Samson began to joke with him.
"'You're a happy man for one in so much trouble,' said the stranger.
"Then I heard Samson say: 'Well, sir, I'm in a fix where happiness is absolutely necessary.

It's like grease on the wagon wheels--we couldn't go on without it.

When we need anything we make it if we can.

My wife is sick and the wagon is broke and it's raining and night is near in a lonesome country, and it ain't a real good time for me to be down in the mouth--is it now?
We haven't broke any bones or had an earthquake or been scalped by Indians, so there's some room for happiness.' "'Look here, stranger--I like you,' said the man.

'If there's anything I can do to help ye, I'll stop a while.'" * * * * * He spent the night with them and helped mend the felly and set the tire.
The fever and ague passed from one to another and all were sick before the journey ended, although Samson kept the reins in hand through his misery.