Arizona republican., 1908-02-13
By LOUIS WEADCOCK

Mir. Hopkins threw back his head and laughed.
 "I?" he asked q try dodge like that? Not l. Am one of these fellows that is tied SO fast to the hardware business that he doesn't know Balzae from Hall Caine? Am a slave to my business? No. read. l study. I improve my mnd. I'm going to deliver lecture that's eorker Been working at it for than week. Been neglecting my business in fact Here's looking at you"
 "Pilsbury looked at Haines and Haines looked at Pillsbury fer scme time before they drank Then they sighed
 "It's going to be verge than a bu, fight" said Pillsbury geniay.
 T hope the police don't interfere" said Haiaes. "A ten-round bout between Hopkins and Balzac Why. Hop can't pronounce that Haze the same way three times in succession"
 The two big front were filed The women outnumbered the men. Yet none of the men seemed on Bazae every evening
 The president of the club . large lady with eye
 
 Mir Hopkins freshly shaysn and slightly flushed. sat at her side. From the other side of the room Mrs. Hopkins beamsd upon him
 He winksd at her. Then he remembered that he had never seen any other lecturer wink at his wife or anybody's else wife in public So he blushsd a little more
 ua tbn him and he began wonder if his coat was not get ting too tight across the shoulders
 He noticed too that of the electric lights shous more brightly than the others He wondered why. He compared that electric light with those in the store. He remembered that somebody had said that all 16-candlepower lights not of the same strength. and as his mind went wandering down q vista illuminated with various sorts of lights he got cold all and his face began to feel as if it were made of wood. The president had called his name and made brief speech of introduction
 He stood up and bowed stiRy Pilssury and Haines were looking at him with ecmpassion written all over their fat faces. NIT. Hopkins glared back at them.
 who will now address upon The h. fuence of Balaac upon the Latter-day French Novel ists.' pounded into his ears and be grabbed the readng-table with one hand and cleared his throat Ladies and gentlemen" he said I've written out what I'm going to say. and it isn't very long and hope you'll enjoy hearing ii as we'll as did writing it."
 And then he read them Mikes copy of the intro duction to Balzac
 Even Piilsbury and Haines got interested in 1t as Mr. Hopkins went along
 AS for the real members they fairly drank in every word.
 MT. Hopkins. warming to his work, regretted that there only three pages more instead of thirty He liked the sensation of being the centre of all the attention He even ventured to introduce a pathetic tone in his voice once or twice
 Once he stamped his foot and then elevated his hand above his head He had keep 1t there little longer than be had intended but be did no; bring it down until he could find some appropriate sentiment with which to accompany it's descent and pro.uee an effect
 He read slowly. that every word might sink ,n A2d striking the last page and happening to no- tice that both Piilsbury Halnes were looking at him ia open moutasd admiration. he sackened his pace and became even r2ore impressive "Aad, he read. "Bazac represented n his various works both poles of narrative writing He was at once romanticist and reallst A fine steel ensra. ing of Balzac will be found upon page five hundred and twepty-sx."
 MT Hopkins saw the moose in which he had hanged himself as quickly anybody else. But quicker. Pillsbury and Haines broke into unhallowed glee. Pillsbury dared to ask in high tone: 2