Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-10-18
THE MAN IN POSSESSION.

won't-not if have to go to prison fol
itP'' and down comes my fathers
clenched hand on to the table with such
a thump that il makes the reels in my
basket jump as if suddenly attacked
with st. Vitus' dance.
Yesterday my father had made his
first acquaintance with the county
court, having been summoned by a
tradesman for the balance of an ac-
count which my father had declined to
pay, as he firmly believed it to be a
gross overcharge; but facts went against
him, and he was ordered to pay My
father vowed that he would do no such
thing. He called the judgment "in-
iquitOus and one-sided," and ultimate
ly expressed his determination to emu
late dear old Mr.. Pickwick, and 90 to
prison if necessary, rather than submit
to such an injustice.
But, father" | ask in an awe-struck
tone, "what will they do if you don't
pay? Shall we all have to go to
prisonP"
No, my DEAR" replies my father,
calming down" exactly. The
court will issue what is called an 'ex-
ecutiOn,' and try to put man in pos
session; but | think shall prove more
than amatch for county court bailiff. -
Father smiles while saying this, as if
the latter person were very contempti-
BILE and insignificant thing
EXecution" ''Man in possessionr'
What do they meanP l am afraid to
ask my father, he looks so cross, so
go on quietly with my work, waiting
until the frown shall have left his
brow.
4" Mary" at last exclaims my father,
" | have to go to Bardmoor tomorrow,
and l think it might be wise thing to
consult young Barton; he has just come
from large Office in London to help
his uncle. | don't know much about
him, but old Barton has always been
considered a good lawyer and perhaps
the nephew may be following in his
uncle's steps. AT any rate, will make
the attempt, and see if he can't save
me from this atrocious swindle. wrote
yesterday, asking him to call here, if
passing, as | wanted to see about these
leases; but | suppose he has been too
busy, or perhaps my letter has not
reached him.
My father does not volunteer any
more information, so wish him "good-
night" and retire to rest, to dream of
executions at Newgate, and that the
murderers eXpiating their crimes are
the "men in possession
The next morning, on coming down
to breakfast, find that my father has
started by the early train for Bardmoor,
and has left positive orders that during
his absence the gate is to be kept lock-
ed and no one admitted under any pre-
tense whatever.
" But tell me why, JaneP" / asked
our old cook, who has been with us
longer than | can remember, and to
whom the orders have been given.
"To keep out the baliffs," replied
Jane. "Not that it will be any GOOD.
for they are as sharp as needles, and
nothing can keep 'em out if they've
mind to get i'm
"What is an execution or a 'man |
in possessionP' l ask. Ibid YOU ever
see oneP"
"Only one, miss, and that was quite |
enough. A bailiff is the man in nos
session, and when he or his men pet
into house they sell all the Furniture
and everything they can lay their hands
that is what they call an ex- |
ecution."
But, Jane. l argue, "if we keep
The doors locked, how can they get inP''
Lor, MISS" answers Jane, "you
don't know how artful they are! If
they want to get into house very much
they will disguise themselves like play
actors do. | remember when nv uncle |
John had the bailiffs in. He had kept
hem out for nigh three weeks, when
one day an old cart broke down lust
outside his door, and the driver was
thrown OFF his seat and fell into the
road, where he lay as if he was too
much hurt to move. Uncle had a kind
heart, so he ran into the road and
helped the driver on to his feet cor
5roans the man. Come in and rest a
Dit, says uncle, 'and let's see where
you are hurt;' and with that he helps
nm TO limp into the house. Sit down
and rest yourself-make yourself at
lomei and uncle brings out his own
armchair 'Thankee. Twill, groaned
he old rascal, Pumping his ugly self
nto the chair. Pm the man in pos
session, says he, as he pulls the warrant
lqt OF his pocket; so fork out, nv good
or else sell every blessed
tick you've got >"
60 to the veranda to have a quiet
cad before luncheon. The reading has
lot advanced very far when | am
tartled by an agonized yelping and
parking just outside of the gate.
am sure that is Tiny's bark. ~ 7
ay to myself. "She must have crept
lnder the gate, and is now fighting with
ONE other dog. Naughty, quarrel
ONE llttle thingi She will be killedr'
Starting from my seat, 1 seize the
icy OF the gate and large garden
room which happens to be standing
lear. and, needless of executionsR
md "men in possession" | open the
,ate and rush out into the road, there to
zee my poor little Tiny in the grip of
most disreputable-looking cur. MY eff
orts TO part them are at first fruitless:
nut at last, after one or two pushes with
he broom, | succeed. Tiny is rescued,
'ut at my expense, for the angry cur
llrects his wrath against me. Terribly
IIrald, L turn to run, but my opponent
5 too quick. He seizes hold of NV
lress and shakes it as if it were rat.
scream TO Jane for assistance, but re-
lef is at hand. A gentleman rushes
Onward, and with one or two smart
APPS Of his stick drives the dog away.
snatch up Tiny and make a start for
he garden before the attack is re-
lewed. Fate, however, is against me.
ne horrld little dog has torn my
,ress, and OF course must put my foot
through the hole and awkwardly STUN
ne. A strong arm outstretched Just in
enRth In the dust,