NOTE 2
Before they come
THE CRIME OF SANTO ANTONIO
One day the worse was discovered, in summer- time, the Reverend use to dismiss the classes at mid-afternoon; however the parents of two girls, went to complain, that the girls come to late from school. They look tired, and the parents feel the prelate was pushing them too much with his lessons.
The Reverend said, he will begin to easy down on his teachings, and in a few days the girls will be dismissed early.
On the next school day, the prelate dismisses the class, and the girls depart, but the two young boys stood for a while seeming glade to converse with each other, before they depart for their journey home.
The Reverend stood inside reading some papers, when the boys began to walk, he got out and began to follow them.
As soon as the boys turn on the corner out of sight from the school, began to run, and the priest had problems to trail them.
He had seen them turning out off the main trail, and the lesser trail seems to end at the entrance of a cave, known by the name of "Refuge of the old lady."
He became suspicious, and analyzing the ground, could see the imprints of horse-shoes; now the prelate was sure they had been there before when riding the horses.
He starts to wonder if the girls had been there too, the ground was hard, and he couldn`t see foot prints, but only the horse prints.
Now was the time to be sure, the prelate using hands and feet, climbed to the top of a big rock, over the entrance of the cave, and waits to see if somebody comes out.
After a long forty minutes the to girls came out, they look in a worry, walking fast, almost running, and about two minutes later the boys came out.
The Reverend, wait till they disappear in the bushes, sliding on his lower back, he came down from the rock, but not before the seams of his trousers came apart.
He walks to the Church with his right hand holding the seams, like if he was trying to catch an egg.
When he got there, some people were already waiting for the afternoon rosary.
He went in, dress the vests, told his sacristan to go to the barn, saddled the mule, and ride to the girls house, and tell their parents to meet him in the Church at night.
When the parents came to the Church that night, the priest was waiting for them, he has two kerosene lamps on a table, "that kind with a small round tin plats behind, to reflect the light."
He was on the back side, this way he could see their faces, observe their reactions, and his face was on the dark spot, in case it comes to the point he as to smile.
He began by saying; about your complain, that the girls come too late from school, I did some investigation, and came to the conclusion that they spent too much time on their way back home.
"He pauses a little to see their reaction."
Today I did follow them, and they went for a walk through the bushes. One of the parents intervenes to say; and the wolfs, it could be too danger.
No, the Prelate further, somebody follows them just in case. Two boys went to show them the "Refuge of the Old Lady."
What happen? A lady asks, he answers; I don`t know, but I believe nothing too special. You may ask them, but go easy, because they need help.
Who are the boys? The man who was just listening before, asks; I can`t tell you, but I will talk with their parents, and I`m sure they will be punished severely.
For now I recommend, that you send the girls to other school, possible to a convent, because wouldn`t be proper for them, to attend classes with other boys.
The Reverend had intention of riding the mule to Justiça do Pau, and inform the Francos of what their sons had done, but on the end, he didn`t have too much free time, and he didn`t like to address that subject.
However the girls` parents, discovered who did that to their girls, and just wait for the right time for their revenge.
The Reverend, find out of their plans, and told the boys, that someday, somebody will wait for them in the trail.
The boys, became scare saying they gonna drop the lessons; the prelate made a plan, and told them how to execute it.
He gave them an old pistol, that didn`t fire anymore, and advise to be on alert all the time; in case that somebody comes to confront them, to be brave, use the pistol to scare them.
One day, the two boys went riding on the same horse, through the trail, when the horse became uneasy, they went on guard, like soldier in time of war.
Two men came out off the bush, with big sticks, one from the back and the other from the front, but the boys had taken other pistol from their parents house, and cover themselves, saying, more two less two.
When the men disappear through the bushes, they fired one shot to the skies, making sure they got the message.
For the next few years, the two boys kept attending classes with the old prelate, but they had been all the time more interest in dates with girls, or hunting, letting the books for a second plan.
They even use an old abandoned barn, to meet some girls, but the situation became very tense, some older men from the town got upset with it, and thought to do justice by themselves.
However the two boys, grow skilled in their ways to avoid being caught, and they have the advantage of being members of one family with good traditions.
One of the girls who use to meet them in the barn, and use to work for them as a spy, got inside information that her father and other two men, plan to catch them in the barn.
They will know when the girls supposed to meet them, wait for the boys to go in, and before the girls come, they will come from two sides. Will tell the boys to come out, if they have guns, will meet guns in the outside, if they don't come out, the men will burn the barn with them inside.
When the girl told them about the plan, the boys just decided for a plan of their owner imagination.
They told the girl just to act on her normal way, as if she didn`t know nothing about the plan, and let the men believe the meeting would take place.
This way, when they come to the place, they don`t find anybody there, and the girls will be innocent of any wrong doing, will not be any proof they had met there.
The boys have their secret plan; they will get a bee-hive, put it in a special bag, and hung it upside- down, just inside over the barn`s door.
When the door would be open from the outside, a trap-like mechanism will open the bag, the hive fall and split on the floor, releasing the bees.
Then just see the reaction of the brave men.
The only problem would be, if they decided to set the barn on fire, and not to open the door.
The young Francos, have been right on their plan. They come out from the school, and walk as if they went to the barn, (Exactly as they use to do). However they went through the barn's door, set the trap ready, and came out through the window, closing it from the outside.
Hiding in the woods, they choose a place from where they could see everything that would happen around the barn.
Sure, they don`t have to wait that much, those three men spread in the woods, coming at the same time to the barn, two of them to the front door, one from each side.
The third one, come to the window, his back against the wall, one of them said: pronto that means ready, and the two on the front start to call the boys out; come out cowards, this time you don`t escape.
As nobody comes out, the men began to fell uneasy, with their shotguns ready to fire, they call a few more times.
One from the front shouts; if they try to escape kill them.
All of them with their back cleaning the wall. John told his brother; we did fail in one thing, we should have put something in the wall, if they don`t go in, at least they should smell each other.
