The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-07-12
BOB GAzELY, THE sKEPTIC.
He Explains in a Modern Way Biblical Incident.
TeIds SifIfHgsl

He Explains In a Modern Way Biblical Incident.
LTeras Sl1ings.l
Bob Gazely was a source of annoyance, not
only to his own relatives but to all the church
going people in the Sulphur Springs Settlement,
Cibolo Creek, Wilson County, Tex. Bob was,
however not blatant infdel, like his name
sake, Col. Bob IngersOL He was merely
Indifferent skeptic, who positively refused to
be converted. When the annual camp-meeting
was in full blast and the most hardened sim
ner5. with streaming eyes, were throngiDg the
mourner's bench, Bob would sit off at a dis
tance on the stump of a tree and cyuically
squirt tobacco Juice through his front teeth at
the tumble-bugs No matter how eloquent the
exhorter might be- he could not soften the
stony heart of cold Bob Gazely." Even the
sisters had tried TO move him, but it was no
use.
Camp-meeting season had come again, and the
services were conducted by new preacher,
named Rev Samuel Jackson. He did not rely
50 much on creating enthusiasm as he did on
his logical arguments He soon heard about
Bobs hard heart and he determined to tackle
him. He called at Bob's lonely cabin and was
cordially invited TO take one of the rawhide
chairs.
" 1 am told, Mr.. Gazely, that you refuse to
take advantage Of your glorious gospel priVi-
| leges"
Never like to take advantage of nobody
/ in puddle of tobacco juice.
Il have conversed with many sinners and
| find that their chief stumbling block Is the
| question of miracles. Is that your diificulty2'
Yes, Parson, thar amt but one miracle in
| the hull Bible that | believe"
"Ah, that is encouraging. If you believe in
! the truth of one miracle, may be, with Divine
assistance, can persuade you to believe in
more. In which miracle does my errnl
/ brother believe2o
Bob took the quid of tobacco from his mouth
| aud throwing il with unerring aim at the eye
Of one of the coon dogs that infested his cabin
said
"ThaTs story somewhar in the Bible about
/ a King who had some disease what couldn't b.
cured so he came to Elijer for treatment anG
| Elijer told him to take off his fine close ant
| bathe in the river Jordan aud put on fresl
close, aud in two weeks to bathe again and pu
on some more fresh close and lie would be cured
and lie was cured"
Your version while differing somewha
from that of the good book, is in the main cor
rect" replied Parson Jackson, gravely.
And the King did as Etijer told him, anC
he WAS cured, sure enough; and then the Kini
wanted TO give Eiijer his fine close, but Ellie
was no fool aud said he didn't want them bu
his servant went to the King, on the quiet anC
got the close and the fust thing he knowed Ii
had the same disease the King had That
the way it happened, amt it, Parson?"
"As / remarked before, in the main wha
you have stated is correct Then Mr.. Gazely
am to understand you believe in this miracu
lous cure, this great and instructive mracle2 ?
You bet / do, Parson. 1 worked that YER.
miracle myself and made success oft"
Beware presumptuous man, of the grea
sin of basphcmy."
"WeIl, did it, all the same Ihad the sam
disease as the King. | didn't hunt up Eliiel
| but / follered his direcshuns."
"What disease did you imagine you had, Nj
Gazely2'
Gazely leaned over put his hand to hi
mouth, and in a hoarse whisper, said
Insects, Parson, insects, had 'em when