CHAPTER XXV — MR. J. MADISON COLEMAN

 Luke didn't shrink from the long trip before him. He enjoyed the prospect¹ of it, having always longed to travel and see distant places. He felt flattered by Mr. Armstrong's confidence in him, and stoutly² resolved to deserve it. He would have been glad if he could have had the company of his friend Linton, but he knew that this was impossible. He must travel alone.

 

"You have a difficult and perplexing task, Luke," said the capitalist. "You may not succeed."

 

"I will do my best, Mr. Armstrong."

 

"That is all I have a right to expect. If you succeed, you will do me a great service, of which I shall show proper appreciation⁴."

 

He gave Luke some instructions, and it was arranged that our hero should write twice a week, and, if occasion required, oftener, so that his employer might be kept apprised⁵ of his movements.

 

Luke was not to stop short of Chicago. There his search was to begin; and there, if possible, he was to obtain information that might guide his subsequent steps.

 

It is a long ride to Chicago, as Luke found. He spent a part of the time in reading, and a part in looking out of the window at the scenery, but still, at times, he felt lonely.

 

"I wish Linton Tomkins were with me," he reflected. "What a jolly time we would have!"

 

But Linton didn't even know what had become of his friend. Luke's absence was an occasion for wonder at Groveton, and many questions were asked of his mother.

 

"He was sent for by Mr. Reed," answered the widow. "He is at work for him."

 

"Mr. Reed is in New York, isn't he?"

 

"Yes."

 

It was concluded, therefore, that Luke was in New York, and one or two persons proposed to call upon him there, but his mother professed⁶ ignorance of his exact residence. She knew that he was traveling, but even she was kept in the dark as to where he was, nor did she know that Mr. Armstrong, and not Mr. Reed, was his employer.

 

Some half dozen hours before reaching Chicago, a young man of twenty-five, or thereabouts, sauntered along the aisle⁷, and sat down in the vacant seat beside Luke.

 

"Nice day," he said, affably.

 

"Very nice," responded Luke.

 

"I suppose you are bound to Chicago?"

 

"Yes, I expect to stay there awhile."

 

"Going farther?"

 

"I can't tell yet."

 

"Going to school out there?"

 

"No."

 

"Perhaps you are traveling for some business firm, though you look pretty young for that."

 

"No, I'm not a drummer, if that's what you mean. Still, I have a commisison from a New York business man."

 

"A commission—of what kind?" drawled the newcomer.

 

"It is of a confidential⁸ character," said Luke.

 

"Ha! close-mouthed," thought the young man. "Well, I'll get it out of him after awhile."

 

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.

 

"And I hope we will get better acquainted. If you're not permanently⁹ employed by this party, whose name you don't give, I will get you into the employ of Claflin & Co., if you would like it."

 

"Thank you," answered Luke, who thought it quite possible that he might like to obtain a position with so eminent¹⁰ a firm. "How long have you been with them?"

 

"Ten years—ever since I was of your age," promptly¹¹ answered Mr. Coleman.

 

"Is promotion¹² rapid?" Luke asked, with interest.

 

"Well, that depends on a man's capacity. I have been pushed right along. I went there as a boy, on four dollars a week; now I'm a traveling salesman—drummer as it is called—and I make about four thousand a year."

 

"That's a fine salary," said Luke, feeling that his new acquaintance must be possessed¹³ of extra ability to occupy so desirable a position.

 

"Yes, but I expect next year to get five thousand—Claflin knows I am worth it, and as he is a liberal man, I guess he will give it sooner than let me go."

 

"I suppose many do not get on so well, Mr. Coleman."

 

"I should say so! Now, there is a young fellow went there the same time that I did—his name is Frank Bolton. We were schoolfellows together, and just the same age, that is, nearly—he was born in April, and I in May. Well, we began at the same time on the same salary. Now I get sixty dollars a week and he only twelve—and he is glad to get that, too."

 

"I suppose he hasn't much business capacity."

 

"That's where you've struck it, Luke. He knows about enough to be clerk in a country store—and I suppose he'll fetch up there some day. You know what that means—selling sugar, and tea, and dried apples to old ladies, and occasionally measuring off a yard of calico, or selling a spool¹⁴ of cotton. If I couldn't do better than that I'd hire out as a farm laborer¹⁵."

 

Luke smiled at the enumeration¹⁶ of the duties of a country salesman. It was clear that Mr. Coleman, though he looked city-bred, must at some time in the past have lived in the country.

 

"Perhaps that is the way I should turn out," he said. "I might not rise any higher than your friend Mr. Bolton."