The two men in the front look to each other, one of them walks one step to the front, aiming the shotgun to the door, while the other kick the door in.
It works, the bees came out ready for battle, the men start to run, shouting; get a hell outer here. The one at the window, don`t know what was happening and getting frightened, he began running, and despite of the wall being clean, he began to smell.
The boys laugh, and on their way home, from time to time they laugh again.
When the men got together, they thought it had been a mistake, if the girls and the boys had met there, as much as the people say, wouldn`t be a bees-hive there, unless they meet in other place.
On the next they, two of the men have their faces mark by the sting of the bees, but the third one went walking to see if the hive could be save, sometimes they could do that, setting them in other place.
When he got there, he couldn`t see much movement from the bees, and with precaution, investigate the hive, it had fallen from the top, he looks more around, and saw the bag, next the trap.
We had been taken for the ride, he thought, we have to do some. He went tell the others what happen, they don`t believe, but all the three went to be sure; no doubt, the boys did it again, they deserve to be killed.
Now it is a point of honor, they came from other town to play and laugh with the lives of the older people; they will wait for them, and this time, no matter the place, they will be cut down. If the gentlemen in Justiça do Pau don`t like it, let them come too.
On the next day the boys didn`t come to their lessons, it was on a Saturday.
On Sunday, when the two men went to mass, with their faces mark by the bees, everybody looks and chats about the happening. Nobody laughs on them openly, but they could sense what was happening.
They decided that on Monday, justice will be done, and prepare their guns.
On Monday early in the morning, the three men met as usually to have their mata bicho, (A drink of home made whisky, before eating any food). However, they double and triple the amount; they want to feel good with no remorse, for the act they were about to commit.
When the priest saw them coming, he could see that some wrong was about to be done; told the boys to go out by a back door, to the Church, and hide inside.
The men came to the school, with their shot-guns load, and ask for those rascals. The prelate answered; they are not here. Where are they? One asks.
I don`t know, they don`t attend school today, they are not here, pointing inside the room; we know they aren`t here, we have eyes; imbecile!
They could be in the Church, said one, walking out in direction to the Church.
The priest went out, saying you don`t go in the Church with guns, and move in front of them to the top of the three steps that lead to the Church.
Get out off there, old bastard!
No, I don`t, you have to kill me before you go in the Church with those guns!
Get out bastard!
One of them shouts.
--More priest, less priest --
Aiming the shot-gun to the prelate.
A big blast was heard.
The priest grab his stomach with the two hands, and bending to the front, exclaim: --Qwe Deus lhes perdoe, eles näo sabem o que fazem!-- He falls with his forehead to the bottom step.
The blood begun flowing, staining the steps, and the men trying to revive the body of the old prelate; the soul had depart already.
Many people, began to come to the front of the Church, and while all that confusion took place, the boys escape through a window in direction to Justiça do Pau.
On the next day, the State Police came to Saint António to arrest the assassin, but he already left to the woods, for a life outside the law.
The boys told their parents, that they want to go study in Lisbon.
Mister Franco wrote a letter to introduce them to an old friend, Monsignor Raposo, who happen to be the principal prelate in the Convent of S. Vicent, in the famous City of Ulysses.
NOTE 3
Before they come
THE CRIME OF THE GUITAR'S STRING
John and Patrick travel to Lisbon, changing small carts at least three times, and slept one night in the City of Santarém.
They got to Lisbon at evening, spent the night on some kind o bench in the horse barn, and in the morning they began asking directions to S. Vicent.
Gotten there in the afternoon; at the door was a man dressed in a gray uniform, they ask for Monsignor Raposo, and the man leads them to a large office, and asking permission to speak, introduce the brothers to Monsignor Raposo.
Monsignor Raposo, was seated behind a big desk, made of black Brazilian wood. He uses a thick glass on his right eye, and a big black mustache on a face that looks like a pumpkin decorated by children on halloween.
They gave him the letter, and after he reads it got up, and asks how is my friend Franco, back in Justiça do Pau?
He is good the boys answered, in one voice, like if they were singing in the Church. That is good to know.
Life here in the city is hard, is full of problems, and now with all those changes in politics, we never know on what side we should be.
Let me just finish this here, and I will go with you gentlemen, to introduce you to Senhora Joana, the owner of the boarding house where you will be.
Monsignor Raposo walks with them down hill, for about five hundred feet, to an area named Mouraria; in a narrow street, he opens a narrow green door, and they went up a couple flight of stairs.
Knocks on a door, and said; Raposo. A lady in her late forties came to the door, he introduces the brothers as the children of his good friend, and told her they need room, food and all the things that go with it.
After a few more words, he asks where is Pedro?
He would be here soon, went to the music shop, but will be here in no time.
Pedro was a young man about the age of the Franco brothers, he doesn`t know who his father was, but his mother gave him the name of Pedro Raposo; by coincidence, he looks a lot alike his protector, Monsignor Raposo.
When Pedro comes, the Monsignor introduces the brothers as the Francos, cousins of an important family from Lisbon, very close to the Portuguese Monarchy.
He told Pedro, that next day he should go with the brothers, sees him in the Convent, and after he gives them a letter, he would take them to the University. He should ask for the professor Mr. Soares Franco.
As the old prelate order, on the next day the three young men went to S. Vicent; they had to wait about one hour, before Monsignor Raposo gave them the letter.
While they wait, seated on a wooden bench, two sisters pass, and looks like they stare on them, but the young men couldn`t see their faces.
However the sisters pass once more, and Pedro said, looks like they lost some; it is a shame, the young ladies don't belong in a Convent.
Patrick looks to his brother and asks, do you happen to know, if the sisters from the "Hold Lady" came to Lisbon?
John answer, no it would be too far, they could die before they get here.
Pedro wants to know, what sisters, but Patrick said; there was two sisters in the Convent of "Refuge of the old lady," and because of an old priest, they had been moved to a different Convent.
