“I assure you my affairs are in order, and I will have no trouble leaving tomorrow,” Luke assured him.

“Then I will have my secretary give you what you’ll need to get up to date on what is happening in Minnesota. There is a great deal to accomplish in order to get the Lake Superior and Mississippi in place by next August. One thing, however, that I must remind you of is the conflict between the cities of Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin.”

Luke nodded. He knew very well about the rivalry of the two towns. They were located across from each other on St. Louis and Superior Bays. Separated by the Minnesota and Wisconsin Points, the two cities had long fought for the right to be the primary city on the west end of Lake Superior. Superior, Wisconsin, had better shipping access and thus had grown considerably, but Duluth was no quitter, and with the help of men like Mr. Cooke, who had invested heavily in the success of the little town, prosperity came closer every day.

“I considered sending you by ship, but instead I’m sending you to St. Paul first, and that is best accomplished by rail. A group of men there will be making their way north on the track that’s been laid, and then from the current terminus, they will venture forth on foot, horse, and wagon. I want you with them, and I want your honest opinion of the route they’ve chosen. I’ve heard the area is nothing but swampland and lakes, but we must make do.”

“Very well.” Luke was still unclear as to what his job would be.

“There is a great deal of trouble brewing between the two cities of Duluth and Superior, and I need to know I have a man there who is loyal not to the city nor the railroad but to me. I also want a man of godly resolve. I know you to be a strong Christian man and believe you will pray and keep God’s Word ever present in your heart. This is the kind of man I need in Duluth—the kind of man who will seek God first. Will you be that man for me, Carson?”

Luke had always admired the fact that Jay Cooke was a strong man of God himself. He often opened their meetings in prayer. “Of course, sir. I am happy to go and serve you in this capacity. However, I would like to know exactly what you would have me do while I’m there.”