Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           “Comeoverhereandseehowshelooks;”heindicatedthebarnwithamovementofhishead.“Well,we’regettingreadyforyoutonight,”hewentonasthetwofriendscameup.“Buthowwearegoingtogetstraightenedoutbyeighto’clockIdon’tknow.WouldyoubelievethatpipCaraherisshortoflemons—atthislastminuteandItoldhimI’dwantthreecasesof’emasmuchasamonthago,andhere,justwhenIwantagoodlivelysaddlehorsetogetaroundon,somebodyhikesthebuckskinoutthecorral.STOLEher,byjingo.I’llhavethelawonthatthiefifitbreaksme—andasixty-dollarsaddle’n’head-stallgonewithher;andonlyabouthalfthenumberofJaplanternsthatIorderedhaveshownupandnotcandlesenoughforthose.It’senoughtomakeadogsick.There’snothingdonethatyoudon’tdoyourself,unlessyoustandovertheseloaferswithaclub.I’msickofthewholebusiness—andI’velostmyhat;wishtoGodI’dneverdreamedofgivin’thisrottenfooldance.Clutterthewholeplaceupwithalotoffeemales.IsuredidlosemypresenceofmindwhenIgotTHATidea.”

           Then,ignoringthefactthatitwashe,himself,whohadcalledtheyoungmentohim,headded:

           “Well,thisismybusyday.SorryIcan’tstopandtalktoyoulonger.”

           HeshoutedalastimprecationattheChinamanandturnedbackintothebarn.PresleyandVanameewenton,butAnnixter,ashecrossedthefloorofthebarn,allbutcollidedwithHilmaTree,whocameoutfromoneofthestalls,aboxofcandlesinherarms.