e?" said Steve, impressed.

"Mainly buying on commission for Mexican and South American
trade--though I handle a good many orders for country dealers, too,"
replied Mitchell. "My specialty is agricultural implements, barbed
wire, machinery and iron stuff generally, for the export trade.
There's things about it would surprise you. Why, such things, farm
machinery more especially, retail in Buenos Ayres at from 40 to 60 per
cent, of what they do here, after paying freight charges and a snug
commission to me."

"How can they do it?" asked Steve, interested.

Mitchell plunged into an explanation of the workings of the tariff and
its effect on home prices. He had it at his fingers' end. Under his
skillful hands the dry subject became really interesting, embellished
with a wealth of illustration and anecdote. He was still deep in
his exposition, when, beyond Scranton, a hand was laid on his arm. A
dapper, little, dark man, with twinkling, black eyes and pointed black
beard, stood in the aisle.

"Well, Mitchell!" he said, with an affectionate pat. "Still riding
your hobby?"

The fat man jumped up, beaming. "Loring! by all that's holy! Let me
make you acquainted with my friend. Mr. Thompson--Mr. Loring. Mr.
Loring is one of our rising young artists."

"The rising young artist," said Loring with a flash of white teeth,
"is trying to get up a whist game, to pass away the time. Will you
gentlemen assist?" He turned aside in a paroxysm of coughing.

"Certainly, certainly--that is, if Mr. Thompson plays.----That's a bad
cough you've got there, Loring."

"Yes--caught cold fishing," said the artist. "Will you join us, Mr.
Thompson?"

"Glad to," said that worthy. "Only my game is bumble-puppy. You can
hardly call it whist. Who's the fourth?"

"Yet to be found," laughed Loring. After a few rebuffs they picked up
a drummer, and adjourned to the smoker, buying a deck from the train
boy. The little dark man and Steve played against the other two, a
suitcase on their knees serving as a table. They played a rubber.
Steve verified his statements as to his style of play.

"Well, that's enough--nearly in," said Loring, as they drew near their
destination.

"Yes, indeed. I must go back to my car. We've had a pleasant game,"
said the fourth man, taking his leave.

"Have a smoke--you'll find these A 1," said the artist. "Say,
Mitchell, I've learned a new trick to illustrate the old saying that
the hand is quicker than the eye." S