Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Californiasuddenlyleapedunheraldedintotheworld’smarketasacompetitorinwheatproduction.Inafewyearsheroutputofwheatexceededthevalueofherout-putofgold,andwhen,lateron,thePacificandSouthwesternRailroadthrewopentosettlerstherichlandsofTulareCounty—concededtothecorporationbythegovernmentasabonusfortheconstructionoftheroad—MagnushadbeenquicktoseizetheopportunityandhadtakenupthetenthousandacresofLosMuertos.Whereverhehadgone,Magnushadtakenhisfamilywithhim.LymanhadbeenbornatSacramentoduringtheturmoilandexcitementofDerrick’scampaignforgovernor,andHarranatShingleSprings,inElDoradoCounty,sixyearslater.

           ButMagnuswasineverysensethe“prominentman.”Inwhatevercirclehemovedhewasthechieffigure.Instinctivelyothermenlookedtohimastheleader.Hehimselfwasproudofthisdistinction;heassumedthegrandmannerveryeasilyandcarrieditwell.Asapublicspeakerhewasoneofthelastofthefollowersoftheoldschooloforators.Heevencarriedthedictionandmanneroftherostrumintoprivatelife.Itwassaidofhimthathismostcolloquialconversationcouldbetakendowninshorthandandreadoffasanadmirablespecimenofpure,well-chosenEnglish.Helovedtodothingsuponagrandscale,topreside,todominate.InhisgoodhumourtherewassomethingJovian.Whenangry,everybodyaroundhimtrembled.Buthehadnotthegeniusfordetail,wasnotpatient.Thecertaingrandioselavishnessofhisdispositionoccupieditselfmorewithresultsthanwithmeans.