Part 63 (2/2)
At this juncture the car door opened and a man in the dirty clothes of a mechanic appeared.
”Don Caesar Moncada?” he inquired.
”What is it?” said Caesar.
”I belong to the Castro Workmen's Club and I have come to welcome you ahead of anybody else,” and he held out his hand. ”Greetings!”
”Greetings! Regards to the comrades,” said Caesar, shaking his hand.
”d.a.m.n it, what enthusiasm!” murmured Alzugaray.
The employee disappeared. On arriving at the station, Alzugaray looked out the window and saw with astonishment that the platform was full of people.
As the car entered the covered area of the station, noisy applause broke out. Caesar opened the door and took off his hat courteously.
”Hurrah for Moncada! Hurrah for the Deputy from Castro! Hurrah for liberty!” they heard the shouts.
Caesar got out of the car, followed by Alzugaray, and found himself surrounded by a lot of people. There were some workmen and peasants, but the majority were comfortable citizens.
They all crowded around to grasp his hand.
Surrounded by this mult.i.tude, they left the station. There Caesar took leave of all his acquaintances and got into a carriage with Alzugaray, while hurrahs and applauses resounded.
”Eh? What did you think of the reception?” asked Caesar.
”Magnificent, my boy!”
”You can't say I behaved like a demagogue.”
”On the contrary, you were too distant.”
”They know I am like that and it doesn't astonish them.”
Caesar had a rented house in Castro and the two friends went to it.
All morning and part of the afternoon committees kept coming from the villages, who wanted to talk with Caesar and consult him about the affairs of their respective munic.i.p.alities.
INAUGURATION OF THE CLUB
In the evening the Workmen's Club was inaugurated. n.o.body in Castro talked of anything else. The Clerical element had advised all religious persons to stay away from the meeting.
The large hall of the Club was profusely lighted; and by half-past six was already completely full.
At seven the ceremony began. The president of the Club, a printer, spoke, and told of Caesar's benefactions; then the Republican bookseller, San Roman, give a discourse; and after him Caesar took up the tale.
He explained his position in the Chamber in detail. The people listened with some astonishment, doubtless wis.h.i.+ng to find an opportune occasion for applause, and not finding it.
<script>