The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-02
INGERS0LL As A BOY.
Tod His Falhsr Hs Didn't Want 10 Go 10
Reavenn"

Ashtabula, o.. is noted for two things
IT was the scene nearly quarter of a
century ago OF one of the most fright
full railroad wrecks in the history of the
world, disaster in which, among 9TH
ers, p. r. Bliss. the singing evangelist.
and his wife were burned to death.
Ashtabulas s other claim to fame is
founded on the fact that over fifty years
ago Col. Robert G.. lngersoll lived there
with his father, who was Presbyteri-
an minister, says the Cleveland Plain
Dealer.
Rev. John Ingersoll was of the strait
est sect. His sons did not take the
broad path, as so many sons of such
fathers have done; but one of them.
Robert, became eventually the fore
most free thinker of America. Bob was
born in Dresden, n. Y, and he was s
years old when his father went to Ash
tabula to live. eThe church building in
which the father preached and Robert
went to service and TO Sunday school
will soon be torn down. 1t has stood
in the center of the city for sixty years.
Robert at that time was Grahamite. or
vegetarian. not because he wanted to
be, but because has father made him
forego the fleshly food or which the
son ate freely so soon as he got away
\
continued the ascetic G-et all his life he
might present a different appearance
now.
Old Ashtabula people remember when
he who is a portly, dignified gentleman
now went around the town barefooted,
as boys were wont to do In the summer
in small towns. Roberts mother died
when he was young and he was left 20
the tender meress -of the strctest of
fathers. Little Stb was like many 9TH
er boys, i'm that ~ was inclined TO be
rather mischievoi 5 when his Sunday
school teacher pu- the old questions to
him that so many boys have heard.
Don't you want to go 10 heaven?"
was one OF the questions one day, to
which the boy replied:
mo"
When his father asked him why not.
Robert answered that he really did,
want to go there. but the teacher had
no business to ask such foolish ques-
ton.
Another time the teacher asked him
how many gods there were, 10 which
Robert. ina a spirit OF fun, answered.
six" so the story runs. for which re-
ply he was reproved.
There are some Ashtabula people who
remember when the boy who has be-
come one of tAe foremost orators in
America made repeated failures in
speaking his pieces" In school. It was
only when he had reached the years OF
manhood that Robert conquered the
shyness and forgetfulness which used
TO cause him 50 much embarrassment
on the little school platform. After a
few years In Ashtabula. the family
moved 10 MadisoH o.. and then into
Illinois. from which state Robert went
into the army and 90 congress.
Can't he perfect health without pyre
blood. Burdock Blood Btters makes
pure blood Tones and invigorates the
whole system.
'Tisn't safe 10 be day without DR..
Thomas Eclectric on I'm the house.
Never can tell what moment an acci-
dent is going 10 happen.
only one remedy IN the world that
will at once stop itchiness of the skin
IN any part OF the body: DOan's Oint-
ment AZ any drug store. 30 cents.
Mothers lose their dread for "that
terrible second summer when they
have DIR. F0wier's Extract ~ Wild
Strawberry IN the house. Natures spe-
clfe for bowel complaints Of every sort.