COLONEL INGERSOLL’S FRIEND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XIII, 28 March 1896, Page 352

COLONEL INGERSOLL’S FRIEND.

Many are the devices which have been tried by religious people of all sects in America to convert Colonel Ingersoll. Among those who are in the habit of sending tracts and letters to the Colonel is a near-sighted old lady who is in the habit of sending him each week the Bible lessons from her copy of a country paper. In cutting out the Bible lessons to send him one week, she pasted the clippings on a sheet of note paper. Inadvertently she reversed one of the clippings, and when Colonel Ingersoll got his letter the Bible lesson read like this :— ‘ God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.—John iii., 16. ‘ And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. ‘ Drink ’s brand of Rock and Rye, warranted pure ; only 50 cents, a pint.’ Colonel Ingersoll wrote the old lady a strong letter of condemnation for attempting to convert him to drink. She was horrified to learn what she had done, and every letter she writes now—they still arrive each week—she apologizes for her mistake of reversing the Bible lesson copying and sending the rock and rye advertisement. She has stopped taking that country paper, because, she ays, it led her into such ‘grievous error.’

AT THE PANTOMIME. Dolly—‘ The idea of the creature exposing herself like that I I should be ashamed of myself.’

IMPROVING HIS MANNERS. Bobby : “A itie, paxa nte the butter.* Auntie : "If what?" Bobby: “ If you can reach it."

Good-looking young girl— ‘ Will you do something for me, Mr. B?’ • With pleasure, my dear Miss A. What is it ? ’ • Well, I wish you would propose to me so that I may crow over my cousin. I promise I won’t accept you.’