Chapter 9 Two body master
McMurdo soon made a name for himself.Wherever he went, those around him knew it immediately.In less than a week McMurdo had become a figure of great importance in the Shafter flat.There were ten or twelve boarders here, but they were honest foremen or ordinary shop clerks, quite different from the temperament of the young Irishman.In the evenings, when they were together, McMurdo was always good at talking and laughing, and he sang very well.He is a natural best friend with a charm that puts those around him in a good mood.
But time and time again, like he did on the train, he showed superhuman intelligence and sudden rage, which made people awe-inspiring.His indifference to the law and all who enforced it pleased some of his fellow-citizens and alarmed others.
From the very beginning, he made it obvious, and openly praised that from the moment he saw her beauty and grace, the daughter of the owner of the house had captured his heart.He was not a faltering suitor, and the next day he confessed his love to the girl, and he has been repeating his love for her ever since, regardless of what she might say to discourage him.
"Who else!" he exclaimed, "well, let him be unlucky! Let him be careful! Can I give up my life's chances and the person I want with all my heart and soul? You can insist 'No,' Etty! But someday you'll say 'yes', and I'm young enough to wait."
McMurdo was a dangerous suitor, with an Irish tongue and a knack for coaxing and coaxing.He also has rich experience and mysterious charm, which can win the favor of women and finally get her love.He spoke of the lovely valleys of Monagan County, where he was born, of the fascinating remote islands, low hills, and green meadows by lakes, from which he imagined the scenery from such dusty and snowy places. , It seems to make people feel that it is more beautiful and infinite.
He then turned to life in northern cities, familiar with Detroit and some of the new logging towns of Michigan, and eventually Chicago, where he worked in a sawmill.Then there was an allusion to the love affairs, to the strange things that happened in that metropolis, and those strange things were so strange and so secret that words could hardly tell.Sometimes he turns away from the topic suddenly and thoughtfully, sometimes the topic is interrupted suddenly, sometimes he flies to a magical world, and sometimes he ends up in this dreary and desolate valley.And Itdie listened quietly to his story, her big black eyes shone with pity and sympathy, and these two emotions must turn into love so quickly and so naturally.
As McMurdo was a well-educated man, he found a temporary job as a bookkeeper.This took up most of his daylight hours, and he had no time to report to the head of the Freedmen's Chapter.McMurdo was only reminded one night when his traveling companion, Mike Scanlon, whom he had met on the train, came to visit him.Scanlon was a small, thin-faced, dark-eyed, timid man.He was glad to see McMurdo again.After a whiskey or two, Scanlon explained his visit.
"Well, McMurdo," said Scanlon, "I remember your address, so I take the liberty of coming to you, and I wonder why you haven't reported to the Lord, and why haven't you called on Chief McGinty? ?”
"Ah, I'm looking for something, too busy."
"If you have nothing else to do, you must find time to see him. God, man, you're crazy not to register your name with the union the first morning after you get here! If you offend him , alas, you must never... just stop here!"
McMurdo was a little surprised, and said: "Scanlon, I have been a member for more than two years, and I have never heard of such an urgent obligation."
"Maybe not in Chicago!"
"Well, it's the same club there too."
"Really?" Scanlan stared at him for a long time, his eyes flashing fiercely.
"Isn't it?"
"You can explain these things to me in a month. I heard that you had an argument with the police after I got out of the car."
"How do you know these things?"
"Well, good and bad things travel fast in this place."
"Well, all right. I told them what I thought of these fellows."
"My God, you're going to be McGinty's confidant!"
"What? Does he hate these cops too?"
Scanlon burst into laughter.
"Go and see him, my boy," Scanlon said to McMurdo, as he took his leave. "If you don't see him, he hates the police, he hates you. Now, please." Take the advice of a friend and go see him at once!"
It so happened that on this very evening McMurdo was confronted with a more urgent circumstance which obliged him to do so.Perhaps it was because his concern for Ittie was more obvious than before, and perhaps this concern was gradually noticed by the well-meaning German landlord.But no matter what the reason was, anyway, the landlord invited the young man into his room and got to the point without any disguise.
"It seems to me, sir," said he, "that you are growing in love with my Etty, is that so? Or am I mistaken?"
"Yes, that's exactly it," answered the young man.
