The Letters Of Mark Twain, Complete


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into matters there and report to Dr. Martin in time for him to follow on  
the first of March. We propose going via New York. Now, between you and  
I and the fence you must say nothing about this to Orion, for he thinks  
that Ward is to go clear through alone, and that I am to stop at  
New York or New Orleans until he reports. But that don't suit me. My  
confidence in human nature does not extend quite that far. I won't  
depend upon Ward's judgment, or anybody's else--I want to see with my  
own eyes, and form my own opinion. But you know what Orion is. When he  
gets a notion into his head, and more especially if it is an erroneous  
one, the Devil can't get it out again. So I know better than to combat  
his arguments long, but apparently yielded, inwardly determined to go  
clear through. Ma knows my determination, but even she counsels me to  
keep it from Orion. She says I can treat him as I did her when I started  
to St. Louis and went to New York--I can start to New York and go to  
South America! Although Orion talks grandly about furnishing me with  
fifty or a hundred dollars in six weeks, I could not depend upon him  
for ten dollars, so I have "feelers" out in several directions, and  
have already asked for a hundred dollars from one source (keep it to  
yourself.) I will lay on my oars for awhile, and see how the wind sets,  
when I may probably try to get more. Mrs. Creel is a great friend of  
mine, and has some influence with Ma and Orion, though I reckon they  
would not acknowledge it. I am going up there tomorrow, to press her  
into my service. I shall take care that Ma and Orion are plentifully  
supplied with South American books. They have Herndon's Report now.  
Ward  
and the Dr. and myself will hold a grand consultation tonight at the  
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