Minutes of the Special Staddle Moot
Called to discuss Bottle Farm
4th day of Frery, 30--
Constable Bolger called the meeting to order once refreshments were passed along to the large crowd in attendance. He stated that the order of business for the day pertained only to the disposition of Bottle Farm, and that no other new business would be entertained. All folks attending were asked to hold new business for the next quarterly Staddle Moot. Gammy Boggs stated that items of new business should be given to her to add to the agenda.
The floor was then given to Marigold Bottle, who stood at the front of the room and detailed the situation. She explained that her husband, Androdoc Bottle, had been ill for many months and was no longer able to work the farm and pickle business. This claim was supported by several prominent citizens who had been visiting over the last month or so and could confirm that his mind was no longer sound. She further added that it didn't look like he was likely to improve any time soon, and asked Mister Bottle if he had anything he wanted to add. Mister Bottle stated from his seat in the audience that he didn't understand what all the fuss was about, and he was sure his boys would get the chickens out of Gammy Boggs' field. This led to some general murmuring, and Missus Bottle continued, discussing the absence of her three sons, saying that they'd been gone for twenty year now, and it was time to pass the farm on.
Constable Bolger interrupted the loud protestations of various members of the crowd with loud stamping of his foot on the wood dais. He called for folks to speak who had anything to say about the continued absence of the Bottle Boys. Several folks from Staddle, and a few from Combe, stood to talk about the last times they saw any of the Bottle Boys and none could name a time that was more recent than twenty year ago. It was agreed by consensus that, though it wasn't known if the Bottle Boys were alive, they certainly weren't in the area, and therefore weren't in a position take up their duties as heirs to Bottle Farm.
Constable Bolger then gave the floor to Missus Bottle once more, who brought up the next item of business. She stated that she was much taken up by caring for Mister Bottle, and couldn't see to the farm and business. She testified that she and Androdoc had often spoken about what would happen to the farm and he didn't want it to be sold. She pointed to Pansyblossom Bottle, her daughter, and said she'd taken over the running of the farm and business when Mister Bottle took ill, and it was flourishing under her care. When he was more lucid, Mister Bottle had told Missus Bottle that he hoped Pansyblossom would take it over and pass it on to her own children in time.
There were some interruptions at this point, with one person calling out "How's she going to do that when she ain't even courtin'!" and another person responding "Well who's fault is that anyways?" and a third chiming in "Now a man's gotta care for his own farm!", at which point Constable Bolger stamped his foot loudly to call for order.
Pansyblossom Bottle was invited to give a statement and she spoke briefly about how she's managed to keep the business running, how all the hawking permits are in good order with the town of Bree, and the measures she's undertaken to increase business. A loud voice snorted, "Selling to outsiders, you mean!" and another said "Bottle Cakes, indeed!", but Constable Bolger cast a stern eye and they quieted again. She went on to say it was true she was selling to outsiders, but they seemed to have a fair amount of coin, and she was selling them travel food, which would encourage them to go off again, anyways. This brought about a lot of loud laughter that Constable Bolger had to silence with some more stamping. He then invited folks to testify about Miss Bottle's competence in taking over Bottle Farm.
Several folk stood up in an orderly fashion and talked about the things Miss Bottle had done to improve the family home, and that all their bills were paid promptly. That the Bottles were always good tenants when it came to the plots of land they rented, and they never over-worked the soil. The discussion started to turn again towards Miss Bottle's single status and who might be suitable for her to marry when Constable Bolger put an end to debate and called for the vote.
The vote was unanimous that a Transfer of Land Deed - Prior to Death should be issued, naming Pansyblossom Bottle sole heir and owner of Bottle Farm.
The meeting was adjourned and a hearty meal was enjoyed by all who had attended.
