The slick-looking individual had listened attentively to all that passed between our hero and the farmer.
He waited until the latter had procured his drink of water and then rushed up with a smile on his face.
"I declare!"he exclaimed."How do you do?"And he extended his hand.
"How do you do?"repeated the farmer,shaking hands slowly.He felt much perplexed,for he could not remember having met the other man before.
"How are matters up on the farm?"went on the stranger.
"Thank you,very good."
"I--er--I don't think you remember me,Mr.Bean,"went on the slick-looking individual.
"Well,somehow I think I know your face,"answered the old farmer,lamely.He did not wish to appear wanting in politeness.
"You ought to remember me.I spent some time in Haydown Center year before last,selling machines.""Oh,you had them patent reapers,is that it?""You've struck it."
"I remember you now.You're a nephew of Judge Davis.""Exactly."
"O'course!O'course!But I can't remember your name nohow.""It's Davis,too--Henry Davis."
"Oh,yes.I'm glad to meet you,Mr.Davis."
"I saw you in the seat with that boy,"went on the man we shall call Henry Davis."I thought I knew you from the start,but Iwasn't dead sure.Going to Philadelphia with us?""Yes,sir."
"Good enough.Mr.Bean,won't you smoke with me?I was just going into the smoker.""Thanks,but I--er--I don't smoke much."
"Just one mild cigar.That won't hurt you,I'm sure.I love to meet old friends,"continued Henry Davis.
In the end the old farmer was pursuaded to walk into the smoking car and here the slick-looking individual found a corner seat where they would be undisturbed.
"I expect to spend a week or more in Philadelphia,Mr.Bean,"said the stranger;"if I can be of service to you during that time,command me.""Well,perhaps ye can be of service to me.Do ye know many folks in the city?""Oh,yes,a great many.Some are business friends and some are folks in high society.""I don't care for no high society.But I've got to collect six hundred dollars an'I want somebody to identify me.""Oh,I can do that easily,Mr.Bean."
"Kin ye?"The farmer grew interested at once."If ye kin I'll be much obliged to ye.""Where must you be identified?"
"Down to the office of Barwell &Cameron,on Broad street.Do ye know 'em?""I know of them,and I can find somebody who does know them,so there will not be the least trouble.""It's a load off my mind,"said Josiah Bean,with a sigh."Ye see,the money is comin'to my wife.She writ to 'em that I was comin'to collect an'they writ back it would be all right,only I would have to be identified.Jest as if everybody in Haydown Center don't know I'm Josiah Bean an'a piller in the Union Church down there,an'a cousin to Jedge Bean o'Lassindale.""Well,they have to be mighty particular when they pay out any money in the city.There are so many sharpers around.""I ain't no sharper."
"To be sure you are not,and neither am I.But I once had trouble getting money.""Is thet so?"
"Yes.But after I proved who I was the folks were pretty well ashamed of themselves,"went on Henry Davis,smoothly.
So the talk ran on and at the end of half an hour the old farmer and the slick-looking individual were on exceedingly friendly terms.Henry Davis asked much about the old man and gathered in a good stock of information.
