Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-05
WHEN OLD FRIENDS MEET

A big well-dressed, ample-waisted, mid
dle-aged man was strolling down 18th street
the other afternoon, when another man, OF
about the same description, approached him
from the other direction. The first-men-
toned man glanced casually at the other as
they neared each other. Then he looked
again, while an expression of surprise ana
wonderment stole over his face. When
they were just about to pass each other he
gazed searchingly at the other mans lace.
and then he broke out with:
'Well. If that scar under your LEFT eye
amt on the face of 'Tubby' Ricketts,, I'll
eat my hat, that's all!''
The other man came to a sudden halt,
and gazed wonderingly at the face of the
man who had addressed him. Then an ex-
preston Of recognition swept his features.
And he exclaimed, IF that changeo
voice of yours isn't the voice OF Butch
Williams. III be dog-goned"'
'Tubby!"
"'Butch!'
And the two boyhood friends were saving
at each others arms as if they were pump
handles.
"Well, durn my hide said the one who
had been recognized as Butch, when they
their youths over a high one or so: Il
haven't seen you since-lemme see-I think
it somewhere about the latter sixties.
How long you been in Washington, any
more"
oh I'm just on here visiting my daugh.
ter during the holidays replied "Tubby
Yes, sir; l think it was about '61 that
last clapped an eye on you. Butch So
you knew me by this little scar under my
left eye, hey? Pretty good memory you We
got for an old man. But how about my
knowing you, and you've got no scars
either? Id know you four miles on IN a
fog. Say, dye member how l got this
scar?"
Go T
member how you got it, replied Butch
off hand. I'VE We're all swimming in the
crick together, and you dove and struck a
snag-remember it just as well as II 1t were
yesterday-you were in big luck you dldn I
lose the eye
THAT'S right" said Butch" "Well, who
the dickens 'ud have thought I'd ever stack
up against You here? Got any ny,o famly?
How about your" replied Butch
why, I've been an old sinner of a grand
dad for years past said "Tubby, poklng
the other in the ribs, and then they had
another and several more.
"Well, WE'LL said Butch after they
had been exchanging "reminiscences and
having another for half an hour or so. sit s
sure good for sore eyes to have a look at
you again, 'Tubby.' Member that last
scrap we had-time we were out getting
walnuts? l certainly did bruise you up a
whole heap that time, Ell. lubby?'"
eroWns E ms said don rsma h5 fif It
that way at all, Butch My recollection
is that L put it all over you that time.
Don you member that you went home
blubberin' with a bloody nose, and"
''No. 1 don't remember anything of the
Sort interrupted Butch" you're way
off that l distinctly remember that 1
lambasted you until you yelled that you'd
had enough, and
Say" said "Tubby" getting up from the
table, 81 don't like to have you say that
when you know that it's not SO. You know
darned well that the only time you ever
whipped me was that time. down to the
hollow. when you had your whole gang
along with you, and"
"Ho. listen to the man. exclaimed
Butch sarcastically. also rising from the
| table. 'Well. if you don't beat the dick
ems! Why, there never was time when
| couldn't wallop you until you didn't know
| north from south or winter from summer
and
could hey?" put in "Tubby," visibly
pretty thick in your statements. but If you
think I'm going to let you stand there and
drivel that way, like man in his second
childhood, you're off your base, and
who's driveling? Who's in his second
chfldhood?' wrathfuliy inquired Butch,
shaking his finger under ''Tubbys" nose
| IF it wasn't that 1 always knew you We're
! slightly off your balance, I'd have word
or two to say to you that'd-''
Say it, that's all!'
ooh, run along home to your backwoods
You make me ache
And then the pair Of boyhood friends
stood and jawed at each other for twenty
doors
Even sentiment cannot triumph over a
mans recollection of his thrashngs at the
hands of another boy.