"Well, now I'll tell you straight, it's no use. Someone's got her before you."
"She told me that too."
"Well, you must believe she is telling the truth. But has she told you who this man is?"
"No, I asked her, but she wouldn't tell me."
"I don't think she'll tell you, little girl. Maybe she doesn't want to scare you away."
"Scare away!" McMurdo burst into a rage.
"Oh, yes, my friend! You have no shame in being afraid of him. This man is Ted Baldwin."
"Who is this demon?"
"He's a leader of the Dead Cool Party."
"The Cool! I've heard of it before. There's the Cool here, there's the Cool there, and they're always whispering! What are you all afraid of? Who are the Cool guys?"
The landlord instinctively lowered his voice like everyone does when talking about the terrorist organization.
"The Cool Party," he said, "is the Society of Freedmen."
The young man was taken aback, and said, "Why? I am a Freeman myself."
"You! If I'd known, I'd never let you live with me—even if you gave me a hundred dollars a week."
"What's wrong with this free man? The purpose of the constitution is fraternity and the promotion of friendship."
"Some places might be like that. Not here!"
"What is it like here?"
"It's an assassination organization, that's exactly what it is."
McMurdo smiled disbelievingly, and asked:
"What proof do you have?"
"Evidence! Fifty assassinations, I'm afraid! Like Millman and Van Shorst, and the Nicholsons, old Mr. Higham, Billy James Jr., and others Evidence? Evidence is needed! Is there a man or woman in this valley who doesn’t understand the Death Cool Party?”
"Well!" said McMurdo earnestly, "I want you to take back what you said, or to apologize to me. You must do one of those things before I move. Put yourself in my place, I am I'm a stranger in this town and I'm a member of a society, but all I know is that it's a pure society. You can find it all over the country, but it's always a pure society. Now, just as I'm planning to join here when you said it was all a murderous society called the 'Dead Cool Party'. I think you owe me an apology, or please explain, Mr. Shaft."
"I can only tell you that it is known all over the world, sir. The head of the Freedmen's Society is the head of the Cruelty. If you offend one, the other will take revenge on you. We have too much evidence." .”
"It's just gossip! I want evidence!" said McMurdo.
"If you'd lived here longer, you'd have found the proof yourself. But I forgot you were one of them. You'd be as bad as them soon. But you could live elsewhere, sir." .I can't keep you here anymore. It's bad enough that a diehard came to seduce my Etty and I dare not refuse, can I take another as my lodger? Yes, Really, after tonight, you can't live here anymore."
McMurdo knew, therefore, that he would be driven not only from his comfortable quarters, but from the girl he loved.That very night, he found Itdie sitting alone in the room, and he told her about his troubles.
"True, though your father has ordered your eviction," said McMurdo, "if it were merely a matter of my lodgings, I should not care. But, honestly, Etty, though I have known you only a week, You are already indispensable in my life, I cannot live without you!"
"Oh, don't say it, Mr. McMurdo! Don't say it!" said the girl. "I told you, didn't I? You're too late. There's another person who, even if I didn't promise Marry him, at least I will never marry anyone else."
"Etty, if I propose to you first, will that be all right?"
Covering her face with her hands, the girl whimpered, "My God, how I wish you were the first to propose!"
McMurdo knelt down before her, and said aloud:
"For God's sake, Etie, then do as you just said! Are you willing to destroy your happiness and my life's happiness for a small promise? My love, do as you want! You know what you just said, and that's more reliable than any promise you've made."
McMurdo placed Itdie's little white hand between his two large, strong brown hands, and said:
"Tell me that you are mine, and let us work together to deal with the unexpected."
"We're not staying here, are we?"
"No, just stay here."
"No, no, Jack!" said she, now with McMurdo in his arms, "not here. Will you take me away?"
McMurdo's face showed momentary hesitation, but at last a look of resolute determination.
"No, stay here," he said. "We won't budge, Etty, and I'll protect you."
"Why don't we leave together?"
"No, Edie, I can't get out of here."
"Why exactly?"
"If I feel I've been driven out, I can't hold my head up again. Besides, what's the fear here? Aren't we free men in a free country? If you love me, I'll I love you too, who would dare to intervene between us?"
"You don't know, Jack, you've been here too shortly. You don't know this Baldwin. You don't know McGinty and his gang."
