"Gentlemen!" exclaimed Don Filipo, repressing a smile, "I haven't yet made known the plan which we, _the younger men_, bring here.

We feel _sure_ that this great plan will be preferred by all over any other that our opponents think of or are capable of conceiving." This presumptuous exordium so thoroughly irritated the minds of the conservatives that they swore in their hearts to offer determined opposition.
"We have estimated three thousand five hundred pesos for the expenses," went on Don Filipo.

"Now then, with such a sum we shall be able to celebrate a fiesta that will eclipse in magnificence any that has been seen up to this time in our own or neighboring provinces." "Ahem!" coughed some doubters.

"The town of A---- has five thousand, B---- has four thousand, ahem! Humbug!" "Listen to me, gentlemen, and I'll convince you," continued the unterrified speaker.

"I propose that we erect a theater in the middle of the plaza, to cost one hundred and fifty pesos." "That won't be enough! It'll take one hundred and sixty," objected a confirmed conservative.
"Write it down, Senor Director, two hundred pesos for the theater," said Don Filipo.