The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-16
"That once every day, no matter how busy you are, you will come to me and tell me that l am beautiful"
 "I promise"
CHATTER III.


 her mind. An, what a changel what cause for self-congratulationl A certain class of preachers are like women. It is only by marriage that they can hope to attain anything like success or distinc- tion. had horse to ride, and at morn ings my boots were polished by a negro who made it a point to treat me with great politeness. Oh, yes, it was great change, but alackl
 One day, having been on visit to a distant church, l was driving toward home when overlook a serious looking map. He asked me if would be kind enough to let him ride, and told him to hop in, whereupon he climbed in and took seat beside me.
 "A spirited horse you have" said he
 "Yes, he is splendid animal"
 "What business are you engaged in p he asked.
 am preacher"
 So am l." he replied.
 "Ah, then am glad that l allowed you to ride with me- Are you going very farp"
 " No, not great ways. ltremble as 1 approach this neighborhood, and am afraid to ask questions concerning the one in whom my life is completely wrapped up. My name is Singleton Several years ago left Arkansaw and went over to preach to the Missourians. After preaching to the St. Louis politi- clans, went over to Jefferson City, where l spent several months in preaching to the governor and in attempting to teach him English. One day while was strolling with the governor two highway men came upon us. They treated the governor with great civility but they laid me under heavy contribution. They took all my money and ordered me to leave the state. appealed te the governor but he told me that he was compelled to stand by his friends, that religion was we'll enough but that it would not com. pare with robbers. was compelled to leave, especia lily as the governor seemed to be embarrassed on my account. l struck out and have been on the road ever since. would have gotten here sooner but rode on passenger train part of the way. My wife"
 " Is my wife," solemnly remarked.
 "What, you don't mean to tell me that my wife has marriedP"
 "Yes," groaned.
 By this time we were nearly home, to the home where our wife resided. was nerving myself for desperate struggle and could see that my half-brother- for such he seemed to be-was making similar preparation. As we neared tue house saw our wife gathering flowers.
 "Yonder is Zack," she exclaimed, turning toward me.
 How fat she has grown" said my half brother.
 She advanced to meet ns. I saw her eyeing the new conner. After a while she uttered a shriek. MT. Singleton looked triumphantly at me and caught her in his arms.
 "Look here," said I, untangling them and addressing the man, "l don't want to treat you discourteously but please to remember that this is my wife. She might have been your wife years ago, but times are changed. Old wives have become new"
 In a voice thick and husky he replied: "All ask is fair shake" Here she threw her arms around his garments and declared that she would not shake" him. explained and Singleton feel. ingly continued:
 "I am willing to leave this m alter to arbitration. Yev do not feel disposed to recognize my claim"
 "Let her decide" said l, shaking in my boots. "Let us hear her decision and if it be against you will abide by it."
 "No," she cried. {" Let us call in some of the neighbors, and abide by their de- cision."
 We agreed. Five men were called in. Alter several days of earnest deliberation vote was taken and the verdict was an- nounced. The blood of disappointment rushed to my head, for the arbitrators had decided against me. "Zack," said my wife,"l don't want you to think that have anything against you. have always been your friend and would continue to be, but you see how am situated. To avoid all hard feelings, l reckon you'd better take of them store clothes and array yourself in the butternut habiliments which you wA~Asu~I frnvxr A~~,rS>I ~n~~~~~~e:~ u