"Yes, I don't know them, but I don't fear them, and I don't trust them!" said McMurdo. "I've been among rough people, my dear, and I'm not only not afraid of them, but they always turn out to be Afraid of me--always, Etie. At first glance, it looks like madness! If these people, as your father said, have been doing crimes in this valley many times, and everyone knows their names, how can there be no one? Are people punished by the law? Please answer my question, Itdie!"
"Because no one dares to testify. If anyone testifies, he will not live for a month. And because they have many accomplices, they always come out and give false testimony that the defendant has nothing to do with a certain case. Jack, sure You'll see all this for yourself! I knew every paper in America had a story about it."
"Yes, I've seen some, but I always thought it was made up. Maybe there's a reason for these people to do it. Maybe they've been wronged and have to."
"Oh, Jack, I don't like that kind of talk! That's what he said--the man!"
"Baldwin—did he say that too? Did he?"
"That's why I hated him. Well, Jack, I can tell you the truth now, I hated him with all my heart, but I was afraid of him. I was afraid of him for my own sake, but mainly for my father's sake. , I am afraid of him. I know that if I dare to tell him the truth, then our father and son will suffer a lot. That's why I perfunctory him. In fact, our father and son are only left There's hope for that. If you can take me away, Jack, we can take my father with us, and be free from the power of these villains forever."
McMurdo's look of indecision returned, and then he said emphatically:
"You won't be in trouble, Etty, and neither is your father. As for the wicked, as long as we live, you'll find that I'm worse than the worst of them."
"No, no, Jack! I trust you completely."
McMurdo smiled bitterly: "My God, you don't know me so well! My dear, your pure soul can't even imagine what I've been through. But now, who's here?"
At this moment, the door opened suddenly, and a young guy swaggered in in the manner of a master.He was a handsome, well-dressed young man, about the same age and build as McMurdo, wearing a black felt hat with a large brim, which he didn't bother to take off when he entered the door. He had a handsome face and a pair of fierce eyes. The domineering eyes and the crooked hooked nose glared rudely at the young man and woman sitting by the fire.
Edie jumped to her feet, bewildered and terrified.
"I'm glad to see you, Mr. Baldwin," she said. "You came earlier than I thought. Come and sit down."
Baldwin stood with his arms akimbo, looking at McMurdo.
"Who is this?" he asked curtly.
"Mr. Baldwin, this is my friend, the new lodger, Mr. McMurdo. May I introduce you to Mr. Baldwin?"
The two young men nodded in mutual hostility.
"Perhaps Miss Etty has told you about us?" said Baldwin.
"I don't know what the relationship between you two is."
"Don't you know? Well, you should understand now. I can tell you that this girl is mine. Look, the weather is fine tonight. Go for a walk."
"Thank you, I'm not in the mood for a walk."
"Aren't you going?" The man's eyes were blazing with anger. "Perhaps you are thinking of a duel, Mr. Tenant?"
"I have it," cried McMurdo, springing up, "you're the most popular word!"
"For God's sake, Jack! Oh, for God's sake!" cried poor Etty, distraught. "Oh, Jack, Jack, he'll kill you!"
"Ah, call him 'Jack,' eh?" Baldwin swore. "Have you guys made out like this already? Haven't you?"
"Oh, Ted, be sensible, be kind! For my sake, Ted, if you love me, be kind and forgive him!"
"I think, Etty, if you leave the two of us alone, we can settle the matter," said McMurdo quietly, "or else, Mr. Baldwin, you can come out into the street with me, today It was a good night and there were lots of open fields in the neighborhood."
"I can kill you without even getting my hands dirty," said his adversary, "and you will regret coming to this house before I finish you."
"There has never been a better time," cried McMurdo.
"I'm going to choose my own time, sir. Just wait and see. Please look here!" Baldwin rolled up his sleeves suddenly, and pointed to a strange mark branded on his forearm: a triangle inside a circle, " Do you know what that means?"
"I don't know, and I don't bother to know!"
"Well, you'll know, I bet you. You won't live long. Maybe Miss Etty can tell you these things. Speaking of you, Etty, you're coming to me on your knees, you hear?" ?Girl! Kneel down! Then I will tell you what kind of punishment you deserve. Since you have planted melons, I want to see you reap the fruits yourself!" He glared at the two of them furiously, turned and left, and the door opened in the blink of an eye. It slammed shut behind him.
