I know now that he wanted a reliable witness of the rent troubles which were growing acute in Schoharie, Delaware and Columbia Counties.
It was a trial to go so far from home, as Aunt Deel put it, but both my aunt and uncle agreed that it was "for the best." "Mr.Purvis" had come to work for my uncle.

In the midst of my preparations the man of gristle decided that he would like to go with me and see the world and try his fortune in another part of the country.
How it wrung my heart, when Mr.Purvis and I got into the stage at Canton, to see my aunt and uncle standing by the front wheel looking up at me.

How old and lonely and forlorn they looked! Aunt Deel had her purse in her hand.

I remember how she took a dollar bill out of it--I suppose it was the only dollar she had--and looked at it a moment and then handed it up to me.
"You better take it," she said.

"I'm 'fraid you won't have enough." How her hand and lips trembled! I have always kept that dollar.
I couldn't see them as we drove away.
I enjoyed the ride and the taverns and the talk of the passengers and the steamboat journey through the two lakes and down the river, but behind it all was a dark background.