"Hennesy," said McBryan, "since you are the host here, wouldn't it be in keeping with the rules of good society if you were to serve refreshments5?"
"You can have anything you want. Nothing would please me better than to 'liquor up' my friends. What will you take?"
"Whiskey for me," said McBryan. "I believe I'll take a leetle whiskey, too," Goldberg chimed in. Springer ordered beer. Stover remarked, "Boys, you know I never drink." Hennesy then stepped to the door connecting the bar room with the rear conference room. "Jim," he called to his porter, "bring two whiskeys and two bottles of beer."
After the liquor had been consumed they were ready for business.
"Boys," said Stover, "something must be done or we are going to lose this election."
"There is no getting around the fact that the Klan is strong in this county and section of the state. They have strong candidates. You stand out on the street any day and listen to the conversations on political matters, and about two out of every three men who express themselves are for the Klan candidates," Stover replied.
"You are right," said McBryan. "I heard a bunch of fellows talking down at Zala the other day, and it's the same thing down there."
"I thought you tell us in the Journal there was only a few Klansmen. Hey, Springer, vat you say?"
"Goldberg, you don't suppose I would add to the influence of the Klan by telling the public through my paper that there are between eight hundred and a thousand Klansmen in Wilford Springs."
"You have brains, Springer, almost brains; that would have been poor bezness, very poor bezness," exclaimed Goldberg.
"There are a lot of people who want to be on the winning side, and if they thought that the Klan had any strength they would line up with them. Keep on telling the people that there are only a few of them here," remarked McBryan.
"Stover," said Springer, "you want to see to it that the mayor doesn't allow the Klan to pull off a parade here. It makes too much of an impression on the public for a thousand of those masked devils to march through the streets," said Springer.
"I'll 'tend to that," replied Stover, "don't you worry for a single minute about the Klan's having a parade or a public speaking within the city limits."
"If those 'night gown boys' with the pillow slips over their heads get to parading here some of us had just as well shut up shop. A lot of our men are scared now. If you want to throw a scare into the average bootlegger all you have to do is mention Kluxers," Hennesy remarked.
"Well, boys, now is the time to get rid of this foolishness, and if we whip these midnight riders right good in this election we will have gone a long way in checking them. On the other hand, if they succeed in electing a majority of their candidates they are going to be wonderfully strengthened, and it is liable to be very unpleasant for certain lines of business." As Stover delivered this speech he rubbed his hands together, as was his custom when anything of importance was being discussed.
"Vat have you to suggest; vat will help mit the eleckshun?" Isaac Goldberg asked.
"I believe it would be a good plan," said Springer, "if we would get Governor Slydell to make a speaking tour in this part of the state. While the Governor is not himself a candidate, he is backing Perdue strong for governor, and Perdue has announced that he will carry out Slydell's policies if elected."
"I am of the opinion that your suggestion is a good one, Springer. Sam Slydell is a good campaigner, and he is strong against the Klan. He will do us some good if we can get him to make half a dozen speeches in this part of the state, but that isn't enough—we must do something more than that if we win," remarked McBryan.
"Can't you get Father Rossini busy lining7 up all Catholic voters whom you cannot reach through the Knights9 of Columbus?" asked Stover.
"Father Rossini is already busy," replied McBryan. "Last week the bishop10 called all the priests in this diocese together for a conference. Here are the candidates they endorsed11." McBryan reached in his pocket and drew out a slip of paper. "Every one of them is anti-Klan and five of them are Catholics. Father Rossini says that all of the priests went home from the conference enthusiastic for these men. You can count on the solid support of all Catholics. What we do not get through the Knights of Columbus the priests will look after."
"Goldberg, what plan have you for lining up the Jews?" Stover asked.
"That's easy, easy, Mr. Stover—we have the B'nai B'rith organization. In twenty-four hours I gets in touch wid every Jew in the state. In forty-eight hours every Jew in the United States can be informed of any matters our great organization vish to put pefore them. I will see that every Jew in this congressional district receives instruction tomorrow. I tinks that you can't work any faster through your Knights of Columbus than that." He directed this last remark to McBryan.
"That's all well enough," said McBryan, "but you must remember that this Ku Klux Klan is a powerful organization. It's an un-American organization purposing to control politics and keep Catholics and Jews out of office. I feel that we would be warranted in using extreme measures to defeat them."
"Have you anything else to suggest?" Stover asked.
"I think we should do something to cause the general public to turn against the Klan. The mayor of Freeburg is a Catholic. What would be the effect if between now and election a number of Kluxers would take him out and whip him?"
"That would make bezness goot for our candidates," said Isaac.
"What do you mean, McBryan?" asked Springer.
"I mean—just suppose some Klansmen would take Mayor Krouse out and whip him, what would the public say?" asked McBryan.
"Can it be arranged? Would Krouse stand for it?"
"Of course he will. He is a Catholic and a fourth degree Knight8 of Columbus. I can arrange it with him all right," assured McBryan.
"It will not be necessary to actually whip him," said Hennesy. "A few stripes made with a little paint across his back and a photograph made by Croskey and the witness of a few of the boys whom we can trust, is all that we need."
"Fine! Hennesy, your head is working," said Springer.
"That's a fine idea. Krouse being a foreigner and a Catholic, the public will never question that the Klan did it. Mac, you make the arrangements with Krouse. When this thing has been pulled off, Springer, you will have a chance to tell the public of the outrage. I will ask Governor Slydell to make a speaking trip through this part of the state. Hennesy, you must look after the dealers13 in 'wet goods.'" As Stover spoke14 his skinny hands were busy with each other and his most assuring smile played about his mouth.
"I'll have no trouble with the liquor fraternity. They know that if the Klan candidates are elected their 'cake is dough,'" Hennesy remarked.
Hennesy ordered whiskey and all but Stover drank to the success of the campaign, before separating.
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1
caucus
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| n.秘密会议；干部会议；v.（参加）干部开会议 | |
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2
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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alley
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| n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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5
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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6
vat
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| n.(=value added tax)增值税，大桶 | |
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7
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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8
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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9
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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11
endorsed
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| vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品 | |
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12
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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13
dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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14
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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