The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-09

they had made a mistake in so readily giving their consent to the marriage, en- deavored to make the best of it. Some. times, even when the weather was cold, Brezentine would leave home, without having cut any wood and, not unfre- quently, Big Lige, who often strolled over In the direction of the son-in-law's house, would cheertully perform the work which the husband had neglected. Once Mrs. Petticord acknowledged that Brezentine was not even " fit to tote water" The old man sighed disconsolately, but Big Lige, who sat near, scraping a powder horn, remarked that every man should have chance, and that it was not right to condemn him without fair trial
 Big Lige, yer talk like yer ain't got no seOse," Mrs. Petticord snapped. A month or so ago yer lowed he want ft- ten fur nuthin' but ter tote water, an now yer wanter take up fur him. 'spize ter see man so shifty."
 Wall, wall," said the old man, don't let's argy bout it. Yer wuz on yer head, mur, tell yer got her married of, an now yer air on yer head ease yer pint wuz gained. never seed such thing ez woman, nohow. One day yer think yer kaint live with her, an the next day yer know yer kain't."
 Pap, fur the Lawd's sake don't fuss. Yer put me in mine uv a settin' hen a-peckln' at everything that comes a-nigh. Thar ain't nothin' that'll please yer Rothin' at all-nothin' on ther face uv the Lawd'ul mighty's yeath."
 NWali uoll wa ~,oo,k oxo,, D ~~zI:~I MT. Petticord. "Pears ter me like it's all argyin' an no work roun' this yere house. never"
 Millie burst into the room. ooh, pap p she exclaimed, "they've come an tuck Jim Polkp'
 Whuts the matter, gal ?" the old man cried. Mur, git outen the way an quit yer foolishness." Mrs. Petticord had thrown her arms around Millie.
 "I won't git away" she snapped Don't yer see the pore child's about ter faint ?"
 Anybody'd faint bein' squz that erway. Turn her loose. Now, Millie," he added when Mrs. Petticord had released the girl, "tell us who's tuck him an whut they tuck him fur"
 "The constable come an got him They 'cuze him uv stealin' CT hunnerd dollars from Steve Dye, an they've tuck him ter ther crossroads. Oh, Big Lige, won't yer please go an see whut they're goin' ter do with him ?"
 Lige arose, without uttering a word, and started out. The old man told him to catch the bay mare and ride. but he needed not the suggestion,
 This is putty kittle uv fish," the giant unused as he strode along the road. know in reason that he's guilty. Pore Milliel She driv her ducks ter mighty pad market"
 When he arrived at the cross roads ne found crowd of men gathered about he door of log house which served as ! jail. Sim BumpHs and Scott Patterson itood guard at the door. Lige was sui cred to enter. Brezentine sat on box. His face wore an expression of despair.
 How are you, Lige~
 Lige nodded.
 "You find me in a pretty bad fix" Brezentine remarked as he showed his lands into his pockets and leaned back against the wall. "lf they send me to he penitentiary, it will almost kill Millie with shame, and it will be a disgrace to he Petticord family. lwish was dead"
 So do l." Big Lige replied.
 Don't be too hard on me-"
 don't want ter be hard on yer tall. t's fur Millie's sake that wish yer wuz lead. She could stan grief better'n she Ten disgrace. Jim Polk Brezentine, 1 be- ieve yer ought ter be in prison, fur 1 lon't b lieve God ever put hones' bone n yer body, but fur Mlllie's sake an fur he sake uv ole man an ole woman that
 love, won't see yer go ter the pen."
 How can you help itr
 'Tll tell 'em that stold the money"
 "Oh, Lige P exclaimed Brezentine, bringing to his feet, "Oh you noble"
 Don't put yer d-d hans on me! 'et down thar, UT I'll slam the daylight 'uten yer"
 Lige opened the door and called Pat erson. "Scott," said he, wush yer'd 70 over an' tell Squire Boyle ter com C lere."
 Scott hurried away and soon returned, by the justice of the peace
 "W'y, how're yer, Big Ege? How's Ill the folks r the magistrate asked as he hooN ndAoS Wieu LtSS.
 "Alls well Squire, yer've got the vrong SOW by the year, this time. Pm he man that stold Dyes money"
 "What" exclaimed the squire.
 l say that I'm the man."
 Wall, then, how come Jim Polk with he moneyp
 T owed 1t to him an gin it to him hortly airter stold it."
 Jim Polk Brezentine, is that so? p
 It is fact, squire. When I was ac- used of taking the money, could have old where got it, but did not want to nvolve my friend Lige, and, sir, if he had lot confessed it, would have said noth- ng but would have let them send me to he penitentiary."
 Mir. Brezentine," said the Squire, give me yer han. didn't know, when he folks called yer no count an triflin, hat there wuz so much grit in yer. Give ne yer ham,"
 Jim Polk and the squire warmly shook lands Bio Iioe shuddered and tnrned