The Penn's Grove record., 1885-09-26
THE MAN IN POSSESSION.

won't-not IL L nave TO go 10 prison Tor
iti'' and down comes my fathers
clentched hand on the table with such
a thump that it makes the reels In my
basket Jump as if suddenly attacked
with st. Vitu's dance.
Yesterday my father had made his
first acquaintance with the County
Court, having been summoned by a
tradesman for the balance of an account
which my father had declined to pay,
as he firmly believed it to be a gross over
charge; but facts went ag inst him, and
he was ordered to pay. My father VOW
ed that he would do no such thing. He
called the judgment ubiquitous and
one-sided," and ultimately expressed
his determination to emulate dear old
MI. PIckwick, and go to prison if me-
cessary, rather than to submit TO such
an injustice.
"But, father" Task in an awe-struck
tone, "what will they do if you don't
pay? Shall we all have to go to prison?''
mo, my DEAR" replies my father.
calming down mot exactly. The
Court will issue what is called an exc
cution,' and try to put a man in pos
session; but l think l shall prove more
than a match for a County Court bai-
liff." Father smiles while saying this,
as if the latter person were a very con-
temptible and Insignificant thing.
"Executionl" MAN in possession!''
What do they mean2 lam afraid to
ask my father, he looks so cross, so |
60 on quietly with my work, waiting
,x-ksl @hN frNuFx cYa1l Anua InfN hSc
brow.
MARY" at last exclaims my father,
81 have to go to Bardmoor tomorrow,
and l was thinking that it might be a
wise thing to consult young Barton; he
has just come from a large office In
London to help his uncle. / don't
know much about him, but old Barton
has always been considered a good law.
yer, and perhaps the nephew has been
following in his uncle's steps. At any
rate l will make the attempt, and see if
he can't save me from this atrocious
swindle. 1 wrote yesterday, asking
him to call here, if passing, as l wanted
to see him about those leases; but | sup
pose he has been too busy, or perhaps
my letter has not reached him."
My father does not volunteer any
mor information, so l 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, l find that my father has
started by the early train for Bardmoor
and has left positive orders that dur
ing his absence the gate is to be kept
locked and no one admitted under any
p%retence whatever.
but tell me why, Jane2n l ask our
old cook who has been with us longer
than can remember, and to whom the
orders have been given.
"To keep out the bailiffs, MISS" re-
plies Jane. mot that 1T will be any
good, for they are as sharp as needles
and nothing can keep 'em out II They've
a mind to get in"
"What Is an execution ora man in
possession'?" ask. ibid you ever
see one?"
Only one. miss, and that was quite
enough. A bailiff is the man III pos
session, and when he or his men get
into a house they sell all the furniture
and everything they can lay their hands
on-and that is what they call an exc
cution.n
but, Jane,"I argue, 'if we keep
the doors locked, how can they get INF"
"Lor, MISS answers Jane, ''you
don't know how artful they arel If
they want to get into a house very
much, they will disguise themselves
as play.actors do. l remember when
my uncle John had the bailiffs in. He
had kept them out for nigh three weeks
when M day an old cart broke down
just 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 help
ed the driver on to his feet. 'Ohl'
Bit says uncle, and let's see where
you are hurt;' and with that he helps
him to limp into the house. sit down
and rest yourself-make yourself at
home;' and uncle brings out his own
armchair. 'Thankee, l will,' grinned
the old rascal, Pumping his ugly self
into the chair. I'm the man in posses.
sion,' says he, and pulls the warrant
out of his pocket, so fork out, my good
Samaritan, or else | sell every blessed
stick you've got
And 70 Jane rattles on with anec
dotes OF the sharpness and unscrupu-
lousness of men In possession until |
begin to regard them as something
more than mortal. After the break
fast things have been removed l per-
form my usual household dutIes-for |
have been papa's housekeeper since
dear mamma died-and then, taking a
book with me, | go to the verandah to
have a quiet read before luncheon.
The reading has not advanced very far
when l am startled by an agonised yelp-
ing and barking just outside the gate.
81 am sure that is Tiny's bark"
say to myself. "She must have crept
under the gate and Is now lighting with