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Updated: May 16, 2025
His enormous face was like one of those gigantic railway bull's-eyes which, screened by the red, signal the stoppage of the train. But it was highly probable that his rival would disregard the block, and decline to shut off steam. This J. R. Taskinar felt. The blood mounted to his brows, and seemed apoplectically congested there.
"Fourteen hundred thousand dollars," said William W. Kolderup. "Fifteen hundred thousand!" retorted J. R. Taskinar. "Sixteen hundred thousand!" "Seventeen hundred thousand!" Have you ever heard the story of the two mechanics of Glasgow, who tried which should raise the other highest up the factory chimney at the risk of a catastrophe?
Notwithstanding his efforts, his threats, and his libels, not to mention the millions of dollars squandered by his electoral courtiers, it was William W. Kolderup who sat in his seat in the Legislative Council of Sacramento. J. R. Taskinar had learnt how, I cannot tell that it was the intention of William W. Kolderup to acquire possession of Spencer Island.
"Three millions, five hundred thousand!" "Four millions," was the answer of William W. Kolderup. It was the last blow of the bludgeon. J. R. Taskinar succumbed. The hammer gave a hard rap on the marble table and Spencer Island fell for four millions of dollars to William W. Kolderup, of San Francisco.
This island seemed doubtless as useless to him as it did to his rival. No matter. Here was another chance for fighting, and perhaps for conquering. J. R. Taskinar would not allow it to escape him.
William W. Kolderup thoroughly knew his man, and on all occasions treated him with scorn enough to drive him to distraction. The last success which J. R. Taskinar could not forgive his opponent was that gained in the struggle over the state elections.
Not only had the development of the mines and speculations in wheat furnished J. R. Taskinar with the occasion of gaining an enormous fortune, but petroleum, like another Pactolus, had run through his treasury. Besides, he was a great gambler, a lucky gambler, and he had found "poker" most prodigal of its favours to him.
William W. Kolderup had turned towards J. R. Taskinar. The bystanders moved back, so as to allow the adversaries to behold each other. The man of Stockton and the man of San Francisco were face to face, mutually staring, at their ease. Truth compels me to state that they made the most of the opportunity. Never would one of them consent to lower his eyes before those of his rival.
"Two millions!" quoth William W. Kolderup, and so quickly that this time he evidently had not taken the trouble to think. His face was a little pale when these last words escaped his lips, but his whole attitude was that of a man who did not intend to give in. J. R. Taskinar was simply on fire.
Now J. R. Taskinar particularly detested William W. Kolderup. He envied him for his wealth, his position, and his reputation. He despised him as a fat man despises a lean one. It was not the first time that the merchant of Stockton had endeavoured to do the merchant of San Francisco out of some business or other, good or bad, simply owing to a feeling of rivalry.
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