McMurdo and the girl stood for a moment in silence.Then she stretched out her arms and hugged him tightly.
"Oh, Jack, how brave you are! But it's no use—you must run away! Go tonight, Jack, go tonight! It's your only hope. He's going to kill you. How can you deal with so many of them? Besides, they have Chief McGinty and all the power of the chapter behind them."
McMurdo took her hands away, kissed her, and gently helped her into a chair and sat down.
"My dear, please don't be afraid of me. I was a member of the Freedmen's Club there too. I told your father. Maybe I'm not much better than them, so don't think me a saint. Maybe you'll hate me, too. Now I've told you all."
"Hate you? Jack! I'll never hate you as long as I live. I've heard it's okay to be a Freedman anywhere but here. How can I make you a villain for that? But since you're a Freedmen, Jack, why don't you make friends with McGinty? Oh, come on, Jack, come on! You've got to sue first, or this mad dog won't let you go."
"I think so too," said McMurdo. "I'll go and make some arrangements now. You can tell your father I'm staying here to-night, and I'll look for another lodging in the morning."
The bar at the McGinty's was packed as usual.Because it's the favorite playground of every rascal and drinker in town.McGinty was beloved because of his jovial and rugged disposition, which formed a mask which completely concealed his true nature.But, not to speak of his fame, he was not only feared by the whole town, but in the whole valley for thirty miles, and on the hills on either side of the valley.Based on this alone, his bar is full of people, because no one dares to neglect him.
He was known to be a cunning man, and besides the secret forces, McGinty was a high-ranking government official, a city council member, a highway chief, and it was the rogues who had chosen him for protection under him. of.Excessive and miscellaneous taxes are becoming more and more heavy; social public welfare undertakings are not managed, and they are notorious; account auditors are bribed everywhere to confuse the accounts; decent citizens are afraid of their open extortion, and they are all silent, for fear of disaster.
And so, from year to year, Chief McGinty's diamond brooch grew more and more dazzling, his gold watch-chain peeped out from under his very luxurious waistcoat grew heavier, and the tavern he kept in town It is expanding more and more, almost occupying one side of the market.
McMurdo pushed open the fashionable door of the tavern, and stepped into the throng within.The tavern was smoky, reeking of wine, brightly lit, and the vivid colors reflected and added to by the huge, dazzling mirrors on the four walls.A few waiters in short-sleeved shirts were busily mixing drinks for the bums who stood at the wide metal counters.
At the other end of the hotel, a tall, well-built man, leaning sideways by the counter, a cigar protruding obliquely from the corner of his mouth to form an acute angle, was none other than the famous McGinty himself.He was a swarthy giant with a full beard and a mop of jet black hair that fell down to his collar.His complexion was as swarthy as an Italian's, and his eyes were startlingly dark, squinting contemptuously, making his appearance all the more menacing.
Everything else about the man—his symmetry, his good looks, his frank disposition—befitted the cheerful, honest air he had pretended to be.People will say that this is a frank and honest man, whose heart is true and good, however rough his words may be.It is only when his dark, sullen eyes are turned on a man that he cowers and feels that he is facing a potential infinite disaster, behind which lies strength, courage and cunning, making this kind of The disaster seemed deadly.
McMurdo eyed his man carefully, and, with his usual indifference, pressed forward with boldness, pushing aside the little group of sycophants who were trying to ingratiate themselves with the powerful chief, Going along with the most banal jokes he tells and laughing out loud.The mighty gray eyes of the young visitor met fearlessly through the spectacles of the black eyes which looked sternly at him.
"Hi, young man. I can't remember who you are."
"I'm new here, Mr. McGinty."
"Have you not the habit of addressing a gentleman by a noble title?"
"He's Mr. Senator McGinty, young man," said a voice from the crowd.
"I'm sorry, Senator. I don't know the customs of this place. But I've been asked to see you."
"Oh, you've come to see me. I'm here head and toe. What do you think of me?"
"Oh, it's too early to tell, but if your heart were as great as your body, and your soul as good as your face, then I would ask for nothing more," said McMurdo.
"Why, you have such an Irish tongue," exclaimed the tavern-keeper, not quite sure whether he was accommodating the bold visitor, or defending his dignity, "and you think my Appearance is totally up to par."
