Page:Traveler from Altruria, Howells, 1894.djvu/147

Rh a farm in the west you've got to buy it; the east is the only place where folks give them away, because they ain't worth keeping. If you haven't got the ready money, you can buy one on credit, and pay ten twenty and thirty per cent. interest, and live in a dugout on the plains—till your mortgage matures." The young man took his arms from the wheel and moved a few steps backward, as he added, "I'll see you over at the house later."

The driver touched his horses, and we started briskly off again. But I confess I had quite enough of his pessimism, and as we drove away I leaned back toward the Altrurian, and said, "Now, it is all perfect nonsense to pretend that things are at that pass with us. There are more millionaires in America, probably, than there are in all the other civilized countries of the globe, and it is not possible that the farming population should be in such a hopeless condition. All wealth comes out of the earth, and you may be sure they get their full share of it."

"I am glad to hear you say so," said the Altrurian, "What is the meaning of this new party in the west that seems to have held a convention lately? I read something of it in the train yesterday."