By Kathryn Purcell
Managing Editor

Morgan County residents got a jump on the rest of the nation's Harry Potter fans as Madison's Ingles supermarket had J.K. Rowling's latest addition to the series, "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" on stands early this week.
   

Nationwide, the book wasn't due to be released until this Thursday, December 4, according to the Web site of the book's publisher, Scholastic, Inc.
   

"That comes from the Atlanta News [Company]," Ingles co-manager Tim Arnold said.
   

"They bring them, in put them up...We don't have any control over those books whatsoever."
   

Dog Ear Books owner Jon Tonge was among those who took advantage of the early release.
   

"I have one in my hands and a receipt from getting it at Ingles," Tonge said.
   

"I could go online and say how it ends before it comes out...That's the main thing; that's how people leak books."
   

Given the rigorous amount of contract signing he had to do to be able to offer "Beedle the Bard," as well as the rest of the Harry Potter series, Tonge was surprised that Ingles, or the Atlanta News Company, had the book on stands days early.
   

"I had to sign my life away to get this book," Tonge said.
   

"I've never had to sign a release for any other book but her [Rowling's] books."
   
According to Tonge, Dog Ear Books will carry "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" on its shelves beginning Thursday.