Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter I
“Hello,hello!”criedLyman,jumpingup,extendinghishands,“why,here’sasurprise.Ididn’texpectyoualltillto-night.Comein,comeinandsitdown.Haveaglassofsizz-water,Governor.”
TheothersexplainedthattheyhadcomeupfromBonnevillethenightbefore,astheExecutiveCommitteeoftheLeaguehadreceivedadespatchfromthelawyersithadretainedtofighttheRailroad,thatthejudgeofthecourtinSanFrancisco,wherethetestcaseswerebeingtried,mightbeexpectedtohanddownhisdecisionthenextday.
Verysoonaftertheannouncementofthenewgradingoftheranchers’lands,thecorporationhadoffered,throughS.Behrman,toleasethedisputedlandstotheranchersatanominalfigure.Theofferhadbeenangrilyrejected,andtheRailroadhadputupthelandsforsaleatRuggles’sofficeinBonneville.Attheexorbitantpricenamed,buyerspromptlyappeared—dummybuyers,beyondshadowofdoubt,actingeitherfortheRailroadorforS.Behrman—menhithertounknowninthecounty,menwithoutproperty,withoutmoney,adventurers,heelers.Prominentamongthem,andbiddingfortherailroad’sholdingsincludedonAnnixter’sranch,wasDelaney.
Thefarceofdeedingthecorporation’ssectionstothesefictitiouspurchaserswassolemnlygonethroughwithatRuggles’soffice,theRailroadguaranteeingthempossession.TheLeaguerefusedtoallowthesupposedbuyerstocomeupontheland,andtheRailroad,faithfultoitspledgeinthematterofguaranteeingitsdummiespossession,atoncebegansuitsinejectmentinthedistrictcourtinVisalia,thecountyseat.
