"
He didn't press the question, not wishing to arouse suspicion
or mistrust.
"Just so," he replied. "You are right to keep it to yourself,
though you wouldn't mind trusting me if you knew me better.
Is this your first visit to Chicago?"
"Yes, sir."
"Suppose we exchange cards. This is mine."
He handed Luke a card, bearing this name.
J. MADISON COLEMAN
At the bottom of the card he wrote in pencil, "representing
H. B. Claflin & Co."
"Of course you've heard of our firm," he said.
"Certainly."
"I don't have the firm name printed on my card, for Claflin
won't allow it. You will notice that I am called for old
President Madison. He was an old friend of my grandfather.
In fact, grandfather held a prominent office under his
administration--collector of the port of New York."
"I have no card with me," responded Luke. "But my name
is Luke Larkin."
"Good name. Do you live in New York?"
"No; a few miles in the country."
"And whom do you represent?"
"Myself for the most part," answered Luke, with a smile.
"Good! No one has a better right to. I see there's something
in you, Luke."
"You've found it out pretty quick," thought Luke.
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