They saddled their horses and mounted and rode up to the door. After their acknowledgments and farewells Brimstead came close to Samson and said in confidence: "I enjoy bein' a millionaire for a few minutes now an' then. It's as good as goin' to a circus an' cheaper."
"The feelings of a millionaire are almost as good as the money while they last," said Abe Lincoln with a laugh.
Brimstead came up to him and whispered: "They're better 'cause if you can keep away from Samson Traylor you don't have any fear o' bein' robbed."
"It reminds me o' the time I used to play I was a horse," said Samson as they rode away. In a moment he added: "Abe, the state is getting in a bad way."
"It looks as if you were right," said the member from Sangamon County. "It's a bad sign to find men like Peasley and Brimstead going crazy."
Up the road they passed many farms unsown and staked into streets and avenues. The hand of industry had been checked by dreams of wealth.
"The land that once laughed with fatness now has a lean and solemn look," Abe admitted. "But I reckon you'll find that kind of thing going on all over the country-east and west."
"It reminds me of those fellers that danced on the table an' smashed the dishes at the banquet," said Samson.
"They had the same kind o' feelin's that Brimstead has," said the legislator. "I wish we had had you in the House."
"They would have thrown me out of a window."