Meanwhile Monsignor gave them the letter, and said; good lack, brains in the right place.
The three young men walk at least forty five minutes before getting to the University.
There, Pedro was like fish in the water, knows everybody, and talks with everybody.
He was a student there for the last two years, and the way it looks, could be there for the next twenty, before he graduates.
His main hobby, was playing guitar in cabarets, dancing, and having a bohemian life.
Finally, they had been received by Professor Franco; he asks many questions, not much about the schools they attend before, but about their name, and what kind of business, their father has.
At one point of the conversation, Pedro asks, if he knows the brother`s father, but he just answers, it is only curiosity, because of the name Franco.
(However many years later, The King Charles gave him some lands in Justiça do Pau, and he spent the last years of his life, near his relatives, there).
John and Patrick had been accepted in the University, and for the first year, they did try hard, but they don`t have the preparation.
They started to fall behind, and their friend Pedro, don`t help, the nights they spent in the cabarets, gambling and sometimes fighting, was enough to ruin their career as students.
On the next year, they began to miss classes, and stop the studding before finishing the first semester.
On those times, the country was going through a period of unrest. The people was divided, some want to stay with the Monarchy, others want a Republic; there was many fights on the streets, the police stops everybody, looking for firearms, or knives.
However Pedro, has discover the way to be armed without being detected. He use a ten Réis coin, (About the size of an American quarter,) sharpen about one-thirty of the edge, and put that in his pocket.
If somebody push him to fight, he would grab the coin, and designing his mark. It would be two cuts on the cheeks of the enemy, letting his face looking like a pumpkin on the front steps of the child`s house, by the end of October.
He taught the brothers how to do it, and they develop their marks too.
For John, it would be a simple cross on the right cheek, and for Patrick, was like a half moon on the left side.
Those scars had been very visible, in some people`s faces, by the end of the eighteen century.
Those three bohemians, were been economically successful, John and Patrick, as bartenders, and Pedro playing the guitar. However, their main income comes from gambling; sometimes they develop their owner games, and play in partnership.
Many times, one of them would play in opposition, as a third party partner, loosing as much as he could do, without being detected, and on the end receiving his share of the winnings.
One day when they got up in the morning, Joana told them that Monsignor Raposo, was very sick, and the three boys went to see him in the Convent.
He was in bed with a bad cold, the sisters came and go, bringing him chicken soup, and candies of honey and sugar.
Pedro, was there for a few minutes, he has some else to do, but the brothers stood for a bit longer, and after they inform the Prelate, that everything was going well in school, they got out of the big, and cold room. The walls and floor were made of marble stone, and the water was condensed in drops, on the side walls.
The two brothers, began walking on the long hallway, when those two sisters, stop in front of them; they uncover their heads and face.
One asks, do you know us?
How blind you can be?
Oh, my God!
You are here!
The brothers reply.
Get us out of here, one of the sisters said.
We will, the two boys answer at the same time; we need you, and we can support you. How we should do, to get you with us, right now?
Not now, it couldn`t be, you have to get us some clothing, and after wait for us in the outside, nobody could find out.
They decided that the boys will look for some clothing, and one apartment, before they got out of the Convent.
The boys went out, and the sisters stood back, but with their eyes glittered with delight and anticipation. They didn`t felt the love for the boys, like they did when they use to go to the "Refuge of the Old Lady." However this was the only chance they have to get out of that life, they didn`t like, and had been forced to accept by their parents.
Those years, they passed in the Convent, had been taken like a humiliating punishment, for their flirtatious act, when they just attained puberty.
Monsignor Raposo had been authoritarian, always speaking to them with a strident voice, terrifying them with the smoking fires of hell, and the pungent smell of human flesh burning.
Looks as he had pride, in intimidating, and dehumanizing. As if they have no brains, or capacity to understand at least some Biblical Readings.
The sisters know, that they will be condemned once more, the act they are about to commit, will be considered outrageous; but in their mind, the act of their parents sending them to a Convent, was somewhat worse.
The idea of getting out of that Convent, was embedded in their mind, since the first day when they got in.
For now they have to wait for the two brothers to help them to consummate, their escape.
The boys went on an intense search, for an apartment, sometimes they got frustrated, but they didn`t gave up, and finally they find one.
It was on the hill side, looking to the Tagus River; from there they could see the boats going up and down, sailing the calm waters, but in foggy days, the steamers blast off their horns, and the noise was constant.
Now they went looking for clothing, this was another pain in the neck, they don`t know what looking for, the size was other matter.
When going inside one store, they saw two sale ladies, that look about the same size as the sisters, and they figure this was the right place. John said two one of the ladies, I want to by a dress for you.
You go by a dress for the puta of your wife, the lady reply, getting ready to use a yard stick.
Sorry, sorry, John shouts backing up, I don`t mean what you think; what I mean is a dress of about your size.
The lady comes down, and they explain that they want to offer some dresses, and the ladies appear to be about the same size they are looking for.
Everybody has to laugh, and the boys finally got what they went looking for.
Now, is time to visit Monsignor again, and take a suitcase to the sisters, getting them out of their messy life in the Convent.
If the old prelate, Raposo, finds out about that plan, they could be sure, he will send them to the deepest well of the hell, together with the sisters and their perverse minds.
When they did get to the Convent, Monsignor Raposo was feeling better from his cold. He was from an old generation of people that did endure the privations, and suffered the inclemency of the weather of the late seventeen century.
Monsignor, was happy to see them, he said that they had been the only ones who care for his health, but Patrick had a hard time to hide the suitcase from him, behind a door.
While they spent sometime conversing with the priest, one of the sisters, came down to the first floor to get that piece of luggage, and taking advantage of the boys being with the prelate, they escape to the outside.
They just walk to a street corner, and wait for the Franco brothers to come out. Meanwhile Monsignor Raposo, told the brothers that he would like to go back to Justiça do Pau, to see old friends he gets there, and in other Town close by, S. António.