"Of course," said McMurdo.
"Someone asked you to come see me?"
"yes."
"Who told you that?"
"It's Brother Scanlon of the Vermissa Chapter 341. I wish you health, Mr. Senator, and a toast to our friendly acquaintance." McMurdo picked up a glass of wine, raised his little finger, and held it He raised it to his mouth and drank it all in one gulp.
McGinty studied McMurdo carefully, raising his thick black eyebrows.
"Oh, that's pretty much the case, isn't it?" said McGinty. "I'm going to double check. Your name is--"
"McMurdo."
"Take a closer look, Mr. McMurdo, for we never take people here on credulity, and never quite believe what we are told. Please follow me to the back of the bar."
The two walked into a small room surrounded by wine barrels.McGinty closed the door carefully, sat on a wine barrel, chewed his cigar thoughtfully, looked at each other with bulging eyes, and sat for two minutes without saying a word.
McMurdo accepted McGinty's scrutiny with a smile, one hand in his coat pocket and the other twirling his brown moustache.Suddenly McGinty stooped and drew a formidable pistol.
"Well, my boy," said McGinty, "if I catch you playing a game with us, it's the end of you."
McMurdo replied solemnly: "Seldom is such a welcome given to a foreign brother by the head of a Freemen's Section."
"Well, that's what I wanted you to show your identification," said McGinty. "If you can't, don't be surprised. Where did you get your membership?"
"Chicago Chapter 29."
"What time?"
"June 24, 1872."
"Who is the body master?"
"James H. Sturko."
"Who is the speaker of your district?"
"Bartholomew Wilson."
"Why! You've been very eloquent during this examination. What are you doing there?"
"Working, like you, is nothing more than a poor job."
"You answered very quickly."
"Yes, I'm always fluent in answering questions."
"Are you quick to do things too?"
"Anyone who knows me knows I have this reputation."
"Well, we're going to try you out shortly. Have you heard anything about the chapter here?"
"I heard it takes good men as brothers."
"You are right, Mr. McMurdo. Why did you leave Chicago?"
"I can't tell you about that."
McGinty opened his eyes wide, amused by such an impertinent answer as he had never heard before, and asked:
"Why won't you tell me?"
"Because brethren do not lie to their own kind."
"Then it must be unspeakable."
"You can say that, too, if you like."
"Hey, sir, you can't expect me, as a body owner, to accept a person who can't tell his resume to join the club."
McMurdo looked perplexed, then, drawing a scrap of old newspaper from his underwear pocket, said:
"Won't you tell people?"
"If you ever say that to me again, I'll give you a couple of slaps," McGinty said angrily.
"You are right, Mr. Senator," said McMurdo meekly. "I owe you an apology. I did not mean to say it. Well, I know I am safe in your hands. Please read this clipping."
McGinty glanced at the report: In early January, 1874, at the Lake Hotel on Market Street in Chicago, a man named Jonas Pinto had been murdered.
"You did it?" McGinty asked, returning the clipping.
McMurdo nodded.
"Why did you kill him?"
"I help mint gold coins privately. Maybe my gold coins are not as good as his, but they look good and they are cheap to mint. This man named Pinto helped me sell counterfeit coins..."
"do what?"
"Ah, it means to let the counterfeit coins be circulated and used. Later he said that he was going to inform. Maybe he really did. I killed him without hesitation, and fled to this coal mining area."
"Why did you flee to the coal mines?"
"Because I read in the newspaper that the murderer is not very conspicuous here."
McGinty laughed:
"You were first a counterfeiter and then a murderer, and you came here because you thought you would be welcome here."
"That's pretty much it," replied McMurdo.
"Well, I see you have a bright future. Hey, can you still mint counterfeit money?"
McMurdo drew six gold pieces from his pocket, and said, "That's not from the Philadelphia Mint."
"I don't think so!" McGinty stretched out his big hairy hand like an orangutan's claw, and held up the coin to the lamp for a closer look. "I can't see the difference! Well, I think you are a brother who can do a lot. McMur My friend, we've got a bad guy or two in our gang, because we have to protect ourselves. If we don't shove back whoever pushes us, we're going to hit a wall right now."
"Okay, I think I'm going to do my part with everyone."
"I see you have a lot of guts. You didn't flinch when I pointed a pistol at you."
