In fact, I feel an interest in you,
my friend, and shall be glad to do you a service."
"You are very kind, and I'm obleeged to you," said the farmer
gratefully.
"Now, if you will excuse me for a few minutes, I will go into the
smoking-car and have a smoke."
When he had left the car, Luke immediately left his seat, and went
forward to where the farmer was sitting.
"Excuse me," he said, "but I saw you talking to a young man
just now."
"Yes," answered the farmer complacently, "he's a relative of
President Madison."
"I want to warn you against him. I know him to be a swindler."
"What!" exclaimed the farmer, eying Luke suspiciously. "Who be you?
You're nothing but a boy."
"That is true, but I am traveling on business. This Mr. Coleman
tried to rob me about a fortnight since, and nearly succeeded. I
heard him talking to you about money."
"Yes, he was going to help me invest some money I have with me. He
said he could get me ten per cent."
"Take my advice, and put it in a savings-bank. Then it will be
safe. No man who offers to pay ten per cent. for money can be
relied upon."
"Perhaps you want to rob me yourself?" said the farmer suspiciously.
"Do I look like it?" asked Luke, smiling. "Isn't my advice good, to
put the money in a savings-bank? But I will tell you how I fell in
with Mr. Coleman, and how he tried to swindle me, and then you can
judge for yourself."
This Luke did briefly and his tone and manner carried conviction.
Pages:
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196