He said that in this Convent, were two sisters that came from there, some years before.
The brother reply, that would like to meet them, but he said, they should be busy with their prayers, and in fact he thinks it wouldn't be appropriate to ask them to come. It could be at other time, when it looks more casually.
They got a problem, don`t know if the sisters got their suitcase, or somebody else did, and they will have to leave without any communication with them. However they have to get out, and the old priest came with them to the patio door, it was with the sense of relieve that they saw the old man turning back inside.
When they got outside, they stop to figure how they could inform the sisters where to meet them, and they have to be careful, just in case they didn`t got the suitcase.
However at this moment, they saw somebody in the next corner waving to them, they had noticed before, somebody there, but they were used to see the sisters in their habits, and don`t recognized them at first.
They walk fast, at least until they get through a few corners, passed in front of a Cathedral, and on the next street was their apartment.
For the next two weeks, the two ladies spent most of the time without coming out, it was love and love-making, the two brothers just went to by food and a few things needed in the apartment.
On the third week, the boys went to the Convent to see Monsignor, they would like to be clean of any wrong doing, and they have some curiosity about the way things happen, after the missing sisters.
When they met the priest, they got the news that the two sisters they did talk about, had disappear; however Monsignor has the idea that they had been seduced by an employ he had fired a week before. He doesn`t care if they don`t come back; this way was two persons less to feed, and lately the Royal Family had been less liberal with their help.
Those two couples had been happy for about seven months, after that, the ladies start to complain, the boys come to late, and sometimes they spent the night out. A few times the sisters went out and got other acquaintances; this wasn`t what the boys had in mind for them, and the problems become to uneasy the relations between them.
One day when the two gaming partners, Patrick and Raposo, thought they had a nice night, they had problems with a couple of bad-losers.
A fight broke out, and this time they met a strong opposition. When Mr. Raposo was about to dispatch the one that had the misfortune of picking on him, he saw the other guy on top of Patrick, with his thumbs on his throat.
Patrick has his face dark violet, looking like someone ready to depart for eternity.
Raposo has to work fast, he pulls out a spare guitar string, he uses o his coat`s collar, hidden inside with just one end spying out.
He grabs it by the ends, swung it over the guy`s head, and while holding back with his left hand, pulls it from the right, in-a-like-sawing motion.
The string slice through the guy`s throat, cutting it deep to the spine bone.
The blood squirts all over the room, and Patrick still on the floor with all the clothing sopping in red.
Raposo pull the guy to the side, loosing time to reanimate his partner; while the other guy had gone calling out for help.
The police came arresting them, they went to the Police Station where they spent the rest of the night. Patrick strips out of that red cloth, but couldn`t wash the blood out, the holding room doesn`t have any facilities, and in the morning he has to dress like a Cardinal.
After they had been questioned for long time, finally the police let Patrick go home, walking the streets all the way to his apartment; Raposo was held for trial.
The trial was short, but taking in consideration the efforts of the old Monsignor, Mr. Raposo was sentenced to stay only the next ten years in jail.
The two brothers, John and Patrick, went to visit the prisoner at least two times a week, making sure he has food and all the essentials.
However the two sisters, got upset because the police went there a couple of times to investigate the whereabouts of the brothers. After a few altercations, decided that they had enough, and one day when the brothers get home, they don't find the ladies.
They didn`t mind that much, and for the ladies it wouldn`t be a problem, in a city like Lisbon, was always room for more prostitutes of high class.
A few months went by, and the brothers started to become uneasy, they felt the police were spying on them, the Monsignor had find out, they didn`t attend school anymore.
However he never found out, what happen with the girls, one of his servants went a few times to the boys apartment, but it was after the ladies had disappear.
One day John was in his apartment looking through the window, the small boats crisscrossing the Tagus River in many directions. The steamships come and go carrying freight to, and from, the vast Colonial Imperio, the Portuguese use to maintain in Africa, Asia and South America.
Some rigged vessels ornamenting the river with their white sails pasted on the blue of the water and sky.
John meditated, like dreaming about what would be on the other side of the vast Ocean.
Could it be peace; could the jungle of South America be more peaceful, then the jungle of a big city like Lisbon?
The question may look out of timing, but the answer could be amazing.
Patrick comes from his shift in the bar, when he entered in the apartment, John not even noticed his presence.
What`s Patrick asked?
You look like dreaming.
I wasn`t dreaming, I was thinking, and you know about what?
I know, I thought about that too, but Raposo is in jail, and I owe him my life, we can`t leave for now. He needs our help, his mother is failing on her business, and Monsignor is old, not helping, but becoming a passive account.
Well, Pat., if we could find someone we trust, we could send money, to take care of things.
For now his mother could be okay, and if some happen, he could write to us.
Yes, he will write to us, but to where?
Did you think about the destination?
Not yet, but what you say about North America?
North America, will be.
Now we have to talk with him, to assure him that everything would be okay, we will inform Monsignor too.
Now when?
We go to find out, when we have a steamship, departing to America.
The two brothers went down to the River Bank, and began to inquiry if any boat was about to leave to the United States.
They got the information from a stevedore, in two weeks, a German Freighter will leave from the next dock. They could get more information from a broker who has an office near by.
The merchant told them, that they need fifty, Milréis, each one, to be in Providence, just after twenty days sailing.
The brothers agree, and like everything else they planed, the execution will not be postponed.
They talk with Monsignor, who said he feels it would be a good idea, if in fact they plan to take care of the prisoner.
Further, he said; you guys go to meet, beautiful, young blond girls, with soft skin, and not used to be deceived by bohemians from the city.
Monsignor, you don`t suppose to say that!
Oh, I don`t, I`m not a player anymore, but I like to watch the game; that`s human nature.
Now boys, go and I will pray for your good fortune, never forget the old priest, that will pardon all your misgivings, even the stealing of sisters from a Convent.
