Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Hewassmooth-shaven,thin-lipped,withabroadchin,andaprominenthawk-likenose—thecharacteristicofthefamily—thin,withahighbridge,suchasoneseesinthelaterportraitsoftheDukeofWellington.Hishairwasthickandiron-grey,andhadatendencytocurlinaforwarddirectionjustinfrontofhisears.Heworeatop-hatofgrey,withawidebrim,andafrockcoat,andcarriedacanewithayellowedivoryhead.

           AsayoungmanithadbeenhisambitiontorepresenthisnativeState—NorthCarolina—intheUnitedStatesSenate.Calhounwashis“greatman,”butintwosuccessivecampaignshehadbeendefeated.Hiscareercheckedinthisdirection,hehadcometoCaliforniainthefifties.HehadknownandhadbeentheintimatefriendofsuchmenasTerry,Broderick,GeneralBaker,Lick,Alvarado,Emerich,Larkin,and,aboveall,oftheunfortunateandmisunderstoodRalston.OncehehadbeenputforwardastheDemocraticcandidateforgovernor,butfailedofelection.AfterthisMagnushaddefinitelyabandonedpoliticsandhadinvestedallhismoneyintheCorpusChristimines.Thenhehadsoldouthisinterestatasmallprofit—justintimetomisshischanceofbecomingamulti-millionaireintheComstockboom—andwaslookingforreinvestmentsinotherlineswhenthenewsthat“wheathadbeendiscoveredinCalifornia”waspassedfrommouthtomouth.Practicallyitamountedtoadiscovery.Dr.Glenn’sfirstharvestofwheatinColusaCounty,quietlyundertakenbutsuddenlyrealisedwithdramaticabruptness,gaveanewmatterforreflectiontothethinkingmenoftheNewWest.