"SIT DOWN, ROBERT."

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3186, 14 September 1881, Page 4

"SIT DOWN, ROBERT."

Elder Traverse, who lately died in Buffalo, old and bent and full of years, was once the most noted man in Eastern New York as a camp meeting leader. He had a powerful voice, and was a fluent speaker, and in the prime of life could get away with any man who ever sought to disturb his meetings. The Elder was once holding a camp-meeting at Yonkers, and word reached him that a notorious rough, known as ' Chicago Bob,' intended to be on hand next Sunday for a row. He made no reply and took no precautions, but when Bob appeared on the grounds with a cigar in his mouth and a slung-shot in his sleeve, the Elder didn't grow pale worth a cent. Bob had come out there to run things, and he took a forward seat. When the crowd began to sing he began crowing, and thus created confusion. ' Robert, you had better sib down,' observed tho elder, as he came forward. ' Chicago Bob sits down for no man !' was the reply. ' Bit down, Robert,' continued the elder, as he put his hand on the loafer's arm. ' Here goos to clean out the crowd !' crowed Bob, as he peeled off his coat. Next instant the older hit him under the ear, and as he fell over a bench he was followed up and hit again and again, and while in a semi-uneonsciou3 state he was carried off by his friends. Next day he was the first to come forward for prayers. The elder put his band on his head and said : ' Robert, are you in earnest ?' •lam.' 'Are you really.seoking for faith ?' ' You bet I am! If faith helps a man to get in his work as quick as you did yesterday, I am bound to have it, if I have to sell my hat!' He didn't get it very strong, but he did no more crowing while the meeting lasted, —Utica Observer.