it was going to fall on me, and what it was going to be.  There is ways to keep off some kinds of bad luck, but this wasn't one of them kind; so I never tried to do anything, but just poked along low-spirited and on the watch-out. I went down to the front garden and clumb over the stile where you go through the high board fence.  There was an inch of new snow on the ground, and I seen somebody's tracks.  They had come up from the quarry and stood around the stile a while, and then went on around the garden fence.  It was funny they hadn't come in, after standing around so.  I couldn't make it out.  It was very curious, somehow.  I was going to follow around, but I stooped down to look at the tracks first.  I didn't notice anything at first, but next I did.  There was a cross in the left boot-heel made with big nails, to keep off the devil. I was up in a second and shinning down the hill.  I looked over my shoulder every now and then, but I didn't see nobody.  I was at Judge Thatcher's as quick as I could get there.  He said: “Why, my boy, you are all out of breath.  Did you come for your interest?” “No, sir,” I says; “is there some for me?” “Oh, yes, a half-yearly is in last night--over a hundred and fifty dollars.  Quite a fortune for you.  You had better let me invest it along with your six thousand, because if you take it you'll spend it.” “No, sir,” I says, “I don't want to spend it.  I don't want it at all--nor the six thousand, nuther.  I want you to take it; I want to give it to you--the six thousand and all.” He looked surprised.  He couldn't seem to make it out.  He says: “Why, what can you mean, my boy?” I says, “Don't you ask me no questions about it, please.  You'll take it--won't you?” He says: “Well, I'm puzzled.  Is something the matter?” “Please take it,” says I, “and don't ask me nothing--then I won't have to tell no lies.” He studied a while, and then he says: “Oho-o!  I think I see.  You want to _sell_ all your property to me--not g