The Banner-Democrat., 1898-03-19
THE GEORGIA HUMORIST
PHILOSOPHER WRITES INTERESTINGLY
OF THE GAMBLERS.
characteristics of the Family--There are
Many in the States Of Georgia and
Mississippi, But are all Al Ike to
william.

/ never met Gambler or read Of one
but what my mind involuntarily whis-
pers, Gentlemen of the Banks County
Guards" know of but one Gambler
family in the state and all its members
are marked for force and originality.
This family goes back to revolution
ary sire and has inherited his virtues,
his patriotism, his integrity and self
reliance. I never knew a family that
had more self-reliance. They lean on
nobody and ask no favors, but forge
ahead. Yes, they forge ahead and
carve their own way in the batt,e of
life. but not to make money. They
are all poor. but are Independent and
successful. ] don't mean to say they
are poverty stricken, but never knew
Gambler who was rich. RicLos are
not their goal. know of two genera
tions of these Gamblers and they are
all alike-the girls and the boys
alike in their family training-their
estimate of duty, their sobriety, their
high ambition, their cheerfulness,
their faith in God and His DEGREES.
Gentlemen of the Banks County
Guards, you will please to right face. u
1t was during the long winter OF
1S61-62 when we were in winter quar-.
ters at Centerville, Va, we boys used
to go down occasionally to hear Capt.
Gambler drill his company. This
Capt. Gambler was the father of our
next governor, and like all the Can.
dlers, had his own ways and methods
He was Chesterfield in manners, q
Stonewall in patriotism and was neve,
known to use any profane language OF
to relate vulgar anecdote. His DO.
likeness was intuitive. He couldni
help it. Gentlemen of the Banks
County Guards, please to give me
your attention. hold in my hand an
order from the colonel commanding
directing me to take you on picket
duty to Mason's hill tomorrow morn.
ing at sunrise and that you provide
two days rations for that service. ]
trust that it will be your pleasure tc
comply with that order.'
All his commands were polite re.
quests and even the rudest of his men
were improved and refined in their
manners and conversation by associa.
ton with him. He was a patriot, O
soldier and always q gentleman. The
Second Georgia was commanded by
the brave Colonel Semmes, and some.
times when the regiment was on drill
or dress parade General Johnston and
his staff would happen there just to
hear Captain Gambler drill his mer.
Gentlemen of the Banks County
Guards, you will observe that the eyes
of our great leader are upon you, and
trust that you will show your very
best soldierly training while in his
presence. Gentlemen of the Banks
County Guards, you will please to
shoulder arms; right face; forward
: march," He always uncovered his
head and thanked them when the drill
was over.
reckon these Gamblers were origin.
ally Chambers, for I find no Gamblers
in my biographies. Probably the ar.
eestor of this Georgia branch got dis
gusted with those fanatical fellows ur
north who abused us SO and he drop-
ped letter from his name and boy.
cotted the whole concern. have met
and domiciled with these Gamblers in
Georgia and Mississippi, and they are
alike in strength and force of charac
ter and good citizenship. They use
no corrupt methods to gain their ends.
Whether as preachers, OF teachers, or
college presidents, or judges or mem
bers Of congress, they rank their
places without the aid of rings. or
schemes. or promises. I knew some
Of these Gamblers away back in the
forties. at Nuckodisville, when the
Pigeon Roost gold mine was consider
cd an Eldorado- and remnant of the
Chcrokees were still hanging around.
Tho fact is That our Allen came
pretty near being an Indian, for old
Mrs. Pascal was his godmotLer, and
she had lived among the Indians Her
son married John Ridges daughter.
the princess Of the tribe. His cousin.
Milton Candicr. looks moro like an
Indian than q white man, and all of
them have tho stoicism of the race.
While they are all devoted to their
kindred and to the moral principles
Of their ancestors, yet, strange to say,
they have separated in their religious
faith. for some are Baptists and some
Gro Methodists and some Presbyte-
rians. But whatever they are they
are that oil over and whatever they do
is done well.
So now lei rings and combinations
take oack seat for while and let the |
people speak and Colonel Gambler will |
60 into of1.co with The old time major
its OF 80, ,0G0, and their will bo q re-
union Of tho old time democra-
cy. Tho rugged honesty of the man
will satisfy and crafty the. populists
everywhere ord ali discussions will bo |
buried. He has already spoken for
economy and lower taxes and he means
1t. The truth is that our taxes have
got to be a burden too great to be
borne, and every legislature adds to
IT. l remember when the rate was on
y 10 cents on q hundred dollars. and |
now 1t is ten times that in the country
and twenty times in town or city. I
Some strong mind has got to take
hold of this thing and stop II. We
want n Mococ IN load xbn x,~,.~l< - - /