Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter I
“Well,Idon’tsupposeyouobjecttobeingheldhere,”observedPresley.“Givesyouachancetovisityourmotherandthelittlegirl.”
“AndpreciselytheychoosethisdaytogouptoSacramento,”answeredDyke.“Justmyluck.Wentuptovisitmybrother’speople.Bytheway,mybrothermaycomedownhere—locatehere,Imean—andgointothehop-raisingbusiness.He’sgotanoptiononfivehundredacresjustbackofthetownhere.Hesaysthereisgoingtobemoneyinhops.Idon’tknow;maybeI’llgoinwithhim.”
“Why,what’sthematterwithrailroading?”
Dykedrewacoupleofpuffsonhispipe,andfixedPresleywithaglance.
“There’sthisthematterwithit,”hesaid;“I’mfired.”
“Fired!You!”exclaimedPresley,turningabruptlytowardhim.“That’swhatI’mtellingyou,”returnedDykegrimly.
“Youdon’tmeanit.Why,whatfor,Dyke?”
“Now,YOUtellmewhatfor,”growledtheothersavagely.“Boyandman,I’veworkedfortheP.andS.W.forovertenyears,andneveroneyelpofacomplaintdidIeverhearfromthem.Theyknowdamnwellthey’venotgotasteadiermanontheroad.Andmorethanthat,morethanthat,Idon’tbelongtotheBrotherhood.Andwhenthestrikecamealong,Istoodbythem—stoodbythecompany.Youknowthat.Andyouknow,andtheyknow,thatatSacramentothattime,Iranmytrainaccordingtoschedule,withagunineachhand,neverknowingwhenIwasgoingoveraminedculvert,andtherewastalkofgivingmeagoldwatchatthetime.Tohellwiththeirgoldwatches!Iwantordinaryjusticeandfairtreatment.