Monsignor Raposo, you surprise us again!
Yes, I do, but I had been in this world long enough to know the human kind, and I just confirm what had been a suspicion for sometime.
Now go, before I change my mind, and pull back the pardon.
The boys said good by to the prelate, and coming out they comment about the way Monsignor, got the confirmation from themselves.
NOTE 4
Before they come
THE ESCAPE
When they went to see Mr. Raposo in the jail, and inform him of the plans, he was a bit surprise.
They told him the date for departure, the arrangement to take care of his needs, and may be he could see the ship, from his window, that opens to the Port.
Given him a sizable amount of money, he kisses the money and said; I do appreciate this, but I would like one more favor, please before you go, buy me a coat.
As you know I love music, please get me a dozen guitar`s strings, and I will make an instrument in the window`s bars.
The brothers went and bought a long coat, in the bottom seams, they sneak the strings.
When Patrick took the coat to his friend in jail, Raposo told him, my friend one more thing I ask you guys; every time you have food and water, please remember me, I could be hungry, and need your help.
Patrick couldn`t understand well what he ment. However, he looks sane, and as the time was short, Patrick just replies; my friend, we will take care of you, doesn`t worry.
Those few days went fast, the day to embark comes up, and the brothers went to the steamship, right in the morning.
At about six in the afternoon, three loud blasts came out from those big pipes over the bridge, and the ship began to move slowly, away from the big dock wall.
Made a long turn in the River, and began to slash the calm waters of the Tagus, in direction to the Ocean.
After about half an hour, the passengers had been call to the top deck, they were forty three. The captain gave them some instructions, about the voyage, and how they would get food and water.
Told them that in the ship, they have to obey him, as all the crew does, (A crew of thirty).
After that brief lecture, he told them to be in line to receive their personal, and indispensable things, to live aboard for the next twenty days.
Each one receives one blanket, a metal mug, a metal square pan, with a handle that folds on the side, a knife, a spoon and a fork.
The mug would be used for, water, coffee and the wine, that was given with the mid-day meal.
The pan would be used, to get the food, and as a sink to wash.
However the ship, like all the other ships of the time, doesn`t have sanitary facilities, everybody has to use hole on the starboard, main deck.
No bath tissues, not even small rocks, or leaves, so many times used on the farms of the time, and by some soldiers in the Vietnam War.
For John and Patrick, it would be very difficult to get used to the idea of using that pan to wash themselves, and next to go in line getting the food in it.
They decided for a plan that would work. One mug would be enough to get the wine, water and coffee, the other mug would be used to wash themselves.
The last meal of the day, was taken about eight o`clock, and after that the evening would be long and dark, not many lanterns in the ship.
Was on the second evening, when the brothers stood on the bow, planing their way of life in America, that somebody approaches them in the dark, and said, Patrick you promise that you guys would help me with the food.
Raposo! How you get here?
Well, I did slide those strings on window`s bars, cut it, and sneak in the ship before you did. Now I need your help, I did find some barrels of olive oil in the cargo, if you can spare some bread and water, I will be in business.
Yes, we will, but we have a problem, don`t have a spare pan to wash ourselves. I do, Raposo reply, just got a bucket and a shovel, while one of the sailors went to their quarters, I did steal the shovel. When he came back he figure the other guys had through it in the furnace, and was ready to kill somebody.
The bucket, was between some piles of wine barrels, think they use it to steal wine, I did move it to other place and get salt water to wash myself, and the shovel when I use it.
My problem is, fresh water and some food, if I could move while we have sun light, may be could find some to heat in the cargo.
Well, we have to arrange some, use the shovel and bucket at night, and one mug to bring water for you. It wouldn`t be easy to sneak out of sight of those other guys, but nobody starves in twenty days.
Raposo, guide them to the place where he has those tools, and that plan starts to work fairly well.
Some of the other passengers began to share some pans with each other, and four days later it was one motive for laughing.
Besides some people already bribe some members of the crew, and everything was going smooth.
NOTE 5
Before they come
DIARRHEA IN THE STEAMSHIP
After ten days in the sea, the captain decided that they should have a party, everything had been smooth, and it was his birthday.
They had been served salted and smoked meat, wine, dried and salted fish, coffee and sweet bread. At evening almost everybody was drunk, they sing, dance and made speeches.
The Franco brothers, don`t forget Mr. Raposo, and move enough food to the cargo section to feed him for the rest of the voyage.
However, the worse was to come, that night everybody got sick, Diarrhea was common to everyone, upset stomachs and headaches, combined with high-seas, got everybody scrambling to use the hole.
That arrangement, most of the passengers had, to share the pans, went overboard, and some fights broke out uncontrollable.
On the next day, one person was missing, the Captain began an investigation to find out what happen to the missing passenger, his name was John Dave.
The Franco brothers don`t shy from helping with the investigation, and as soon as they find out anything about the missing person, they gave all the information to Mr. Raposo, and their planing was already in motion.
Three days later, Mr. Raposo, with his clothing all dirty, looking like somebody who comes from a grave, appears near the men working in the boiler room asking for help.
Mr. John Dave was alive, and ready to collect all his personal belongings, he didn`t remember well how everything happens, but he knows he was about to die, and got lost in the ship.
Now everybody was happy again, the sailing continue smooth, but the Captain wouldn`t make a farewell party on the end of the voyage.
They arrived in Providence, almost a full day before the time. The three old partners planed to be together, looking for work possible in the railroads, but they had other problem, that they never expected.
When they had begun to disembark, they saw somebody with a large sign, that reads, John Dave.
Raposo was almost in the state of panic, he walks fast over those planks, and as soon as he gets his feet on land, moves quickly behind a horse-cart, pulled by three big mules.
An old-short-bulky-man, comes around like spying on him, stops, smiling and speaking fluent Portuguese, asks; why are you hiding?
Didn`t pay the passage, or had been worse?
