IV

A CANDIDATE FOR "RESPECTABILITY"


To handle this new business properly I must put myself in position
to look the whole field over. I must get in line and in touch with
"respectability." When Sam Ellersly came in for his "rations," I said:
"Sam, I want you to put me up at the Travelers Club."

"The Travelers!" echoed he, with a blank look.

"The Travelers," said I. "It's about the best of the big clubs, isn't it?
And it has as members most of the men I do business with and most of those
I want to get into touch with."

He laughed. "It can't be done."

"Why not?" I asked.

"Oh--I don't know. You see--the fact is--well, they're a lot of old fogies
up there. You don't want to bother with that push, Matt. Take my advice. Do
business with them, but avoid them socially."

"I want to go in there," I insisted. "I have my own reasons. You put me
up."