New Ulm weekly review., 1878-07-03
THE MAN IN POSSESSION,

THE MAN IN POSSESSION,
y won't pay farthing-no that I
wo1,7t---not if l have to go to prison for
jt!' and down comes my fathers clench-
ed hand on to the table with such
thunlp that it makes the reels in nv
basket jump as if suddenly attacked with
St. Yitus's dance.
Yesterday my father had made his
Arst acquaintance with the County Court
having been summoned by tradesman
for the balance of an account which my
father had declined to pay, as he
firmly believed it to be gross over
charge; but facts went against him, and
he was ordered to pay. My
father vowed that he would do no such
thing. lie called the judgment "iniquit-
GUS and one-sided," and ultimately ex-
pressed his determination to emulate
dear old Mr.. .Pickwick, and go 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 90 to prison?"
mo, my dear" replies my father
calming down mot exactly. The court
will issue what is called an execution
and try TOT put man in possession; but
think shall prove more than match for
County Court bailift."
Father smiles while saying this, as if the
latter person were a very contemplate
and insignificant thing.
Execution "Man in possessson! p
What do they mean? I am afraid to ask
nay father, he looks so cross, so 1 go on
quietly with mytwork, waiting until the
frown shall have;left his brow.
MARY" at last exclaims my father, II
have togo to Bardmoor, and was think
ing thatit might de wise thing to con-
suit young Barton; he has just come from
large Office in London tohelp 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, I will make the the at:emp, and
see if he can't save Inc from this atrocious
swindle. (. wrote yesterday, asking him
to cal here, if passing, as I wapted to-
see him about those leases; but suppose
he has been too busy, or perhaps my let
ter has not reached him."
Ny fathar does not volunteer more in
formation, so I wish HIM "good-night,' -.
and retire to rest, to dream of executions
at Newgate, and that the murderers ex-
plating their crimes are the ''men in pos
SESSION." r.
The next morning, on coming down to
breakfast, find that my father has start
I'd by the carly train for Bardmoor, and
has left positive orders that during his
absence the gate is to be kept locked,
any no oneadmitted under any pretence
whatever VI X It
'But tell me why, Jane2" asked our
old cook, who had been with us longer
than [ can remember, and to whom the
srders have been given.
sssTo keep out the bailiffs, MISS" re-
plfes' Jane. "Not that it will be anv
gtSd, for they are as sharp as needles,
ana nothing can keep'em out if they've
mind to get in.''
''Wha5 is an execution or man in
possession?'" l ask. "Did you ever see
one2" IVA
"0nly one, miss, and that was quite
enough. A bailiff is the man in poses
sion, and when he or his men get into
house they sell all the furniture and
every thing they can lay their hands on
and that is what they call an execu.
ton" -
s"But, Jaue," / argue, "if we keep the
doors locked, how can they get in2"
"Lor, MISS" answers Jane, "you don't
know how artful they are! If thew want
to get into house very much, they will
disguise themselves like play actors do.
l.. remember when my Uncle John had
the; baiiffs in. He had kept them out
for nigh three weeks, when one day an
old cart broke down just outside his door,
and the driver was thrown off his seat
and fell into the road, where be lay as If
he was too much hurt to move. Uncle
had kind heart, so he ran into the road
and helped the driver on to his feet. 'O!'
groans the man. Come in and rest bit,'