Don`t worry, I have a job, and a hiding place for you.
What is your name?
Well, the name is Raposo.
Okay Mr. Fox, from now on you will be Fox, (He just translates the name as any common word). Stay around, I have to pick up some supplies, that come in the ship, and after you go with me to my farm.
Mr. Fox was surprise, however this man spoke to him as if a palm reader, looks like they could understand each other, and if not, Mr. Fox always could be, Mr. Raposo, or Mr. John Dave.
Meanwhile the Francos, went to find out, who was waiting for John Dave. Was a lady on her late thirties, she asks if they had seen a gentleman, John, he supposes to come in the ship, was her fiancé.
Patrick asks, had you seen him before?
Yes, long ago, but I have a very recent picture of him, she shows them a small frame in the form of a heart with a painting.
They didn`t saw the man, he didn`t come, but they advise her to check with the Captain.
They move rapidly out of that area, to avoid any more problems, getting in a barroom to have a drink, and may be somebody could help them, with any information about jobs and boarding.
Patrick said, you know, I may be losing a good opportunity, the lady looks good, will not find John Dave, I wonder if she has money.
We have to leave that for later, now we go together, and for the time be, we act like decent men.
They had been talking just for a few minutes, when the bartender told them, if you don`t have work yet, is a man here looking for people to work in a railroad.
Good they reply.
Where is he?
Will come down in a few minutes, he has to catch the train in about half an hour.
The man came down from the second floor, the bartender wave to the Francos, and they went to meet him. Ask if he needs more helpers, yes, he answered, how many languages do you speak?
Three, but we understand a couple more.
Nice the man said, that's what I need, come with me.
Is another man, Patrick reply.
Well, he may come too, if he comes in time.
The man didn`t come, they left a note with the bartender, in case he appears later, and asks for them. (What he did.)
The note reads, "we had been hired to work in a rail road, some place in the west, couldn`t wait any longer, the train is leaving, and we have to go with the boss. If we couldn`t find each other, we will come back to meet in this place, ten years from now, that will be time to go back to the old country." Then they depart in a different direction.
The new Mr. Fox, was hiding around the corner, it was late in the afternoon when the old man got all the supplies loaded, a few barrels of wine and olive oil, salted cod-fish and some seeds.
When he got ready, whistles and wave to get the attention of Fox, told him to get up. They set side by side on the cart.
The old man began the conversation, by saying, I`m Barnabás Spooner, my real name was Barnabás das Colheres. When I did come to this country, somebody asks what the word Colheres means, and I said, colher is a spoon, so the guy told me, you are a Spooner.
I didn`t mind to change my name, as I believe you don`t mind to change yours. Now I have a farm in South Eastern Massachusetts.
I have work for you, and you can make a few Patacas to take to the old country; what I know you will never do, because in ten years you have a different idea.
How you know what is my idea now, Fox reply?
You know, everybody that comes here, think about making some money to go back, and have a decent life there, however in ten years, they got involved, sometimes children, and change their minds.
Now, we gonna stop on the next town, and stay for the night, the road isn`t that good, and we can`t travel during the night.
It was already night, when they went across a wooden-covered bridge, next to that they stop.
The old man told him to help unfold a crib, to feed the mules, and covered them with big cloth sheets. From a bag he took some bread, shouriço, (Meat sausage), and wine from a small barrel with a little hole on the side.
Mr. Fox wasn`t use to drink directly from a barrel, and almost choke.
Spooner laugh loudly, and said, you don`t know how to drink from a barrel, but it is worse for a sailor to take his shift in the barrel.
Fox don`t know what he means, but figure it would be prudent not to ask.
After they sneak between those barrels, in a place already arranged at the time of the loading, and using some blankets, they spent the night.
Early in the morning, they resume the journey, it was late in the afternoon, when they arrived at the farm.
Let the cart under a shed, the mules went by themselves to a barn, after they fed them, went inside for an evening meal.
It was kale soup, it was the best soup Fox had since before he went to jail.
NOTE 6
CATCHING A CHINESE RABBET
Fox never had been in a farm before, the son of the farmer, laugh on him, because he was so green-hand on those affairs. He shies from going feed the cows, and wasn`t used to the smell of the pigs.
However his fluency in speaking, and the way he told stories about the city, made him well considered by other people.
A few weeks later, he already was a favorite, for a girl, daughter of the owner of the next farm.
Barnabás Junior, didn`t like the idea, he always thought that one day she would be married with him, and he has plans to combine the two farms together.
He tried to make an impression on her, by working very hard, and showing that he could run a farm well.
Fox had a different approach, he told her things she likes to hear, how beautiful she is, that she could turn the head of any man. Told her some jokes that implicit sex, said that if one day he has the fortune of being her preference, would take her to see big cities, and make her a star like nobody had seen yet.
In fact he turns her head, and she frequently crosses the propriety line to meet him in the woods.
He sometimes felt a special effect for her, but the life in the farm, didn`t seduce him so much; however it could be of some economic advantage.
Everything seems to run normally, but one day he was working with the boss and his son, erecting a fence around the pig headquarters; when he saw a strange animal straying along-side of an rugged stone wall.
Fox asks, what kind of animal is that?
Pointing in the animal direction.
The older man replies, it is my Chinese rabbit, that gets away from his cage a few weeks back. We have to catch it, I go and wait in the front down there, Junior goes from the left, and you go from here to catch it from the back.
Be careful, catch it by the neck, it may bite, but please don`t hurt him.
Fox went right to the animal, it was so easy, grab it by the neck, and lift it in the air.
The animal was a skunk, and spray his face and his uper body, he looks and saw the other guys laughing like crazy.
He walks in direction of the older man, in an aggressive way, and said, you old bastard, are lucky to be old, because if you had been younger, you would eat the rabbit.
The Junior Barnabás, didn`t like it, coming to him said, I`m younger, and I teach you a lesson green-horn, swinging his close hand in direction of Fox face.
