Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           ”

           “Ishouldsayasmuch,”remarkedthemanufacturer,turningtowardsMagnus.“I’mwatchingyourfightwithShelgrim,Mr.Derrick,witheverydegreeofinterest.”Heraisedhisdrinkofwhiskeyandsoda.“Here’ssuccesstoyou.”

           Ashereplacedhisglass,theartistHartrathjoinedthegroupuninvited.Asapretext,heengagedLymaninconversation.Lyman,hebelieved,wasamanwitha“pull”attheCityHall.InconnectionwithaprojectedMillion-DollarFairandFlowerFestival,whichatthatmomentwasthetalkofthecity,certainstatuesweretobeerected,andHartrathbespokeLyman’sinfluencetofurtherthepretensionsofasculptorfriendofhis,whowishedtobeArtDirectoroftheaffair.InthematterofthisFairandFlowerFestival,Hartrathwasnotlackinginenthusiasm.Headdressedtheotherswithextravagantgestures,blinkinghisinflamedeyelids.

           “Amilliondollars,”heexclaimed.“Hey!thinkofthat.Why,doyouknowthatwehavefivehundredthousandpracticallypledgedalready?Talkaboutpublicspirit,gentlemen,thisisthemostpublic-spiritedcityonthecontinent.Andthemoneyisnotthrownaway.WewillhaveEasternvisitorsherebythethousands—capitalists—menwithmoneytoinvest.Themillionwespendonourfairwillbemoneyinourpockets.Ah,youshouldseehowthewomenofthiscityaretakingholdofthematter.Theyaregivingallkindsoflittleentertainments,teas,’OldeTymeSingingSkules,’amateurtheatricals,gingerbreadfetes,allforthebenefitofthefund,andthebusinessmen,too—pouringouttheirmoneylikewater.