When Jim learned earlier in the novel that Pap was the dead man in the floating house, why did he keep this information from Huck?

Jim didn't tell Huck because he didn't want to see his father laying dead inside the boat. He felt it was better Huck not see him that way.

"‘Doan’ you ‘member de house dat was float’n down de river, en dey wuz a man in dah, kivered up, en I went in en unkivered him and didn’ let you come in? Well, den, you kin git yo’ money when you wants it, kase dat wuz him."