标题: 《Tarcan of the Hoboes》作者： - Damon Knight 【EPUB】 [打印本页] 作者: zaq 时间: 2013-10-3 13:41 标题: 《Tarcan of the Hoboes》作者： - Damon Knight 【EPUB】 Tarcan of the HoboesDamon KnightMagazine of Fantasy and Science FictionOctober 1982In the spring of the year 19— John Clayton and his pregnant young wife set out on a journey by railroad from Boston to Los Angeleswhere Clayton had been offered a post as manager of an orange plantation. Claytons father the banker Cyrus T. Clayton was amillionaire many times over but it was his wish that his son earn his own way in the world rather than become a playboy or neer-do-welltherefore Clayton and his bride were poor but their hopes were high. On the third day as Clayton was taking the air in the vestibule hehappened to observe the conductor and a porter standing close together just inside the next car. Words were exchanged which Claytoncould not hear then the conductor whose face was empurpled with rage struck the porter and knocked him down.Clayton stepped across to the vestibule of the next car and opened the door. The porter with blood on his lip was trying to rise and thecon-ductor had drawn back his foot to kick him.quotLook herequot said Clayton quietly removing his pipe from his mouth quotThis wont do you know.quot The conductor turned to him with a fouloath. quotYoure only a d—d pas-sengerquot he said. quotKeep out of this if you know whats good for you Mr. Clayton.quotThe porter meanwhile got to his feet and slunk away casting a malev-olent glance back over his shoulder at the conductor.quotI may be only a passenger as you sayquot Clayton said quotBut if I observe any such conduct again I shall report you.quotThe conductor who was obviously drunk stared at him sullenly with his reddened eyes then turned