TEE "BOOK FIEND" AGAIN.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7879, 2 June 1891, Page 3

TEE "BOOK FIEND" AGAIN.

LIVELY PROCEEDINGS AT NASEBY.

The " book fiend " craze (says the "Mount Ida Chronicle" of Saturday) has a 4" last reached the qniet little town of Naseby. The agent of tho notorious " Picturesque Atjas" Company arrived at Naseby on i Monday evening, and has since had, anything but a pleasant experience. His reception has been remarkably enthusiastic, | and his feelings on leaving Naseby thii morning could not at any rate have bees regretful. On Tuesday he was busy all day delivering, or attempting to deliver, large parcels of the " Atlas," and in every case ho was quickly shown that he was a most unwelcome visitor. He was received with torrents of abuse, but his only reply was to the effect that tho angry subscribers should have taken care to ascertain exactly what they were signing for. Several of the victims refused to take delivery; while others, with vory bad grace, decidod to pay the amount demanded and so get rid of the "fiend.'' During tho course of the day huge placards were posted in conspicuous positions in tho town, announcing "Tho Book Fiend has Arrived! Lynch Law Proclaimed! To-night! To-night!" The publio on reading these posters naturally concluded that something unusual would occur that evening, and after-events proved that they were right in their surmises, for about 9 p.rathe efiSgy of the " book fiend" waa burned at the foot of Leven street, and the blaze was the cause of tho firo boll being rung, which brought tho Fir« Brigade out vory quickly. Among the large crowd of people who issued forth into the street was the obnoxious " Atlas" agent, and immediately on being observed he was surrounded by a crowd of people, and set upon by somo half a dozen indignant and revengeful subscribers, who threw him on the ground, presumably with the object of obtaining his order book, in which, how* ever, they were unsuccessful. Tho luckless book agent struggled fiercely with his assailants, and cries of " Help ! Murder !" rang out loudly, but no assistance j was forthcoming, hootings and groanings I and cries of " Give it to the swindler!" ! being the only response. In vain the i unfortunate man appealed to his tormentors to desist, and his protestations, " I have never harmed you, gentlemen," were on- | heeded. Tho news that the police were coming, however, caused his assailants to free him, and ho scrambled to his feet more frightened than hurt, but minus his hat, which was trampled out of shape by the crowd. The only remark he made was, " WelL I hope you've enjoyed your little bit of fun, gentlemen," and then mado off at the double for his hotel, followed by a large crowd, who hooted him till ho disappeared from their view. Sergeaut Green afterwards requested him to go outside and identify his assailants, but he E referred to stay where ho was. Next day c continued the delivery of his parcels, ana every time he was seen in the street re* marks the reverse of complimentary were made. He left this morning for Hamilton, and after going as far as St. Bathana will return to Naseby to try and effect a delivery of the balance of tho orders. The three Naseby solicitors have declined to act for the agent in recovering the amounts from those subscribers who refuse to pay up.