Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
Don’tthemanagersandthedirectorsoftheroadeverthinkofthat?Don’ttheyeverthinkofallthehatethatsurroundsthem,everywhere,everywhere,andthegoodpeoplethatjustgrittheirteethwhenthenameoftheroadismentioned?Whydotheywanttomakethepeoplehatethem?No,”shemurmured,thetearsstartingtohereyes,“No,Itellyou,Mr.Presley,themenwhoowntherailroadarewicked,bad-heartedmenwhodon’tcarehowmuchthepoorpeoplesuffer,solongastheroadmakesitseighteenmillionayear.Theydon’tcarewhetherthepeoplehatethemorlovethem,justsolongastheyareafraidofthem.It’snotrightandGodwillpunishthemsoonerorlater.”
Alittleafterthisthetwoyoungmentookthemselvesaway,DykeobliginglycarryingtheminthewagonasfarasthegatethatopenedintotheQuienSaberanch.Ontheway,PresleyreferredtowhatMrs.DykehadsaidandledDyke,himself,tospeakoftheP.andS.W.
“Well,”Dykesaid,“it’slikethis,Mr.Presley.I,personally,haven’tgottherighttokick.Withyouwheat-growingpeopleIguessit’sdifferent,buthops,yousee,don’tcountformuchintheState.It’ssuchalittlebusinessthattheroaddon’twanttobotherthemselvestotaxit.It’sthewheatgrowersthattheroadcinches.TheratesonhopsAREFAIR.I’vegottoadmitthat;IwasintoBonnevilleawhileagotofindout.It’stwocentsapound,andLordloveyou,that’sreasonableenoughtosuitanyman.No,”heconcluded,“I’monthewaytomakemoneynow.
