The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-15
By Joseph
III O C h / n &
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write to La Libertad tell our people to
be honest, to think for themselves, and let
not the priests think for them. To trust in
God and do the right, to work hard and to
be merciful and manly"
AYE, and hereby you go against the
priests and against the leaders of the
town."
AYE, but do my duty"
Senior Sagasta shrugged his shoulders.
AYE. and you are foolish" he said. You
are rich and can be richer You speak the
truth. but you cut your own throat. The
priests denounce you, and although you
grow rich, and. through your English con-
nections, independent of those who love
you not, you are nothing; los hidalgos
scorn you and old families shrug their
shoulders when your name is mentioned.
Well, you ask for my daughter. But sup
pose say Yes What happens? She who
might be Marqueza Del Andromeda is the
wife of Carlos Saragossa, the poor lad who
has risen, but who is a Protestant, an
enemy to the priests, an enemy to bull
fights, and called a Socialist. tell you, as
a Sagasta, as the alcalde, brother-in-law Of
the captain general L cannot say Yes"
you refuse me, then?'
What would you? cannot do other
wise. If said Yes the people would say:
'Ah! he also hates priestly rule, he hates
bull fights and then, where is my popu-
larity? Would they let me be alcalde any
longer? sabe Dios! but think not"
And yet have heard you say that you
agree with my views"
Isl, but what would you? / am alcalde,
and L must not write them banner
and fiaunt them"
$50 you refuse me?"
AYE, if you will be a fool. But look. you,
Carlos, i like you, and-well / think you
know Valentin's heart Now, L love VAL
entin, too, and / cannot let her marry a
nobody. tell you this: When you are an
alcalde you shall marry Valentino
But to do that / should have to become
a councillor. aye and connive at their do
fngs. / should have to be the chief patron
of the bull fight, which hate
AYE, and you would have to hold your
tongue about the priests, but you would
have Valentino
THAT is your final answer"
AYE, that is my final answer. Have a Gig
arctic? All! here is my brother-in-law. the
captain general, so 1 must leave you. Think
over what have said, and come to see me
again, or Sunday. Buenes noches Carlos.
Va con Dios.'
Carlos Saragossa left the courtyard, and
passed out into the garden; when he reached
secluded corner he heard footstep.
''Carlos."
He turned and saw a dark-eyed Spanish
girl. She would be regarded as too short
of stature and somewhat too full of form
to be an English beauty, but to the Spaniard
she was looked upon as fair beyond words.
"Valentin, muy amado." he said.
''You have spoken. Carlos mio?"
Eyes, / have spoken. And then he told
her what had taken place between him and
her father.
For some time she was silent, then she
said: 81 am always yours. Carlos milo. 1
love you dearly, dearly. l always shall. If
you can, do what my father bids you. But
do the right, Carlos, and trust in God.
Buenes noehes amado. Va con Dios. Hasta
un otre dias''
Then Carlos went to his house to think
of the future.
IL
To such purpose did Carlos Saragossa
think and act that within a short time of
his conversation with Senior Sagasta he
was a member of the Council of AMARILLO
Moreover, he grew in favor with the people
with great rapidity. 1t is true he was still
regarded with suspicion by those who had
long held the reins of government and re-
ceived but scant courtesy from los hidalgos
But they were few, and the populacho, the
people, were many. Some of them could
read. and as his doings and sayings were
reported in La Libertad, those who could
read told them to those who could not
much knowledge, much skill and much la.
Dor. and Carlos devoted all these to it, and
brought 1t to successful issue. He saw
and that their money was devoted to tht
purposevfor which 1t was intended.
AM! said the people, he is our friend
Our money does not stick to his fingers
and he keeps watchful eye on the others
| He must be our alcalde. 1t is true that Al
present Senior Sagasta is alcalde, but
change must come, and II change, why
not Carlos?"
Presently, moreover, 1t leaked out thai
Senior Sagasta had promised that his daugh
ter should become the wife of Carlos only
| on condition that he rose to the position o.
Alcalde, and ell ma istrado principal o.
| Amarillo.
''Ah.' laughed his friends. well. Seno
| Carlos shall be made happy. Valentin is 6
| beautiful girl, and Carlos is rich he is hon
est, he employs much labor, he pays gooS
wages and he sees that the public money
| is honestly spent. He is our man. We will
| use all our power and he shall be Alcalde
he shall be Corregidor.'
| The people have power even in Spain; II
| truth, they are more feared there than il
| any country in Europe For the Spaniard
good humored and indolent as he is, is ais,
| passionate, and when he is once aroused
| he will try and get his way. Much as man!
| disliked 1t, they saw there would be a rio
/ in the town If the claims of Carlos wer
| not recognized. Moreover, he had not beer
so violent against the priests of late and al
| a consequence much of the opposition
| against him had ceased.
Ii came about, then. that Carlos in
| remarkably short space of time became
kind of deputy mayor and was called
| upon to act in Senior Sagasta's place.
IL was in August when Carlos was ele
| ter he gained golden opinions everywhere
| 1t is true he was not admitted into tn
| Casa Sagasta as the betrothed of Valentin
| nevertheless, it was generally understoo,
| that she was to be his wife. Moreover, /
was the talk of the whole town. "Seno
| Sagasta must retire soon," the cottager
said, land now he is deputy il is only ;
| step. All, Carlos is wise. He will do moth
| ing that will destroy his chances"
As was natural, Carlos was very happy
| He had been true to his ideals during tn
time he had been a member of the Council
| and had done much work. He saw, too
| that had he two or three others of tn
same way of thinking he could purify tn
| whole municipal life of the town
| Then came trouble. There was a grea
| religious feast day In Amarillo. Whel
| priests and acolytes walked in procession
bearing banners and carrying relics, an,