Part 69 (2/2)
Generally the Catholics were abused in word and deed by the Moncadists; the members of the Workmen's Club held those of the Benevolent Society for cowards and traitors. Doubtless Father Martin did not wish that his followers should be distinguished by Christian meekness, and he appointed a bully whom people called ”Driveller” Juan warden of the Benevolent Society. This Juan was a lad who lived without working; his mother and his sisters were dressmakers, and he bled them for money, and spent his life in taverns and gambling-dens.
”Driveller” began to insult members of the club, especially the boys, and to defy them, on any pretext. Dr. Ortigosa went to see Caesar and explained the situation. ”Driveller” was a coward, he didn't venture beyond a few peaceable workmen; but if he had defied ”Furibis” or ”Panza” or any of the railway men that belonged to the Club, they would have given him what he deserved. But in spite of ”Driveller's”
cowardice, he inspired terror among the young boys and apprentices.
Dr. Ortigosa was in favour of getting another bully, who could undertake the job of cutting out ”Driveller's” guts.
”Whom are we to get?” asked Caesar.
”We know somebody,” said Ortigosa.
”Who is it?”
”' El Montes.'”
”What kind of a party is he?”
”A bandit like the other, but braver.”
_BANDITS_
”El Montes” had just come out of Ocana.
He was a Manchegan, tall, strong, robust, and had been in the penitentiary several times.
”And how do we manage 'El Montes'?” asked Caesar.
”We make him a servant at the Workmen's Club.”
”He will corrupt the place.”
”Yes, that's true. Then at the right moment we shall send him to the Cafe del Comercio. They gamble at that cafe; he can go there and in two or three days call a halt on 'Driveller' Juan.” ”Good.”
”We must arrange for you to dismiss the new judge and put in some friend of yours, and one fine day we will get a quarrel started and we will put all Father Martin's friends in jail.”
”You two play atrocious politics,” said Alzugaray, who was listening to the conversation.
”It's the only kind that will work,” replied Ortigosa. ”This is scientific politics. Ruffianism converted into philosophy. We are playing a game of chess with Father Martin and we are going to see if we can't win it.”
”But, man, employing all these cut-throats!”
”My dear friend,” responded Caesar, ”political situations include such things; with their heads they touch the n.o.blest things, the safety of one's native land and the race; with their feet they touch the meanest things, plots, vices, crimes. A politician of today still has to mingle with reptiles, even though he be an honourable man.”
”Besides, we need have no scruples,” added Ortigosa; ”the inhabitants of Castro are laboratory guinea-pigs. We are going to experiment on them, we are going to see if they can stand the Liberal serum.”
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