"Yes," replied the farmer, eagerly.

"I am myself a banker and broker, and deal in government securities. If the amount is not too large, I will buy your coupons and pay for them at once."

"That will be handy," said the farmer. "I've got thirty dollars in cowpons."

"And you, my young friend?" said the so-called broker, addressing Harry.

"I have rather more than that," said Harry, in a reserved tone.

Somehow, he was suspicious of the plausible stranger.

"I will pay you a higher price than most houses, besides saving you all the trouble," said the broker, insinuatingly, as he drew out a capacious wallet, and, opening it, exhibited a pile of bills.

The farmer immediately drew out his coupon.

"Let me see," said the broker; "thirty dollars, gold at the present premium comes to thirty-six dollars."

"Thirty-six dollars!" repeated the farmer, complacently. "Sarah'll feel rich when she gets that money."

"Here's your money," said the broker, producing three ten-dollar bills, a five and a one. "The bills are new, you perceive."

The farmer put away the bills in his old wallet, and the stranger slipped the coupon carelessly into his vest pocket.

"Now, my young friend, I am ready to attend to your matter," he said, turning to Harry.

"I won't trouble you," said Harry, coldly; "I prefer to dispose of the coupons in the city."

"Just as you like; but you would do better to deal with me."

"Why?" asked Harry.

"In the city they will allow you but a hundred and nineteen for gold."

"How is it you can afford to do better by me?" asked Harry, shrewdly.

"Our house makes a point of dealing liberally with their customers,"

said the broker.

"What is the name of your firm?"

"Chase & Atkins," answered the other glibly. "I am a relative of Salmon Chase, ex-secretary of the treasury, and, since, chief justice of the Supreme Court."

"You don't say!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the farmer. "Salmon Chase is a great man."

"So he is. Thank you, sir, for your appreciation of my distinguished relative. Of course, it doesn't make me any better to be related to that great man, but I am naturally proud of it."

"Hadn't you better sell your coupons to him?" asked the farmer, who was quite prepossessed in favor of the gentlemanly stranger.

"No, sir; I was instructed to sell in Wall Street, and I prefer to do so."

"Oh, just as you please," said Mr. Chase. "You will lose by it, but that's your affair. Good-morning, gentlemen. I have a friend in the next car."

So saying, he bowed, and left the car.

"Well, my business was easily done," said the farmer.

"Will you allow me to look at the bills he gave you?" asked Harry.

"Sartain! Why?" and the farmer drew out his wallet.

Harry took one of the bills in his hand and examined it carefully, but he was not an expert, and could not judge whether it was good or not.

"Don't you think it's good?" asked the farmer, uneasily.

"I presume it is; but I didn't like the looks of the man you had dealings with."

"He is of good family," said the farmer.

"He says he is," responded Harry, significantly, "and I hope it's all right. We'll wait till the conductor comes along, and ask him about the bills."

Fifteen minutes elapsed, however, before that official made his rounds, and during that time the train stopped at two stations. At one of these Harry's suspicions were increased by seeing that Mr. Chase got out.

At last the conductor appeared, and Harry pa.s.sed him the bill.

"Is that bill good?" he asked.

The conductor held it up to the light, and shook his head.

"No," he said; "it's one of a quant.i.ty of counterfeits that has lately made its appearance. Where did you get it?"

"It belongs to me," said the farmer, his honest countenance exhibiting much distress. "I took it in payment for some cowpons."

"Who gave it to you?"

An explanation was given.

"I noticed the man," said the conductor. "He is a well-known swindler.

Have you got any more?"

The others were exhibited. Out of them all the conductor declared that only the one-dollar bill was genuine.

Probably it had not been thought worth while to counterfeit a bill of so low a denomination.

"Oh, what'll Sarah say?" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the distressed farmer. "What a tarnal fool I've been! She wanted me to buy her a nice dress out of it, and I've only got a dollar left!"

"Perhaps the man may be caught," suggested Harry.

"I don't believe it. Simon Jones, you ain't fit to go around alone.