Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter III
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“It’stheonlygamethatseemstowin,”admittedHarrangloomily.“Oreverwillwin,”exclaimedOsterman,asuddenexcitementseemingtotakepossessionofhim.Hisface—thefaceofacomicactor,withitsgreatslitofmouthandstiff,redears—wentabruptlypink.
“Lookhere,”hecried,“thisthingisgettingdesperate.We’vefoughtandfoughtinthecourtsandoutandwe’vetriedagitationand—andalltherestofitandS.Behrmansacksuseverytime.Nowcomesthetimewhenthere’saprospectofabigcrop;we’vehadnorainfortwoyearsandthelandhashadalongrest.Ifthereisanyrainatallthiswinter,we’llhaveabonanzayear,andjustatthisverymomentwhenwe’vegotourchance—achancetopayoffourmortgagesandgetclearofdebtandmakeastrike—hereisShelgrimmakingadealtocinchusandputuprates.Andnowhere’stheprimariescomingoffandanewRailroadCommissiongoingin.That’swhyShelgrimchosethistimetomakehisdeal.IfwewaittillShelgrimpullsitoff,we’redonefor,that’sflat.Itellyouwe’reinafixifwedon’tkeepaneyeopen.Thingsaregettingdesperate.MagnushasjustsaidthatthekeytothewholethingistheRailroadCommission.Well,whynothaveaCommissionofourown?Nevermindhowwegetit,let’sgetit.Ifit’sgottobebought,let’sbuyitandputourownmenonitanddictatewhattherateswillbe.Supposeitcostsahundredthousanddollars.Well,we’llgetbackmorethanthatincheaprates.”
“Mr.Osterman,”saidMagnus,fixingtheyoungmanwithaswiftglance,“Mr.
