The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-09
LIVERY OF SEiSlN.
Amusing "Reminiscences ~ u Veteran
Deputy sheriff.

lfOr the ilmebl
In olden times land did not pass by yfant,
but by Livery of sesin. That is to say the
grantor would deliver to the grantee p':S-
session by breaking a twig or bongh grow
ng thereoI with words to this eject: II
deliver q s, 10 you in the name Of seisin Of
all the H.. and tenements contained In
this dee. But IL II he OF "A house the
grantorD 80 take the ring or latch Of the
door, the nOase being quite empty, and de-
liver II "a the grantee In the same form,
and ther, the grantee must enter alone and
shu. the door. and then he can open the
door and let others In.
The object OF this caption is 10 remind my
friend Judge W. w. Crump OF very
amusing incident that occurred about forty
years ago, the Judge being then Young
and promising hwyer and myself very
humble and young deputy sheriff, both OF
us being full 0t young America. About
this time the Judge was counsel for Tslia-
ferr0 In "A suit against Morris To recover
certain land on Broad and Eighteenth
streets. The Judge succeeded and gained his
case. A writ Of possession was sued out
from the court and put In the hands Of the
sheriff, commanding him 10 put Taliaferro
in possession. II fell to my lot as deputy
TO execute this writ.
The day and hour was fixed that Judge
I Crump and his client would meet me on the
premises t. Rave possession delivered 10 the
plaintiff. Woall met very promptly. could
see young America shining forth from
my friends faces. | knew that the Judge
meant fun, and made up my mind 20 be
his equal IN that direction as far as posi-
BILE. The Judge said, In his amusing way:
Phil. did YOU ever hear OF Liyary OF ses-
STOMP
.'Yes. sir. just as expected. know
what you mean. and will carry IL out for
yOu.v / took from my pocket the writ
commanding the saor.f 10 deliver posset-
sion, and looking and feeling AS sober as o
Judge, ! said, in very solemn words "Mr.
| Taliafergo. by virtue Of this writ OF possess
SION which | now hold IN my hand (and
pulling very large weed at the same time)
| put yau in possession OF this property.
| Take this weed AS Livery II session."
| our mission being ended we started hope.
Nr. TaliaferrO said, Judge. What shall
do with this weed IL IL OF any value ~
"lea sir; take good care OF ~ In going
along together some Of Taliferro's friends
asked him what was the moaning Of his
carrying on his shoulder that large, ugly
flower 1.-THE weed being In bloom). You
may call ugly" said be, "but Judge Crump
will tell you Of its value" 30 ended matters
that day. In a few days thereafter the
Judge called on me. and requested me Ia
pay his client visit, and inform him what
had become OF the weed. | did 50; and
found that h. had carried ont his counsePs
advice 10 the letter. In Mr. Taliaterro's
parlor was "a very line large costly vase sit
ting on the mantel with the weed In II dead,
and as dry AS powder. This WAS the fret
and last time that ever mingled fun along
with the discharge Of duty.
NCS, | call on my friend, Judge Crump. 10
correct any error in the foregoing statement.
In conclusion. allow me 10 state that the
judge, who sat in the trial Of thus case. the
opposing eoun 3ei. the jury, witnesses and
sheriff have aa passed away.
+. =. WINSTON.
late Deputy Sheriff OF Richmond city. 4.