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It was only a little thing to do, and no trouble; and it's the little things that

smoothes people's roads the most, down here below; it would make Mary Jane

comfortable, and it wouldn't cost nothing. Then I says: "There's one more

thing -- that bag of money." ssssssssss

"Well, they've got that; and it makes me feel pretty silly to think how they

got it." ssssssssss

"No, you're out, there. They hain't got it."

"Why, who's got it?"

"I wish I knowed, but I don't. I had it, because I stole it from them: and

I stole it to give to you; and I know where I hid it, but I'm afraid it ain't

there no more. I'm awful sorry, Miss Mary Jane, I'm just as sorry as I can be;

but I done the best I could; I did, honest. I come nigh getting caught, and I

had to shove it into the first place I come to, and run -- and it warn't a good

place."

"Oh, stop blaming yourself -- it's too bad to do it, and I won't allow it -- you

couldn't help it; it wasn't you fault. Where did you hide it?"

I didn't want to set her to thinking about her troubles again; and I couldn't

seem to get my mouth to tell her what would make her see that corpse laying in

the coffin with that bag of money on his stomach. So for a minute I didn't say

nothing -- then I says: ssssssssss

"I'd ruther not tell you where I put it, Miss Mary Jane, if you don't mind

letting me off; but I'll write it for you on a piece of paper, and you can read it

along the road to Mr. Lothrop's, if you want to. Do you reckon that'll do?"

"Oh, yes!" ssssssssss

ssssssssss

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