Fox duck, and extending his leg trip him, and let him go with his face plowing the pigs waste.
Junior got up in no time, coming again, this time with his head bending down, aiming to Fox stomach. Fox just got out the way with the skill of a bull fighter, letting him plow again.
The younger Barnabás, don`t desist, came again swinging like crazy; this time Fox using a sharp coin slit his face with an halloween design.
When the old man saw his son bleeding, he decided to make justice by himself, running inside the house to pick up his shot-gun. While he looks for the powder and lead, Fox run to the barn, got his bag and escape to the woods.
Instinctively, he walks in the west direction, as if wanting to go to Providence, however the night was coming, and after walking about a mile, he decided to stop, and look for a place to pass the night.
The night was cool, but in the woods wasn`t too bad.
At sunrise he began to walk again, just a few yards ahead, comes to a lane, going North-South.
Now he as to decide what side, looking in the sun`s direction he saw smoke in the air, going up in spirals, like coming up from some chimneys.
The direction was chosen, about a mile ahead, from the top of a stonewall, he could see a big harbor, it reminds him of Lisbon.
After walking a bit more, he comes to a sawmill on the river bank, stops, wash and shave, change clothing, but the skunk-smell didn`t go away. Next he saw many constructions going on.
Piles of bricks were common all over, men in line move big timbers, in a number that he never could expect.
It was New Bedford, on the beginning of its expansion in the mill construction.
He went right to the River-side, having no problem to find a job with a boat supplier.
After a few months on that job, he was already used to the way things went, on his spare-time began drawing some pictures of the city and it`s motives.
On Sundays, he went to the River-Side, drawing and selling some designs and pictures.
It was on one of those days, he comes to know a young lady, Beatrice George.
The lady stops looking to the pictures, her beautiful green eyes immobilize, staring on a picture of a little boy with a dirty face, and a tear dropping on his left cheek.
She asks, how much for this one?
For you madam, will be a special price, it isn't a copy; it is a remembrance, was a picture I had seen in Lisbon, that dug deep in my heart and mind.
I can see, it is impelling your sentiment of love for children, and may be motherhood, it is beautiful to see that somebody still has a sensible heart.
"I`m sure you will keep this picture with as much fondness, as I had painting it. This is enough to pay for my work; please accept it as a gift, proof of my admiration for your sentiments and beauty."
I can`t accept it, the lady reply, this is your work, and I too, work for living. I love to have this picture, but want to remunerate your work, can't afford to compensate for your talent, but that part I accept as a gift.
Please lady, don`t take this as if I have a second intention. To me was difficult to sell it to somebody that buy it for monetary reason, or worse to discharge it, as just another unprofitable deal.
Sir, if you really mean that, I do accept it, and I promise that it will be hang in my working room, for as long as I have a working room.
Do you have a working place around here?
Yes, I have, happen to be on a front store room, down there on Water Street. I`m a dress maker; do work for some ladies, that their main hobby seems to be spending the moneys their husbands make sailing the whaling ships.
I don`t get rich, but is enough to go by.
If you happen to pass by, at any time, no mind to stop, and see the frame hanging on the wall in front of the window.
I would love to, Fox reply; my name is Pedro Raposo, some people call me Fox, because this is the nickname I use on my drawings.
Well, mine is Beatrice, it is a pleasure to meet you, I have to go.
Beatrice walks to her apartment, on a third floor of a small building on Second Street. Her mind was on this man she saw for the first time, and made a so big impression on her.
He was so polite, the way he speaks demonstrated that behind that refined language, was a sound education, and the love for that picture, show his sentiments of a man with the aspiration of a happy family.
Now her mind was working.
Did she walk away too soon?
Did he understand where was the place of working?
Those are questions that scare-away a good night sleep.
If he doesn`t appear during the week, she will pass by the same place on the weekend, sure he will be there if the weather is good.
However Mr. Raposo was thinking about that young lady, that was so move with the picture of a silent cry, of a poor child.
He would look for that store front, if he can get out of work in time to walk down there, but wouldn`t be on the next day; it would be rushing things too much.
Better do it on the day after, however those two days will be seeming endless.
He wonders why this encounter they had, was so brief; was no time, not even to know if she was single, if she lives alone, or her address.
The two days went by, and on the next Wednesday, Mr. Raposo, went for a walk to find out where was the room housing that picture, that had been the reason behind all this rushing of events.
It was late in the afternoon, but Beatrice, was working late. She did the same the day before, just in case that the man comes after work, it would be sad if he comes and she was gone.
Raposo mind was so tuned to the thinking, about what to say when he meets Beatrice, and the dreams of what could be next, that he passed by the store without seeing it.
However Beatrice saw him, but don`t know what to do, she feels like going out and call him, but it wouldn`t be proper, he could think she is just another idiot.
If he goes all the way down the street, it would be a long walk, the street is long running North-South.
She stays at the door to see if he stops.
Rapso walks two quarters, stops, looks North and South, and turns back, North again.
Beatrice back one step inside, and was decided to come out if he happens to miss the place again, but this time the gentleman was looking to all the front doors.
Was making sure he finds the place, but wasn`t sure she would be there, at this late in the afternoon.
When he saw the small sign that reads; Beatrice`s Fashions Place, he breathes deeply, and she could see his smile.
Beatrice couldn`t wait a minute more, and instinctively come out the door.
Good afternoon Mr. Raposo, I did saw you going by, thought you going some place else, but having a second look see you coming back.
Decided to wait and don`t let you go by, without see that I kept the promise of hanging the picture on my place of work.
The frame was hanging on the back wall, but in front of a window, and could be seen by anybody who happen to walk on the street.
I wouldn`t pass by without stopping to be sure this was the place, in fact this was the only reason I come to this street.
Weren`t sure you would be here at this time, but did have to come, and may be the reason I didn`t see it on my way down, was because my mind was right here.
No tell me, you regret you did offer me the picture, and want to take it back!
