"Three years ago, if you had started out for a day's tramp with me
along a country road every farmer we met would have had a 'Howdy'
for us, and perhaps stopped for a chin. You'd have heard whistling
or singing from every man at work, and the farmer's wife would have
called to you that she had some fresh buttermilk. Take such a tramp
today and you'll find a tremendous change. I can't estimate the sum
the farmers and villagers have been robbed of during the past years
of prosperity, but it is something appalling for the whole country.
As much and more has been taken out of victims in the cities, but the
case is different. The man in the city doesn't pin his faith to an
advertisement. He speculates on chance. He is where he can use the
law, if needs be. If he loses here he goes at it to get even there.
With the other class it is a dead loss, and the swindler can give them
the laugh. Take almost any highway you will, leading through almost
any state, and eight farmers out of ten have been made victims. Even
the man who has not lost above $10 has been hardened by it.