"It wasn't me who was in danger then."
"So, who is it?"
"It's you, Mr. Senator," said McMurdo, drawing an open-head pistol from the pocket of his duffel coat. You are slow."
McGinty flushed with anger, and then burst out laughing.
he said, "hey, haven't seen a dreadful fellow like you in ages. I think the club will be proud of you... Hey, what the hell are you up to? I can't talk to a gentleman for five minutes alone Why? Why do you have to bother us?"
The bartender stood bewildered and reported, "I'm sorry, Mr. Senator. But Mr. Ted Baldwin said he must see you at this moment."
In fact, there was no need for the waiter to announce it, because the man himself had poked his fierce face over the servant's shoulder.He pushed the waiter out and closed the door.
"Then," said he, with a scowling look at McMurdo, "you came here first, didn't you? Senator, I have something to say to you about this man."
"Say it here to my face, then," cried McMurdo.
"When I say it and how I say it, it's all up to me."
"Tut, tsk!" said McGinty, jumping down from the barrel. "That's no way. Baldwin, here's a new brother, and we can't welcome him like that. Hold out your hand, friend, and make peace with him." Bar!"
"Never!" said Baldwin furiously.
"If he thinks I've charged him, I propose to fight him," said McMurdo, "with bare hands, or whatever he chooses to do. Well, Mr. Senator, you are Lord, please judge."
"what 's the truth?"
"For a young girl. She is free to choose her lover."
"Can she do that?" Baldwin exclaimed.
"Since it's two brethren from our branch that are being chosen, I say she can do it," said the leader.
"Oh, that's your judgment, isn't it?"
"Yes, that's right, Ted Baldwin," said McGinty, staring at him viciously. "Are you still arguing?"
"Do you want to abandon a friend who has been with you for five years in order to protect someone who has never lived? You will not be a boss all your life, Jack McGinty, God knows, when the next election... "
McGinty pounced on Baldwin like a hungry tiger, put his hand around Baldwin's neck, and pushed him onto a wine barrel, where McGinty would have strangled Baldwin in his rage had it not been for McMurdo to stop him.
"Wait, Mr. Senator! For God's sake, take it easy!" McMurdo drew him back.
McGinty let go, and Baldwin, dying of terror, trembling like a man who had escaped death, sat on the barrel he had just bumped into.
"Ted Baldwin, you've been asking for this for days. Now you're satisfied," McGinty cried out, panting. Take my place. But as long as I am the chief here, I will never let a man raise his voice against me and defy my judgment."
"I have nothing against you," Baldwin muttered, stroking his throat with his hand.
"Well, then," cried McGinty at once, pretending to be pleased, "we're all good friends again, and that's the end of the matter."
McGinty took a bottle of champagne from the shelf and uncorked it.
"Now," continued McGinty, filling three goblets, "let us all toast to reconciliation. From now on, you know, we can't hold each other's grudges. Now, my good friend, Ted Baldwin, are you angry that I'm talking to you, sir."
"The cloud is still looming."
"But it's about to shine forever."
"I swear, I hope so."
They drank, and Baldwin and McMurdo followed suit.
McGinty, rubbing his hands triumphantly, cried out, "All grudges are gone now. You must abide by the discipline of the club from now on. Brother Baldwin, there are strict rules in the club, you know. Brother McMurdo, you If you're asking for trouble, you'll be out of luck soon."
"I don't go for trouble, I promise," said McMurdo, holding out his hand to Baldwin. "I'm apt to quarrel and forget about it: they say it's our Irish passions. It's over. It’s over, and I won’t remember it in my heart.”
As McGinty was glaring at him fiercely, Baldwin shook hands with McMurdo perfunctorily.But it was evident from his sullen countenance that he had not been moved in the slightest by what McMurdo had just said.
McGinty patted them both on the shoulder.
"Oh! these girls, these girls!" exclaimed McGinty, "it's bad luck if there's a woman like that between our two brothers. Well, because it's not a bod As far as can be judged, let the matter be settled by the fair lady in question. God will approve of it. Well, we have had enough without these women. Well, Brother McMurdo, you may join the Three hundred and forty-one. We have our own rules and methods, unlike Chicago. We have a meeting on Saturday night, and if you come, we can give you forever a share in all the rights of Vermissa Valley."
Notes:
Notes: