America 1919

One day in May, as the roaring steam whistle sounded, a plume of black smoke rose above the locomotive.

A train operated by the Camden-Atlantic City Railway Company came to a halt at the Atlantic City train station.

In Atlantic City, there were two railway companies, namely the Philadelphia-Atlantic City Railway Company and the earlier Camden-Atlantic City Railway Company.

In those days, to prevent the Philadelphia-Atlantic City Railway Company from constructing railways, the Camden-Atlantic City Railway Company did not allow them to transport any construction machinery or use their trains to carry building materials on their tracks.

The boss of the Philadelphia-Atlantic City Railway Company, Cyril Richards, could only bypass Cape May by water to deliver their machinery to the shore, and the railway sleepers were also transported by boat from Baltimore.

On July 7, 1877, the first train of the Philadelphia-Atlantic City Railway Company arrived in Atlantic City from Philadelphia.

As the newcomer, the Philadelphia-Atlantic City Railway Company's railways were somewhat narrower than those of the Camden-Atlantic City Railway Company, and their prices were also cheaper. Round-trip tickets and one-way tickets were priced at 1.5 and 1 US Dollar respectively.

By contrast, round-trip and one-way tickets from the Camden-Atlantic City Railway Company cost 3 and 2 US Dollars respectively.

Of course, the Camden-Atlantic City Railway Company's trains also offered a better environment.

These two companies' trains automatically divided visitors heading to Atlantic City into two categories: the wealthy rode on Camden-Atlantic City Railway Company trains, while the less affluent took the Philadelphia-Atlantic City Railway Company trains.

A man clad in a light grey suit and wearing a confident expression stepped out of the train station, holding a copy of the "Los Angeles Times" that covered the Miss America contest.

"So this is Atlantic City!"

Upon exiting the train station and gazing upon the neatly planned cityscape of Atlantic City, the young man looked pleased with himself.

Just as the young man was preparing to head to the Ritz Hotel, a gaunt white man approached, his face sporting a sycophantic smile.

"Sir, are you here to visit Atlantic City?"

The young man did not show any wariness towards the sudden approach of the white man, laughing as he asked, "How did you know?"

The white man chuckled, "Because in Atlantic City, it's rare to see a gentleman with your poise!"

"Ha-ha!" Delighted by the compliment, the young man laughed heartily and pulled out a 10-dollar bill from his pocket, handing it directly to the man.

Seeing the young man's generosity, the white man became even more attentive.

"Sir, my name is Dick Holab, a purebred Atlantic City man. If this is your first visit to Atlantic City, you must let me be your guide. I'll undoubtedly make you experience the purest joys of Atlantic City!"

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The young man looked at Dick Holab with growing interest and asked with a laugh, "Is that so?"

"Absolutely! And sir, you don't need to worry about your safety at all. Look, here is a certificate issued by the Atlantic City police with a clear record that I am a legal and excellent guide," the man explained.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

While speaking, Dick Holab had already handed his certificate to the young man, featuring the signature of Police Authority Eli Johnson.

The young man became even more interested in Dick's approach, laughing, "I know about tour guides, but I've never heard of a city guide quite like you!"

Dick Holab was accustomed to such questions and patiently explained, "This has all been decided by Mr. Block. He once said that as a tourist city, the most important thing for Atlantic City is to treat every visiting guest with treatment akin to God's. Only in this way can we ensure that esteemed guests like yourself will visit our Atlantic City frequently!"

"Block?" The young man paused slightly, then said, "I've only heard of Nucky in Atlantic City!"

Dick Holab saw the newspaper in the young man's hand and clarified, "Mr. Block is the most generous philanthropist in the West District. Oh, and the Miss America contest that's about to start is managed by Mr. Block's younger brother, Donnie Block."

"The West District? But I heard that the best part of Atlantic City is in the South District?"

The young man continued to voice his questions.

"That's still true for now, however, our West District is undergoing reforms. Mr. Block has said that in the not-too-distant future, the West District will become the second most well-known place in Atlantic City!" Dick Holab said with a smile.

The young man nodded and said, "Lead the way up front!"

Seeing that the other party was willing to hire him, Dick Holab's smile brightened even more. He hailed a Ford Model T that had been waiting by the roadside, helped the young man load his luggage onto the car, and took him directly to the Ritz Hotel!

"I thought you were going to take me straight to the West District!" The young man chuckled as he got out of the car and saw the Ritz Hotel sign.

"Mr. Walker, you are an esteemed guest, naturally you must stay at the best hotel in Atlantic City. Currently, the West District has no hotel that matches your status!"

On the way, Dick Holab learned that the young man was called Walker, but Walker did not mention his surname; at this moment Dick Holab eagerly took Walker's luggage from the car.