He had bought a new overcoat, and was drinking a good deal more than was good for him; but he wormed out of me something about my desire for a farm, and after having had a chance to see Rucker he began talking of a compromise.
"The old swindler," said he, "has all the evidence in his own hands; and he and that red-headed spiritual partner of his will swear to anything.
As your legal adviser," said he, "and the legal adviser of your sainted mother, I'd advise you to take anything he is willing to give--within bounds, of course, within bounds." So the next time Rucker sidled into the tavern, and began beslavering me about the way the money left by my mother was being eaten up by expenses and debts, I blurted out: "Well, what will you give me to clear out and let you and your red-headed woodpecker alone ?" "Now," said he, "you are talking sensibly--sensibly.

There is a little farm-out near Blue Mounds that I could, by a hard struggle, let you have; but it would be more than your share--more than your share." This was forty acres, and would have a mortgage on it.

I waited a day or so, and told him I wouldn't take it.

What I was afraid of was the mortgage; but I didn't give my reasons.

Then he came back with a vacant lot in Madison, and then three vacant lots, which I went and looked at, and found in a swamp.