Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія
Chapter II
Itwasinscribedatthetop“TariffScheduleNo.8,”andunderneaththesewords,inbrackets,wasasmallerinscription,“SUPERSEDESNO.7OFAUG.1”
“Seeforyourself,”saidS.Behrman.Heindicatedanitemundertheheadof“Miscellany.”
“Thefollowingratesforcarriageofhopsincarloadlots,”readDyke,“takeeffectJune1,andwillremaininforceuntilsupersededbyalatertariff.ThosequotedbeyondStocktonaresubjecttochangesintrafficarrangementswithcarriersbywaterfromthatpoint.”
Inthelistthatwasprintedbelow,DykesawthattherateforhopsbetweenBonnevilleorGuadalajaraandSanFranciscowasfivecents.
ForamomentDykewasconfused.Thenswiftlythematterbecameclearinhismind.TheRailroadhadraisedthefreightonhopsfromtwocentstofive.
Allhiscalculationsastoaprofitonhislittleinvestmenthehadbasedonafreightrateoftwocentsapound.Hewasundercontracttodeliverhiscrop.Hecouldnotdrawback.Thenewrateateupeverycentofhisgains.Hestoodthereruined.
“Why,whatdoyoumean?”heburstout.“YoupromisedmearateoftwocentsandIwentaheadwithmybusinesswiththatunderstanding.Whatdoyoumean?”
S.Behrmanandtheclerkwatchedhimfromtheothersideofthecounter.
“Therateisfivecents,”declaredtheclerkdoggedly.
“Well,thatruinsme,”shoutedDyke.“Doyouunderstand?Iwon’tmakefiftycents.MAKE!Why,IwillOWE,—I’llbe—be—Thatruinsme,doyouunderstand?”
Theother,raisedashoulder.
“Wedon’tforceyoutoship.Youcandoasyoulike.Therateisfivecents.
