The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-26
AN OLD "REMINISCENCES.
SOME MEN ARE LIKE SHIPS THAT
PASS IN THE NIGHT.
4 Gambler Who After Life of Reckless
ness Became Good Christian-A
Curious Story.


was at a house near by.
took copy OF The Times along o,
the Sth Of December. to show the ola
gentleman the article on the three men,
like ships. that pass in the night.
He was greatly Interested in the ar
ticle, and said that he had known Rev
Mr.. Brown, for he was a member OF 'ne
Board OF Trustees, when Brown was at
Randolph-Macon College, before the COL
lege was stolen" Il was sure, SAID ne
that Brown would ascend the LADDER
for / could see in him that tenacity Oh
purpose possessed by very large M
nority Of men, which sends us possessol
right to the head of the line-a property
far more desirable than what is COM
monty called genius.
Il knew in my younger days numerous
young men said TO be geniuses' ana eA-
perience has taught me 10 more surely
expect success in any line from the man
Of tenacity first"
Heath? No, never heard Of him be
fore, but l see no reason why gambler
should ipso facto be dishonest man
Those of US who remember gamblers III
the olden time can recall some whose
character was unimpeachaoie. W no VIII
call Crindle. or Ned Goode. or Joe Han
or Bob Wooding, or Jim McCargo' OF
jim tdIutu llSIONtsl.
A REMARKABLE MAN.
Mr. Garden was an exceptional man
a Virginian Of the old school, full OF me-
fun and frolic. with nerve WhlcA IN
der no circumstances could be unstrung.
ION one occasion he was betting against
a faro-bank, which az that day was dealt
in the open near the race-track at Pc
tersburg Mr.. Garden was losing ana
deeply absorbed in the game, not houcihs
a quarrel between the man sitting next
20 him and man opposite The opposite
man fired across the table killing MS op-
ponent The dealer and every one. jump
ed up in CONSERVATION, but Garden, VINO
politely informed the dealer that he had
some money on the queen, and would
be obliged to him II he would turn anu
see if ne won Il. as his attention to MS
business might prove more profitable thah
interfering In q dispute already settled
This to show what nerve he had.
He was at the races at ChrisuahsVlle
now Chase CITY, in 1893, when the stars
fell He with the late David Shelton.
Sport Rolfe. and another were playing
Loo i'm the sitting room behind the bar
at Puryears tavern. There was an out
side stair which led up 10 the room above,
with a little platform landing In 'front.' oil
the door. which upper room none OF the
party knew was occupied except Role.
ANGELS UNAWARES.
when the cry that the stars were
falling reached the little coterie, Garden
stepped out Of the back door and was
looking up when A female. all in white,
jumped from the platform above ana
scooted around the house just as Shelton
reached the door and inquired. DO you
reckon the worlds coming 10 an enc
Jimg Yes said Garden, for ] Just saw
an angel from heaven light right out
there and run around the house
.'On one occasion he became so involved
financially that everything he had was
sold unDer the hammer at a sherih :
sale. His wife. who was one Of those
pure and sanity women, whose memory
is always a bright. scntllaung star In
the dark armament OF humanity. was
greatly distressed over the scattering OF
her household goods Not so, however,
the old man, but with unrufiied calm he
put his arms around his loved companion
and besought her not TO grieve. for within
two years, my dear, you shall ride IN
your own coach and four which promise
ne kept, having the finest coach made ana
four cream cOlored horses.
Il could tell you numbers Of things OF
this most remarkable man which hap
pened I'm his wild days, but VIII only
give you the sequel.
A MOTHERS KNEE.
whether it was the force Of education
received al his mothers knee, and
will remark, en- passent, that we Viz
ginians owe all the goodness we may
claim first and always TO that race Of
sanity women who were instant In sea-
son and out Of season trying 10 inculcaie
ind
Of virtue. morality, and goodness, with
out which man is but q brute-whether
It was this. the holy influence OF his
wife. or what / have no means OF know
ing. but this happened.
zone night, after rollicking day, ne
was driving home I'm his gig. lie was
as calm as was usual with him lie saw
a bright light on the ground near one of
the wheels. and on examination be found
that he could see through a window. for
the panes were well defined The sight
presented TO his vision exceeded in hor-
ror anything he had ever heard Of or
thought Of
He hurried his horse TO get away
from the uncanny scene but found that
il kept its position near the wheel so as
TO give him a microscopic view OF the
torture Of the lost souls in Gehenna.
speed. Mr.. Garden. with his usual self
possession. stopped his horse suddenly
As suddenly did the vision stop. Then
he walked his horse slowly, then trotted,
irving various speeds 10 satisfy his calm
Judgment as TO the reality OF the appa-
rently impossible sight
1.-The vision adapted its gait 20 suit MT
Gardens, and for miles stuck 10 him,
only disappearing when he drove through
the big gate some distance from MS
house.
BECAME A CHRISTIAN.
"Having been one OF the widest and
most reckless of men, from That night ne
became an earnest Christian ana most
jealous churehman. Never again was ne
known TO engage in any sport but led
cody. sober. and righteous life.
These things are true. and while there
were many men in the olden days who
were gamblers, the tricks OF to-day Would
have driven them TO nock by themselves
and a man who at that day succeeded III
gambling had 20 he honest. II may be
that this man Heath IS the last OF the
Mohicans Of that honest race.
Il see no reason why he should be de-
nounced as a robber. L never saw the
game Of keno, and. OF course, know moth
ing OF its advantages. but any game
will give the dealer enough advantage
without his cheating TO get IL and from
my view of things. which is, OF course
old-fashioned. gaming for stake Is no
sin
Suppose, FOR instance, that l had
steer whom l could never find where he
ought to be and you had blind mule
who kicked at every sound. ! am anX-
ious TO sell the tricky steer and you
wouldn't mind selling the mule. We met
casually. utter strangers; l am driving