Page:A history of booksellers, the old and the new.djvu/428

388 388 THOMAS TEGG. wife acting as clerk, he travelled through the country, buying up the duplicates at all the gentlemen's libraries he could hear of, and rapidly paying off his debts. This led him to return to his shop in Cheap- side, but his ardent desire for advancement involved him again in difficulties. " One day I was called from the shop three times by the sheriff's officers (a few years afterwards I paid a fine of 400 to be excused serving sheriff myself). Bailiffs are not always iron- hearted. I have met with very kind officers ; some have taken my word for debt and costs, and one lent me the money to pay both" (O rare bum-bailiff! why is not thy name recorded ?). Still Tegg was making gradual way, in spite of occasional difficulties which again led him to the pawnshops, but with more precious pledges than when at Berwick he asked a rosy-cheeked Irish girl how he might best raise money on a silk handkerchief, for now his watch and spoons could accommodate him, when needful, with fifty pounds. About this time one of the most interesting episodes of his life was com- menced. He had purchased a hundred pounds' worth of books from Mr. Hunt, who, hearing of his struggles, bade him to pay for them when he pleased. Tegg, in the fulness of his gratitude, told him that should he> in his turn, ever need aid he should have it ; but the wealthy bookseller smiled at the young struggler's evident simplicity. We will tell the rest of the story in Tegg's own words. " Thirty years after, I was in my counting-house, when Mr. Hunt, with a queer- looking companion, came in and reminded me of my promise. He was under arrest, and must go to prison unless I would be his bail. I acknowledged the obligation, but I would first take my wife's opinion.