Beatrice tease with a smile.
I never will regret, because I`m sure you love it, and that is enough.
The lady could see his sincerity on those words, and felt the urge to be sincere and forward. She said in reply, I do know you wouldn't regret, and were sure you would come, that`s why I didn`t close sooner.
Yes, I would come.
I felt that want to know you better; for some reason, don`t wait any longer, and came to see the place, hopping to find you, and may be if you don't mind talking a little.
I don`t mind talking, I`m a woman, and nature as its way, what you want to talk about?
Well, may be about me, I`m not a saint, single and alone in this country; he pauses, like waiting for her reaction.
Beatrice wasn`t an innocent girl anymore, and would like to know more about him.
I`m single too, not even live in a Convent, why you didn`t come in and sit for a while?
Raposo went in, and began, when I saw you looking to that picture, were like if I was stricken by lightning.
Before I go too far, let me talk about me.
After that, if you feel I should go, I promise never coming back.
Beatrice felt it could be long, and suggest they could go to her apartment, have a coffee and talk.
They walk a few hundred yards to Beatrice's apartment, on the next street.
Before getting in Beatrice apartment, they stop on the first floor, and she told the neighbor, I`m home, a gentleman come with me, we gonna have coffee and talk.
He could see, this was like family, or may be she is afraid to be alone with him, because didn`t know him for long.
She said I will make the coffee, but I`m listening.
Raposo didn`t lose any time, started by telling, he doesn`t know who his father was, why he has been in jail, and the way he comes to the United States.
When he finishes his presentation, asks; can we continue the conversation?
Beatrice, was listening very attentively, she never did interrupt him, because she was undecided about what to do. However she had time to think, and after a so straight confession, the answer could be only one, yes we may talk.
With a slight frown on her face, she said; there are things in life that everybody wants to forget, but in real life they continue to pop up and never go away, we feel better when somebody listens to us, don`t we?
Yes, now I fell a lot better because you listen to me, and I appreciate that, I want to start my life from scratch with a clean paper.
He had to listen her story too.
After that they agree to see each other on the next day, and on the weekend he met her family.
The wedding couldn`t take place that fast, they had problems to get the necessary papers. However with the advice of her uncle, an old priest with many years of experience, they decided to start looking for his papers in the remains of files, from a church, burned to the ground not long before.
Nobody could find the documentation, and with the help of some witnesses, he got new papers from the court, that stated, that he was born in Boston, and being single; His name was Pedro Fox.
They got married four months after they met for the first time.
Beatrice began to sell his drawings in her fashion place, the people like them, and soon after Mr. Fox was working on portraits, for important people.
They had two children, John and Barnabas Fox, who started a Picture Studio, on South Second Street, "FOX STUDIOS."
Later they move to the West coast to open some kind of studio there, and a new generation continues the some kind of business, the name "FOX" became well known.
NOTE 7
Going West
John an Patrick began their voyage to the West, the man who hired them, "John Smith, Duke of Bedford" order all the twenty nine new workers to get in a railroad car.
Told them, he likes discipline, and John Franco would be in charge during the journey, they will get food from the wagon just in front.
If for any reason they need to contact him, John would go to the first wagon in front; this is a special railway car where Mr. Smith will travel.
It was about fifty feet long, with paneled rooms, office, dinning compartment, a bar, kitchen, staterooms beds, and gas lamps.
In the morning they arrive in New York, there two more wagons, full of workers, ad been attached to the train. Mr. Smith sent somebody to call Patrick to his car.
While John spent most of the time staring out the window, marveling at the endless expanse of land speeding past, Patrick had taken the task of adding some ledger sheets.
He did it unbelievably fast, and Mr. Smith was impressed, saying, good, but how can I know you did it right?
Patrick began to explain to him, that it could be done in one way that checks by itself.
Would be done in categorized columns, that add horizontal and vertically, with the totals converging to the same place, condensing in one sheet all the information contained in many.
Mr. Smith asks him to take information from some registers, and do a demonstration.
When Patrick finishes, he did like so much the results, that order him to devise a system of accounting to be used in the company.
Patrick using is acknowledge he acquired in the University, and the business in Lisbon, drawn an impressive plan of action. It would begin in the executive office, going through all the business branches, and the results coming to the same executive office.
Some paper sheets would be available for presentations, and for the board of Directors.
Meanwhile brother John was called to the front car to help. He began by organizing a numeric file of all the workers coming in the train.
In the personal files would be registered the name, color, height, weight, health looking, and three square boxes marked; lazy, active, and good.
In the bottom part, would be a few blank lines for observations and suggestions.
The journey was long, and took a few days before they got to their destination, for the Franco brothers, who had been raise in a mountainous area, it seems like an ocean of land, when they got closer and closer to the west.
Finally they arrive close to the Green River.
There a small army of workers, working in a bridge, the ones coming on the train, had been loaded in rafts, crossing to the west side, to work in other stretch of the railroad.
Patrick became Mr. Smith secretary, body guard, and while working from the executive office, he directed all the modifications on the accounting system processed in the field office.
He makes a special monthly report, to send to the headquarters in London, England.
Most of the mail from the East Coast, to the West Coast, was sent by train, all the way to the end of the line in the shores of the Green River. From there it went on horse back, and after crossing the San Rafael, it was loaded in horse drawn wagons, in direction to the South-West, in a frenetic race to the Los Angeles area.
They want to take the business away from other system, that runs further by the South.
John was sent to work on that operation, with the specific order to report all the incidents on the service, and make suggestion for a better one.
He travels across the desert so many times, that already was well known among a couple of Indian tribes in the area.
Getting help from them, and buying horses and horse feed from them.
Two years later the rail line was crossing Nevada, and John was living in Los Angels, as the need for his work was ended, they offer him other job.
However he likes to stay on that area, and feels it was time to drop that kind of work, told his brother Patrick, and drop the job with that company.
NOTE 8
The widow
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