Who is Ratliff from Collected Stories of William Faulkner and what is their importance?

Ratliff is the main character from the story "A Bear Hunt." He is employed as a sewing machine salesman who apparently joins a group of men on the hunt for a bear. Ratliff's claim to fame is his suggestion to Provine that he go to an old Indian mound to cure his hiccups. A man who once had property burned by Provine overhears Ratliff's suggestion and decides to take Provine's Indian mound experience to the extent. Ratliff gets a beating for his innocent suggestion.