San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-06-29
FIRST CHAPTER BEGAN IN NO. I3I JUNE "a


Son of Protestant minister Robert Inger-
soil early showed special aptitude for the dis
cussion of theological questions. By the age
L., he had thoroughly studied the Old Tesla.
ment, and would reason upon it like doctor
of divinity The father in vain drew Roberts
attention to the beauties of the Bible; the
son could see little in it but absurdities and
inconsistencies. The old minister was heard
to say: ut grieves me to hear my Robbie
talk so, but declare he is too much for me;
| cannot answer him"
Who can answer Ingersoll' is question
often asked Apparently not the ministers
of the hundreds of different Protestant sects
that flourish in America; not Mr.. Gladstone,
student of the Bible and profound reasoner
though he be.
For more than year, the president Of the
Nineteenth Century club Of New York was
trying to get Protestant minister to break
a lance with this redoubtable agnostic in
public, but without avail Not one felt equal
to the task.
That which makes this man so formidable
is not so much his eloquence, his quick repair
tee, his sarcasm, his pathos, his humor, it is
above all tho life he leads, the example he
sets Of all the domestic virtues One must
have the privilege Of knowing him intimately,
of penetrating into that sanctuary of conju
gal happiness, his home, before one can form
an idea of the respect that he must inspire
even in those who abhor bis doctrines. His
house is the home of the purest joys; it holds
four hearts that beat as one.
Mr.. Ingersoll lives in one of the handsome
houses on Fifth avenue. His family consists
Of his wife and two lovely daughters, Athens
and Venice, as an American whom met at
Col Ingersol's used to call them Indeed
one reminds you of the beautiful creations of
Titan. The other seems like a NEUROLOGICAL
vision, nymph from the banks of Eryman-
thus As you look at her, while she speaks
to you with her eyes modestly lowered, al
most seeming to apologize for being so lovely.
you involuntarily think of lie Jeune Ma
lade" Of Andre Chenier, that last Of the
Greek poets, as Edmond About called him.
Authors, artists, journalists, members of
the thinking world Of New York may be met
at the coloners charming Sunday evenings.
About II at night, when all but the intimate
friends of the family have left, these latter
draw around their host, and entice him to
talk upon one of his favorite subjects, poetry,
music, or may be the Mistakes of Moses,n
while they listen with avidity He knows
his Shakespeare as thoroughly as the Bible,
only he speaks of him with far more respect
and admiration. He adores Wagner, whom
he sets even above Beethoven | mention
this to prove once more that we have all our.
little faults, and that Col Ingersoll, in COM
mon with his fellow mortals, is not perfect
Between midnight and in the morning, the
last visitors reluctantly depart On the way
home, you think of all the witty things that
have been said, the arrows of satire that
have been shot at hypocrisy and humbug,
the ennobling humanitarian opinions that
have been advanced; and though you may
not feel converted, or diverted, or perverted
to Ingersollism, you are sure to leave that
house feeling fuller of good will toward all
men, and saying to yourself: What a de-
ightful evening have passed."
was present one evening at meeting Of
the Nineteenth Century club to hear a dis
cussion on The Poetry Of the Future" Col
lngersol was to have taken part in it, but,
being retained professionally at Washington,
he was obliged to excuse himself at the
eleventh hour. The president Immediately
telegraphed to a well known minister asking
him to take the colonel's place
Il distinctly decline to take Col Ingersoll's
place il this world or the next" exclaimed
the recipient of the telegram as soon as he
had read it. The reverend gentleman never
theless took part in the evenings debate and
when be repeated his repartee to the audi
ence was greeted with hearty laughter and
applause
A yDrI-T>T