Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter I
Youorganiseashamoftinselandpasteboard,putonfool’scapandbells,beatagongatastreetcorner,andthecrowdcheersyouanddropsnickelsintoyourhat.Yourginger-breadfete;yes,Isawitinfullblasttheothernightonthegroundsofoneofyourwomen’splacesonSutterStreet.IwasonmywayhomefromthelastboardmeetingoftheAtlasCompany.Agingerbreadfete,myGod!andtheAtlasplantshuttingdownforwantoffinancialbacking.AmilliondollarsspenttoattracttheEasterninvestor,inordertoshowhimanabandonedrollingmill,whereintheonlyactivityisthesaleofremnantmaterialandscrapsteel.”
Lyman,however,interfered.Thesituationwasbecomingstrained.Hetriedtoconciliatethethreemen—theartist,themanufacturer,andthefarmer,thewarringelements.ButHartrath,unwillingtofacetheenmitythathefeltaccumulatingagainsthim,tookhimselfaway.Apictureofhis—“AStudyoftheContraCostaFoot-hills”—wastoberaffledintheclubroomsforthebenefitoftheFair.He,himself,wasinchargeofthematter.Hedisappeared.
Cedarquistlookedafterhimwithcontemplativeinterest.Then,turningtoMagnus,excusedhimselffortheacridityofhiswords.
“He’snoworsethanmanyothers,andthepeopleofthisStateandcityare,afterall,onlyalittlemoreaddle-headedthanotherAmericans.”Itwashisfavouritetopic.Sureoftheinterestofhishearers,heunburdenedhimself.
“IfIweretonametheonecryingevilofAmericanlife,Mr.Derrick,”hecontinued,“itwouldbetheindifferenceofthebetterpeopletopublicaffairs.
