETTLE
But fortune did not favor the immigrant and
afte a while his funds became exhausted, while
dunning creditors bcset HIM on every side. At
last several executions were issued against the
worldly possessions of the En- IiiShman, among
which of course was known TO be the library.
The sheriff appeared at the house and knocked
for admission. The occupant, however, was
firm in the belief that an Englishman's house
Is his castle, and so locking all outer doors and
mailing down windows, he denied entrance to
the minion of the law.
That worthy, though he could not by the
statute book break in an outer door for simple
Iept, was yet equal to t.e emergency, and SO
posting his bailifs around the house, he deter
mined to cut off supplies and starye the Eng
nshman and his garrison, consisting of his own
lamny, mo submission. But again he was
ioiled, Tor outside friends brought provisions,
which were hoisted up Though upper-srory
windows, and plenty reigned within the be-
| sIeged castle.
The utmost ingenuity was displayed by the
| sheriff TO obtain an entrance by means of tricks
| and devices, hut to no avail--the disguised
friends, crippled beggars, and fanting females
| on the steps, invariably being refused admit.
lance. Occasionally, for some wel-known and
| tried gentleman friend, a rope ladder wasIlow.
| cred, and the visitor thus admitted; but even
| these visits were few and far between. On sun
days, when no civil process for debt is of any
power, tue house was opened to general friends
and once, when none were looking a baihff ven
tured TO get in and hide himself, so as to admit
his fellow-otficers when the mystic hour of mid
night had passed and the law-abiding MONDAY
had set in. But, unfortunately for that person
the Englisbman made it a rule to search hi,
house thoroughly with biz bull dog, for suct
as he, and discovery resulted with a loss to tht
6aiitf Of little calf and good deal of panta
looms.
AT last the garrison, which had, during their
| confinement, been working bravey were flu lis
prepared to try and save the.library, and all was
ready Tor move. With the aid Of certain
| wooden partitions within the house, cases had
been made for the books, and they were safely
paSked, awaiting the next Sunday.
Ane american frontier lay ABOUT dfty miles
away, and by proper management and rood
caie Ine library could be conveyed thither in
wagons, between midnig { on Slturd ~ nd
midnight on Sunday. Arrau gements had been
made by outside friends for RELAYS Of ,fud b~sa
along the road, and so when miduiyht az S1t,Ir
day had come and gone, and the baiIiffs had de-
parted for their beds, the wagons were brou.rb
70 the back door and the heavy cases place.
thersin. Three large lumber drays were necdeC
| Tor the burden. anil by two O'Clock the cayalcad
was IN motion. fourth wagon bore the house
hold goods Of the family, while Ii gnt carria re
In the vaa and rear acted as scouting paroles
But alasl before miny miles had been tray
eled the sheriff heard Of the trick, aud cam
LAUNDERING down behind. Power TO stop th
fugitives ne had not, but power to annoS. d.
lay, aud II possible prevent their crossing th