 

"Oh, yes, you would. You're smart enough, I'll guarantee. You might not get on so fast as I have, for it isn't every young man of twenty-six that can command four thousand dollars a year, but you would rise to a handsome income, I am sure."

 

"I should be satisfied with two thousand a year at your age."

 

"I would be willing to guarantee you that," asserted Mr. Coleman, confidently. "By the way, where do you propose to put up in Chicago?"

 

"I have not decided¹⁷ yet."

 

"You'd better go with me to the Ottawa House."

 

"Is it a good house?"

 

"They'll feed you well there, and only charge two dollars a day"

 

"Is it centrally located?"

 

"It isn't as central as the Palmer, or Sherman, or Tremont, but it is convenient to everything."

 

I ought to say here that I have chosen to give a fictitious¹⁸ name to the hotel designated by Mr. Coleman.

 

"Come, what do you say?"

 

"I have no objection," answered Luke, after a slight pause for reflection.

 

Indeed, it was rather pleasant to him to think that he would have a companion on his first visit to Chicago who was well acquainted with the city, and could serve as his guide. Though he should not feel justified¹⁹ in imparting to Mr. Coleman his special business, he meant to see something of the city, and would find his new friend a pleasant companion.

 

"That's good," said Coleman, well pleased. "I shall be glad to have your company. I expected to meet a friend on the train, but something must have delayed him, and so I should have been left alone."

 

"I suppose a part of your time will be given to business?" suggested Luke.

 

"Yes, but I take things easy; when I work, I work. I can accomplish as much in a couple of hours as many would do in a whole day. You see, I understand my customers. When soft sawder is wanted, I am soft sawder. When I am dealing²⁰ with a plain, businesslike man, I talk in a plain, businesslike way. I study my man, and generally I succeed in striking him for an order, even if times are hard and he is already well stocked."

 

"He certainly knows how to talk," thought Luke. In fact, he was rather disposed to accept Mr. Coleman at his own valuation, though that was a very high one.

 

"Do you smoke?"

 

"Not at all."

 

"Not even a cigarette?"

 

"Not even a cigarette."

 

"I was intending to ask you to go with me into the smoking-car for a short time. I smoke a good deal; it is my only vice³. You know we must all have some vices²¹."

 

Luke didn't see the necessity, but he assented²², because it seemed to be expected.

 

"I won't be gone long. You'd better come along, too, and smoke a cigarette. It is time you began to smoke. Most boys begin much earlier."

 

Luke shook his head.

 

"I don't care to learn," he said.

 

"Oh, you're a good boy—one of the Sunday-school kind," said Coleman, with a slight sneer²³. "You'll get over that after a while. You'll be here when I come back?"

 

Luke promised that he would, and for the next half hour he was left alone. As his friend Mr. Coleman left the car, he followed him with his glance, and surveyed him more attentively²⁴ than he had hitherto done. The commercial traveler was attired²⁵ in a suit of fashionable plaid, wore a showy necktie, from the center of which blazed a diamond scarfpin. A showy chain crossed his vest, and to it was appended a large and showy watch, which looked valuable, though appearances are sometimes deceitful.

 

"He must spend a good deal of money," thought Luke. "I wonder that he should be willing to go to a two-dollar-a-day hotel."

 

Luke, for his own part, was quite willing to go to the Ottawa House. He had never fared luxuriously²⁶, and he had no doubt that even at the Ottawa House he should live better than at home.

 

It was nearer an hour than half an hour before Coleman came back.

 

"I stayed away longer than I intended," he said. "I smoked three cigars, instead of one, seeing you wasn't with me to keep me company. I found some social fellows, and we had a chat."

 

Mr. Coleman absented himself once or twice more. Finally, the train ran into the depot²⁷, and the conductor called out, "Chicago!"

 

"Come along, Luke!" said Coleman.

 

The two left the car in company. Coleman hailed a cab—gave the order, Ottawa House—and in less than five minutes they were rattling²⁸ over the pavements toward their hotel.

