He had scarcely seated
himself when, looking around, he discovered, in the second seat
beyond, his old Chicago acquaintance, Mr. J. Madison Coleman.
He was as smooth and affable as ever, and was chatting pleasantly
with a rough, farmerlike-looking man, who seemed very much
taken with his attractive companion.
"I wonder what mischief Coleman is up to now?" thought Luke.
He was so near that he was able to hear the conversation that
passed between them.
"Yes, my friend," said Mr. Coleman, "I am well acquainted
with Detroit. Business has called me there very often, and it
will give me great pleasure to be of service to you in any way."
"What business are you in?" inquired the other.
"I am traveling for H. B. Claflin & Co., of New York. Of course
you have heard of them. They are the largest wholesale
dry-goods firm in the United States."
"You don't say so!" returned the farmer respectfully.
"Do you get pretty good pay?"
"I am not at liberty to tell just what pay I get," said Mr.
Coleman, "but I am willing to admit that it is over four
thousand dollars."
"You don't say so!" ejaculated the farmer. "My! I think
myself pretty lucky when I make a thousand dollars a year.
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