Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter I
Itissplendid,splendid,toseeacommunitysopatriotic.”
Themanufacturer,Cedarquist,fixedtheartistwithaglanceofmelancholyinterest.
“Andhowmuch,”heremarked,“willtheycontribute—yourgingerbreadwomenandpublic-spiritedcapitalists,towardstheblowingupoftheruinsoftheAtlasIronWorks?”
“Blowingup?Idon’tunderstand,”murmuredtheartist,surprised.“WhenyougetyourEasterncapitalistsoutherewithyourMillion-DollarFair,”continuedCedarquist,“youdon’tpropose,doyou,toletthemseeaMillion-DollarIronFoundrystandingidle,becauseoftheindifferenceofSanFranciscobusinessmen?Theymightaskpertinentquestions,yourcapitalists,andweshouldhavetoanswerthatourbusinessmenpreferredtoinvesttheirmoneyincornerlotsandgovernmentbonds,ratherthantobackupalegitimate,industrialenterprise.Wedon’twantfairs.Wewantactivefurnaces.Wedon’twantpublicstatues,andfountains,andparkextensionsandgingerbreadfetes.Wewantbusinessenterprise.Isn’titlikeus?Isn’titlikeus?”heexclaimedsadly.“Whatamelancholycomment!SanFrancisco!Itisnotacity—itisaMidwayPlaisance.Californialikestobefooled.DoyousupposeShelgrimcouldconvertthewholeSanJoaquinValleyintohisbackyardotherwise?Indifferencetopublicaffairs—absoluteindifference,itstampsusall.OurStateistheveryparadiseoffakirs.YouandyourMillion-DollarFair!”HeturnedtoHartrathwithaquietsmile.“Itisjustsuchmenasyou,Mr.Hartrath,thataretheruinofus.