 

1 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

2 stoutly   

adv.牢固地，粗壮的

参考例句：

• He stoutly denied his guilt.他断然否认自己有罪。
• Burgess was taxed with this and stoutly denied it.伯杰斯为此受到了责难，但是他自己坚决否认有这回事。

3 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

4 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

5 apprised   

v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价

参考例句：

• We were fully apprised of the situation. 我们完全获悉当时的情况。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I have apprised him of your arrival. 我已经告诉他你要来。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

6 professed   

公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的

参考例句：

• These, at least, were their professed reasons for pulling out of the deal. 至少这些是他们自称退出这宗交易的理由。
• Her manner professed a gaiety that she did not feel. 她的神态显出一种她并未实际感受到的快乐。

7 aisle   

n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道

参考例句：

• The aisle was crammed with people.过道上挤满了人。
• The girl ushered me along the aisle to my seat.引座小姐带领我沿着通道到我的座位上去。

8 confidential   

adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的

参考例句：

• He refused to allow his secretary to handle confidential letters.他不让秘书处理机密文件。
• We have a confidential exchange of views.我们推心置腹地交换意见。

9 permanently   

adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地

参考例句：

• The accident left him permanently scarred.那次事故给他留下了永久的伤疤。
• The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London.该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。

10 eminent   

adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的

参考例句：

• We are expecting the arrival of an eminent scientist.我们正期待一位著名科学家的来访。
• He is an eminent citizen of China.他是一个杰出的中国公民。

11 promptly   

adv.及时地，敏捷地

参考例句：

• He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
• She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。

12 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

13 possessed   

adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的

参考例句：

• He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
• He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。

14 spool   

n.（缠录音带等的）卷盘（轴）；v.把…绕在卷轴上

参考例句：

• Can you wind this film back on to its spool?你能把这胶卷卷回到卷轴上去吗？
• Thomas squatted on the forward deck,whistling tunelessly,polishing the broze spool of the anchor winch.托马斯蹲在前甲板上擦起锚绞车的黄铜轴，边擦边胡乱吹着口哨。

15 laborer   

n.劳动者，劳工

参考例句：

• Her husband had been a farm laborer.她丈夫以前是个农场雇工。
• He worked as a casual laborer and did not earn much.他当临时工，没有赚多少钱。

16 enumeration   

n.计数，列举；细目；详表；点查

参考例句：

• Predictive Categoriesinclude six categories of prediction, namely Enumeration, Advance Labeling, Reporting,Recapitulation, Hypotheticality, and Question. 其中预设种类又包括列举(Enumeration)、提前标示(Advance Labeling)、转述(Reporting)、回顾(Recapitulation)、假设(Hypotheticality)和提问(Question)。 来自互联网
• Here we describe a systematic procedure which is basically "enumeration" in nature. 这里介绍一个本质上是属于“枚举法”的系统程序。 来自辞典例句

17 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

18 fictitious   

adj.虚构的，假设的；空头的

参考例句：

• She invented a fictitious boyfriend to put him off.她虚构出一个男朋友来拒绝他。
• The story my mother told me when I was young is fictitious.小时候妈妈对我讲的那个故事是虚构的。

19 justified   

a.正当的，有理的

参考例句：

• She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
• The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。

20 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

21 vices   

缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳

参考例句：

• In spite of his vices, he was loved by all. 尽管他有缺点，还是受到大家的爱戴。
• He vituperated from the pulpit the vices of the court. 他在教堂的讲坛上责骂宫廷的罪恶。

22 assented   

同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The judge assented to allow the prisoner to speak. 法官同意允许犯人申辩。
• "No," assented Tom, "they don't kill the women -- they're too noble. “对，”汤姆表示赞同地说，“他们不杀女人——真伟大！

23 sneer   

v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语

参考例句：

• He said with a sneer.他的话中带有嘲笑之意。
• You may sneer,but a lot of people like this kind of music.你可以嗤之以鼻，但很多人喜欢这种音乐。

24 attentively   

adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神

参考例句：

• She listened attentively while I poured out my problems. 我倾吐心中的烦恼时，她一直在注意听。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She listened attentively and set down every word he said. 她专心听着，把他说的话一字不漏地记下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

25 attired   

adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The bride was attired in white. 新娘穿一身洁白的礼服。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It is appropriate that everyone be suitably attired. 人人穿戴得体是恰当的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

26 luxuriously   

adv.奢侈地，豪华地

参考例句：

• She put her nose luxuriously buried in heliotrope and tea roses. 她把自己的鼻子惬意地埋在天芥菜和庚申蔷薇花簇中。 来自辞典例句
• To be well dressed doesn't mean to be luxuriously dressed. 穿得好不一定衣着豪华。 来自辞典例句

27 depot   

n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站

参考例句：

• The depot is only a few blocks from here.公共汽车站离这儿只有几个街区。
• They leased the building as a depot.他们租用这栋大楼作仓库。

28 rattling   

adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词

参考例句：

• This book is a rattling good read. 这是一本非常好的读物。
• At that same instant,a deafening explosion set the windows rattling. 正在这时，一声震耳欲聋的爆炸突然袭来，把窗玻璃震得当当地响。