The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-05-18
cor. BOB. ~TNGERsOLL.
Tive Suaday Evening Gathering &c IEfs
8aaGaae Ina Washington.
fSt. Louis Globe-Domocrat,1

ISL IDIlS SlOUE~LcNGSLiaL1j
Among the permanent residents added 70
Washington in the past few years, and over
which fact ali save the preachers congratu-
late themselves, is Col. Ingersoll and bis fam
lily. This prince Of pagans occupies q hand
some residence on Lafayette square,, aoJoIn-
ing the house where President Madison and
Lis pretty Dolly lived long years ago. On
Sunday evenings the Ingersoll home is open
10 their friends and these Sabbath symposlums
most enjoyable Of all the weekly round
of social affairs that any season can offer.
Ease and hospitality liyen the air from the
square tiled hall into which the vestlbule
opens TO. the ren0tesG eanctum.
Before the church bells have ceased tolilng
the faithful to evening service, people begin
dropping into this charming home, and inc
smooth lace and round head of the host ap-
pears to the. visitor in the hall with unnack-
neyed and cordial greetings. Added 10 his
own social att ac%liyeness Col. lngersoll has q
delightful family TO make it more inviting 10
bis guests. Mrs. 1ngersoll is a bright-faced
and handsome matrOn on whom the cares OF
life have sat lightly, and whose clear-cub and
animated couutenance is q perpetual study
with its quick play and change OF expression.
Tn two daughters are pretty and charming
young girls, with q quiet ease aud modest y
Of demeanor that quickly render them de-
lightful entertainers. It is the boast OF their
proud purent that these two daughters never
went To school, but there is the patent fact
back Of this that TO know Bob Ingersoll is q
liberal education, and to have been q mem
Der of his family for 8 score Of years insures
8 high degree Of culture.
The Ingersoll parlors were pleasantly filled
last Sunday night. The house is admirably
fitted for entertaining, with Its three rooms
opening into one another and the dining
room beyond. The guests sat and stood 10
groups about the rooms, and the host was
everywhere to see that every one knew every
one else and was being entertained. For
wit, %eloquence and repartee Col. lDgersoll
flnds no superior. and with 2 room full of
friends about him his bon mote and epigrams,
are incessant.
At 10 o'clock the dining. room doors slide
back and o bountiful supper served. The
table was proof Of the domestic genius Of
Mrs. lngersoll, and differed vastly from the
Carterers repasts that generally grace such
affairs. A huge and exquisite punch bowl
crowned one end Of the table, over which the
host presided, and as the crimson tide fell
within the bowl, bottles of champagne went
kissing into it or claret gurgled out it's ruby
richness, and mine hest stirred the ladle, and
kept up the running fire of his speech. With
the ladies seated and the gentlemen standing
and moving around, the greatest sociability
prevailed, and seldom Is an evening marked
by SO many bright people and brilliant say
ings.
A acore and more Of celebrities, beauties
and interesting people were gathered there
that evening, and the hearty good nights and
courteous urgings to come again were not the
least pleasant features Of the occasion. Col.
Ingersoll, the royal host sped each parting
guest with some honmot, and were they Of
the male persuasion, lighted their homeward
ways from the boxes or pet cigars that graced
the table DC the red parlor.