The Cecil Whig., 1886-01-09

at wus the Radicals that cuzec
him, Big Lige, and yer must Kicker
leck that the Radicals will 'cuze any
body
81 know that, and it wouldn't beer
SO bad in Jim Polk Brezentine's cast
ef they hadn't er proved it on him.
"Wall, WALL wheezed the ole
man, "don't let us argy. He's smar
a nuff ter make living fur Millie
and that's all | ken ask
AT dinner Mrs. Petticord, seeking
an opportunity, drew Lige aside anc
said:
big Lige, did you say dam pore?
'Hessum.'
"Wall, | want yer to understand
that it amt none NV yer business
It's mothers duty ter have a gen
tleman in ther family, and it ain't
none Of yer look out Do you heal
that Big Lige''
81 amt never been 'cuzed NV be.
ing deef.'
"Wall, then, want yer ter mark
it.
The night of the marriage arrived
Extensive preparations had been
made. Scott Patterson came with
his fiddle; Sim Bumpus came with his
jokes; Squire Boyle came with his
solemn authority
"Let's us stand up with 'em. said
Sallie Patterson, approaching Big
Lige, who sat on a bench near the
door.
mo, | am ableeged ter yer Lige
replied. '1'd ruther set when it's
Jest as cheap
"Think yer awful smart, don't er?'
"Nhat's ther matter over thar?o
Sim Bumpus asked.
"Nothing; only Big Lige thinks
he's so awful smart
That's what they told me at the
mill, but she kept on grinding, Mr.
Bumpus rejoined.
Mollie was arrayed in a bright cal.
leo dress. Her hair hung loose.
Brezentine wore cheap suit of "towr
stuff When the ceremony was over
Big Lige, with the rest, shook hands
with the bride and groom; then Mr.
Patterson shouted, "Git yer podners,
gentlemen, fur curtilyun.' During
the night, which was festive, Big
Lige was not surly; and, although he
did not dance, he took his turn al
the fiddle, while Scott Patterson
":swung cornders' with the girl from
over the creek.
The next day after the wedding,
Brezentine and his wife began tc
keep house on a little farm which
old Petticord had portioned off fol
them. The distance was but short
and N1illie came over to her ole
home every day. Big Llge con
ceived the idea that she was no
happy. He wondered and wondered
what the cause could be. After ;
while he was enlightened.
Brezentine was a drunkard. A
first Millie tried to guard this as ;
secret, but it soon become too plair
to admit a farther attempt at con
cealment. The poor girl seemed t(
be nearly heart-broken, and he fathe
and mother, realizing that they hae
made mistake in SO readily giving
their consent to the marriage, en-
deavored to make the best of il
Sometimes, even when the weathe
was cold Brezentine would leav
home without having cut any wood
and, not infrequently, Big Lige, VIII
often strolled over in the direction
Of the son-in-law's house, woul'
cheertully perform the work whicI
the husband had neglected. Ono
Mrs. Petticord acknowledged tha
Brezentine was not even eft to tot
water The old man sighed dis
consolately but Big Lige, who sa
near scraping a powder horn, re
marked that every man should hav
a chance, and that it was not rigf
to condemn him without fair tria
"Bie Lige, yer talk yer amt go
no sense Mrs. Petticord snapped
"a month or SO ago yer lowed h
want titten fur nothing but ter tot
water and now yer wanter take u
fur him. I'spise ter see a man S
shifty.'
"Wall, wall,' said the old MAJ
'sdon't let's argy about it. Yer WI
on yer head, mur, tell yer got he
married off, and now yer air on ye
head case yer PINT wuz gained.
never seed sech thing ez a woman
no how. One day yer think ye
KANT live with her, and the ne,
day you know you KANT
"Pap, fur the Lawd's sake, don
fuss; yer put me in mine of a settin
, hen pecking at everything tn;
comes a nigh. Thar amt nothin
, that'll please yer, nothing a-tall-
nothing on ther face NV the Lawd'u
mighty's yerrth.'
"Wall, wall we won't argy,' IT
piled Mr.. Petticord. "Pears ter m
like it's all argying and no wor
around this yere house. | never
Millie burst into the room. "Ol
papv she exclaimed, "they've com
and tuck Jim PolK.'
"Whut's the matter, gal9' the oil
man cried. "Mur, git outen the wa