Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter V
Ruggles,youandS.BehrmanandGenslingerandShelgrimandthewholegangofthievesofyou—you’llwakethisStateofCaliforniaupsomeofthesedaysbygoingjustonelittlebittoofar,andthere’llbeanelectionofRailroadCommissionersof,by,andforthepeople,that’llgetatwistofyou,mybunco-steeringfriend—youandyourbackersandcappersandswindlersandthimble-riggers,andsmashyou,lock,stock,andbarrel.That’smytiptoyouandbedamnedtoyou,Mr.CyrusBlacklegRuggles.”
Annixterstormedoutoftheroom,slammingthedoorbehindhim,andRuggles,tremblingwithanger,turnedtohisdeskandtotheblottingpadwrittenalloverwiththewordsLANDS,TWENTYDOLLARS,TWOANDAHALF,OPTION,and,overandoveragain,withgreatswellingcurvesandflourishes,RAILROAD,RAILROAD,RAILROAD.
ButasAnnixterpassedintotheoutsideoffice,ontheothersideofthewirepartitionhenotedthefigureofamanatthecounterinconversationwithoneoftheclerks.TherewassomethingfamiliartoAnnixter’seyeabouttheman’sheavybuiltframe,hisgreatshouldersandmassiveback,andashespoketotheclerkinatremendous,rumblingvoice,AnnixterpromptlyrecognisedDyke.
Therewasameeting.AnnixterlikedDyke,asdideveryoneelseinandaboutBonneville.Hepausednowtoshakehandswiththedischargedengineerandtoaskabouthislittledaughter,Sidney,towhomheknewDykewasdevotedlyattached.
“SmartestlittletadinTulareCounty,”assertedDyke.“She’sgettingprettiereveryday,Mr.Annixter.THERE’Salittletadthatwasjustborntobealady.
