The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-09
CHAPTER II.

In Big Lige's manner toward Millie no change was notice able. He sat by the fire at night, shelllng corn or making shuck collars, but he cast no look of re proach upon the Il. Brezentine's visits became frequent, but Big Lige treated lis rival with as much peliteness as he had ever shown anyone. His roaring laugh, though, which had ever been rare, was aow no longer heard. One day, while Petticord and Lge were chopping wood, the old man sad:
 Big Lige, Millie is goin' ter git mar. ried."
 Lige, who was raking the chips away from log so that his axe might have easier play, did not look up from his work. He merely asked:
 "That so1"
 "Yas, an guess who's the man."
 i'm Polk Brezentine."
 "Yer hit it, dinged ct yer didn't. Why, Big Lige, you're guesser. Yer guessed how much the white SOW would weigh, an now yer've guessed whut man Millie is goin' ter marry. Whut do yer think uv the match 2"
 "DAm pore"
 "Whut?"
 "l said dam pore"
 "W'y, man, Inn Polkis a schollard an' a gentleman an wuz wunst in the legisla- tur."
 "Yas," Lige rejoined, "an' he wuz cuzed uv takin' bribe."
 1t wuz the Radicals that 'cuzed him, Big Lge, an yer mus rickerleck that the Radicals will 'cuze anybody"
 !" know that, aa' it wouldn't been so bad in Jim Polk Brezentine's case eff they hadenter proved it on him."
 "Wall, wall," wheezed the old man, don't let us argy. He's smart ernuff ter make livin' fur Millie, an that's all ken ask"
 At dinner time, Mrs. Petticord, seeking an opportunity, drew Lge aside and said ::
 Big Lige, did you say dam pore 1"
 "Yessum."
 Wall, l want yer ter un'erstan' that it ain't none uv yer business. It's mothers duty ter have CT gentleman in ther family, an it ain't none uv yer lookout. Do yer hear that, Big LigeT
 "l ain't never been 'cuzed uv bein' deaf"
 Wall, then, want yer ter mark it."
 The night of the marriage arrived. Extensive preparations had been made. Bumpus came with his jokes Squire Boyle came with his solemn authority.
 " Let's us stan up with 'em," said Sal lie Patterson, approaching Big Lige, who sat on bench near the door.
 "No, l am ableeged ter yer," Lige re- piled. "Pd ruther set when its jest CT cheap"
 Think yer awful smart, don't yer2"
 What's the matter over thar ?" Sim Bumpus asked.
 "Nothin, only Big Lige thinks he's SO awful smart"
 "That's what they told me at the mill, but she kep' on a-grindin'," MT. Bumpus rejoined.
 Mollie was arrayed in a bright calico dress. Her hair hung loose. Brezentine wore cheap suit of l" town stuff" When the ceremony was over, Big Lige, with the rest, shook hands with the bride and groom then MT. Patterson shouted, !" Git yer podners, gentlemen, fur curtil. yum" During the night, which was fes- tive, Big Lge was not surly; and, al- though he did not dance, he took his turn at the fiddle, while Scott Patterson "swung cornders" with the girls from over the creek. The next day after the wedding, Brez. entine and his wife began to keep house on little farm which old Petticord had portioned of for them. The distance was but short, and Millie came over to her old home every day. Big Lige conceived the idea that she was not happy. He wondered and wondered what the cause could be. After awhile he was enlight- ened.
 Brezentine was . drunkard. At frst Millie tried to guard this as . secret, bat H sooS hecaree tnn nlain In admit o{ far