Before issuing the warrant of attachment the judge, clerk or magistrate shall require a written undertaking on the part of the plaintiff with sufficient surety to the effect that if the plaintiff shall fail to prove that the action is brought to recover the purchase money for the property which is about to be attached or if the defendant recovers judgment or the attachment be set aside by the order of the court the plaintiff will pay all costs that may be awarded to the defendant and all damages which he may sustain by reason of the attachment, not exceeding the sum specified in the undertaking, which shall be at least two hundred and fifty dollars, except in case of a warrant issued by a magistrate when it shall be at least twenty-five dollars. The warrant shall be directed to any sheriff or constable of any county in which the property of such defendant may be, shall plainly describe the property and shall require such officer to attach and safely keep such property of the defendant or so much thereof as may be sufficient to satisfy plaintiff’s demand, together with costs and expenses.