Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Theywereallhisassociates,hisgoodfriends,thegroupwashisenvironment,belongingtohisdailylife.Andhe,standingthereinthedustoftheroadbytheirrigatingditch,hadseenthemshot.Hefoundhimselfsuddenlyathistable,thecandleburningathiselbow,hisjournalbeforehim,writingswiftly,thedesireforexpression,thecravingforoutlettothethoughtsthatclamouredtumultuousathisbrain,nevermoreinsistent,moreimperious.Thushewrote:

           “Dabneydead,Hoovendead,Harrandead,Annixterdead,Brodersondead,Ostermandying,S.Behrmanalive,successful;theRailroadinpossessionofQuienSabe.Isawthemshot.NottwelvehourssinceIstoodthereattheirrigatingditch.Ah,thatterriblemomentofhorrorandconfusion!powdersmoke—flashingpistolbarrels—bloodstains—rearinghorses—menstaggeringtotheirdeath—Christianinahorribleposture,onerigidleghighintheairacrosshissaddle—Brodersonfallingsidewaysintotheditch—Ostermanlayinghimselfdown,hisheadonhisarms,asiftired,tiredout.Thesethings,Ihaveseenthem.Thepictureofthisday’sworkisfromhenceforthpartofmymind,partofME.Theyhavedoneit,S.Behrmanandtheownersoftherailroadhavedoneit,whilealltheworldlookedon,whilethepeopleoftheseUnitedStateslookedon.Oh,comenowandtryyourtheoriesuponus,usoftheranchos,us,whohavesuffered,us,whoKNOW.Oh,talktoUSnowofthe’rightsofCapital,’talktoUSoftheTrust,talktoUSofthe’equilibriumbetweentheclasses.’Tryyouringeniousideasuponus.WEKNOW.