Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Naturally,thetenantsoftheselandsfeelaninterestinthepricewhichtherailroadwillputuponitsholdings,anditisrumouredtheyexpectthelandwillbeofferedtothemfortwodollarsandfiftycentsperacre.Itneedsnoseventhdaughterofaseventhdaughtertoforeseethatthesegentlemenwillbedisappointed.”

           “Rot!”vociferatedAnnixtertohimselfashefinished.Herolledthepaperintoawadandhurleditfromhim.

           “Rot!rot!WhatdoesGenslingerknowaboutit?IstandonmyagreementwiththeP.andS.W.—fromtwofiftytofivedollarsanacre—thereitisinblackandwhite.TheroadISobligated.Andmyimprovements!Imadethelandvaluablebyimprovingit,irrigatingit,drainingit,andcultivatingit.TalktoME.Iknowbetter.”

           ThemostabidingimpressionthatGenslinger’seditorialmadeuponhimwas,thatpossiblythe“Mercury”wasnotsubsidisedbythecorporationafterall.Ifitwas;Genslingerwouldnothavebeenledintomakinghismistakeastothevalueoftheland.Hewouldhaveknownthattherailroadwasundercontracttosellattwodollarsandahalfanacre,andnotonlythis,butthatwhenthelandwasputuponthemarket,itwastobeofferedtothepresentholdersfirstofall.Annixtercalledtomindtheexplicittermsoftheagreementbetweenhimselfandtherailroad,anddismissedthematterfromhismind.Helitacigar,putonhishatandwentout.

           Themorningwasfine,theairnimble,brisk.Onthesummitoftheskeleton-liketoweroftheartesianwell,thewindmillwasturningsteadilyinabreezefromthesouthwest.