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Show - kk - to make their fortunes. Everywhere you went there were long lines of returned veterans outside of factories seeking jobs. They'd take any job to earn some money to support themselves and their families. I might add that crime was rampant. Especially in the big cities like New York, Chicago and San Francisco. At about this time Dirk's father died. His mother had passed on when he was just a little tyke and he could hardly remember her. He was an only child and, young as he was, he took over his father's fishing fleet. He was determined to make a lot of money fast and I must 3ay that he did. He became involved in smuggling liquor which was against the law at the time as Prohibition was in full swing. Many unscrupulous men were secretly buying whisky that was illigally brought into our country and then selling it to the speakeasies. It was dangerous business. The authorities were constantly on the lookout for bootleggers as they were called. The penalties were very stiff, but the risk was apparently worth it to him as the profits were enormously high, and Dirk didn't lack courage. He used his father's fishing vessels to transport the contraband liquor from the ships which sailed up from Mexico. They'd stand off the shore in deeper water, as they dared not venture any closer because the government agents were keeping a close lookout for them. The liquor was usually hidden under a cargo of fish, which was piled on top of it. Tom shifted his weight from one foot to another and leaned on his rake. He continued his story. "Soon Dirk's appearance began to change. Instead of the callow youth there began to emerge a young man of style and poise. The clothes he wore were immaculate and his suits were cut by. the best tailers in the city. He drove the latest model automobile and, I'm sure that a lot of people wondered where his newly acquired wealth was coming.from. He moved into a fine house in one of the most fashionable areas in San Francisco. It seemed that everything he touched turned into |