Arizona republican., 1907-11-30
DATE TO THRASH A MAN.
Interruption to a Dinner With . Man
 or MethodicaI Habits.

''I Ike q methodical man. said an uptown rounder, but my friend whose den ,s opposite to the one where I loiter is excessive in this line.
 He askod rra to dine with him and I accected. We went at it leisurely. We got down to the foot of the menu loafing all the way. As usual he was placid We had just reached pie and demitasse when he asked me rather suddenly the day of the month. l had il handy
 And the day of the week. he ask ed. And l handed him that. Then he looked at his watch. You won't mind. old man. he said, II tell you that l must go "I tod hi.n is t was a matter of any moment l would consent. 0ut with regret knew he was absent minded. This is the day he continued, showing back his glass and using his napkin hurriedly. when l promised 10 give Blinky a damned good thrashing. had forgotten it when l asked you tp dine. Youll excuse me, old man. won't you?'
 For his own sake. as well as my own pleasure l asked nim if he couldn't postpone the fistic affair un- 1T !ster
 "It won't make an.- difference tn you if you thrash Blinky an hour later. 1 suggested.
 Tt can't be put off he replied. I know exactly where he will be within forty minutes and prefer to lick him | at that place
 But l have just started on pie and coffee ! said.
 T have done without pie many a time. but my object was to kill time until 1t would be too late for him to go on his errand. To hear a man say with deliberation that he has an en- gagement to go out and fight rather chilled my blood, for I am a man of peace,
 No he exclaimed. rising from his chair. as he hurled the negative across the table, it can't be put off Then l replied. I'll go with you. And cut out the pie and coffee? 2 he asked.
 Sure, l answered, and my friend called for the check and tipped the waiter and we started. He got under headway first and was on the sidewalk before l got my top coat buttoned. Then he called a motor car and giving the chauffeu- | the number he told him to take a back street and let out at top speed. "On the way We talked about nearly everything except fighting. He even told me of a contemplated trip to the Far East. He burned up box of cigarettes before the car halted in front of the place in which he said the enemy had his officv.
 "I asked him if 1 had not better go in with him. He thanked me. but de- cined the offer.
 Tt won't take me long he said. and 1t might not be pleasant for a third party. You hold the car till l come out
 As he disappeared felt a clammy ooze gathering at my brow. and re- moved my hat. I looked at my watch every minute. l never knew time to drag as it did while l sat in that car. I will never know how long l sat there.
 q remember a figure coming out of the doorway. It had changed some since it had gone in. I leaped out of the car and approached my friend.
 He said he wasn't hurt. but quick ly saw that he had been up against H. If ever concoct striking transforma- ton scene for a stage I'll put in a scene like that for a thriller.
 Would you like to see him-the oth- CT fe,low?' asked m. friend.
 T don't know what made me say that [ would dote on such a sight. Quicker than a wireless message he grabbed me b. the arm and rushed me up the stairwa:' to the office Of the enemy.
 My friend opened the door. stuck my head through the aperture. Biffi Just like that, The next thing l re- member was i1 to car Mr friend was holding something under my nose.
 He aDologized for the suggestion he had made and which resulted in my from the situation in a worse ical fracas for me. thank you.-New York