for the trip," I said, "and a few hundred dollars to live on for a while
after I get to Iowa."

At this he threw his hands up, and left me, saying that if I wanted to
ruin him I would have to do it through the courts. He had gone as far as
he would go, and I would never have another offer as generous as he had
made me. The next day I met on the street the red-headed girl, who went
by the name of Alice Rucker, and was notorious as a medium. She stopped
me, and asked why I hadn't been to see her--carrying the conversation
off casually, as if we had been ordinary acquaintances. All I could
say--for I was a little embarrassed, was "I do' know"--which was what I
had told Rucker and Jackway, in answer to a thousand questions, until
they were crazy to know how to come at me.

"Let me tell you something," said she. "If you want that Iowa farm,
pa--"

"Who?" said I.

"Rucker," said she, brazening it out with me. "He'll give you the land,
and your outfit. Don't let them fool you out of the team and wagon."

"Thank you for telling me," said I; "but I guess I'll have to have
more."

"If you go into court he'll beat you," said she, "and I'm telling you
that as a friend, even if you don't believe me."

"I'm much obliged," I said; and I believed then, and believe now, that
she was sincere.