Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Andnow,whenhardtimescomealong,andtheyarecuttingwages,whatdotheydo?Dotheymakeanydiscriminationinmycase?Dotheyrememberthemanthatstoodbythemandriskedhislifeintheirservice?No.Theycutmypaydownjustasoff-handastheydothepayofanydirtylittlewiperintheyard.Cutmealongwith—listentothis—cutmealongwithmenthattheyhadBLACK-LISTED;strikersthattheytookbackbecausetheywereshortofhands.”Hedrewfiercelyonhispipe.“Iwenttothem,yes,Idid;IwenttotheGeneralOffice,andatedirt.ItoldthemIwasafamilyman,andthatIdidn’tseehowIwasgoingtogetalongonthenewscale,andIremindedthemofmyserviceduringthestrike.Theswinetoldmethatitwouldn’tbefairtodiscriminateinfavourofoneman,andthatthecutmustapplytoalltheiremployeesalike.Fair!”heshoutedwithlaughter.“Fair!HeartheP.andS.W.talkingaboutfairnessanddiscrimination.That’sgood,thatis.Well,Igotfurious.Iwasafool,Isuppose.Itoldthemthat,injusticetomyself,Iwouldn’tdofirst-classworkforthird-classpay.Andtheysaid,’Well,Mr.Dyke,youknowwhatyoucando.’Well,Ididknow.Isaid,’I’llaskformytime,ifyouplease,’andtheygaveittomejustasiftheyweregladtobeshutofme.Sothereyouare,Presley.That’stheP.&S.W.RailroadCompanyofCalifornia.Iamonmylastrunnow.”

           “Shameful,”declaredPresley,hissympathiesallaroused,nowthatthetroubleconcernedafriendofhis.“It’sshameful,Dyke.