The Washington times., 1922-10-17
ONEZIMA DE BOUCHELLE'S
own story as told to Martha Ran
dolph, of the Atlanta Georgian:

Service and Atlanta Georgian.)
(All rights reserved.)
CHAPTER Ill.
don't recall who presented Asa
G. Gambler to me. 1t may have
been General Van Zandt, the COM
mander in chief of the Confederate
Veterans, but it seems to me it
was General Carr, Of North Caro-
lima. However, l am quite sure
that the presentation took place in
the lobby of the Piedmont Hotel,
Atlanta, the scene, Of the later
horrid accusations brought by the
perjured witnesses of the con-
spirators, who have dogged me al
most out of life and reason.
My impression ID that Mr.. Gambler
was q member of the Atlanta re-
ception committee and welcomed
me as such. 1 recall distinctly his
words of greeting, Il am delighted
to be presented to the young and
beautiful sponsor"
Gambler Gallant.
But you are not being presented
to the young and beautiful sponsor,
l chaffed back. You are being
presented to the old and sedate
chaperone general"
Your appearance bellies your
story that you are DID, he said gal
lantly, and / can't believe that
you are any more sedate than you
are aged"
He took advantage of the oc-
ca sion to invite myself and three
other ladies in the Louisiana party
to luncheon the following day.
I must admit that l was prepos.
sessed in his favor from the start.
He was old, it is true. but he was
Immediately groomed, his eyes
bright, they always held a merry
twinkle, and his every movement
was quick and decisive. What a con-
trast to the broken Old man, tear
full, inert, nerve -wracked that i saw
Just a few evenings ago.
You must at that time remember
that 1 was still the wife OF DIR.
Rocquet and the thought Of an
other marriage had not entered my
head. Although the relations be-
tween myself and my husband We're
strained, / had not then even de-
cDdeu uellHlteiy oh uiNoAS@ PAoNSN
ings.
was interested in Mr.. Gambler
as I am interested in every man
who has accomplished big things.
who can surmount obstacles, who
has vision and courage.
He called by the hotel for us
shortly before noon on the following
day. His uniformed chauffeur was
driving a luxurious car bearing the
Gambler coat Of arms, and 1t whtrl-
| ed us out to the Druids Hill Golf
Club, where luncheon awaited us.
Mr.. Gambler seemed bent on let
ting us know Of the things he had
done. We passed the great office
building that bears his name. Druid
| Hill is probably the most ornate resi-
Dental section of Atlanta and the
hills were developed by Mr.. Cand-
| Ter.
He was a founder Of the golf club,
| one of the most picturesque courses
in the South. In Druid Hill the
Gambler mansion with it's white mar
ble front is always a show place.
The luncheon was splendidly serv-
ed and Mr.. Gambler seemed In the
finest sort of spirits. After our de-
parture from the club we drove to
the home fo Mr.. Candler's son.in.law,
Mr.. Henry Heinz, where Mr.. Heinz
played for us on fine pipe organ.
When he left us at the hotel he
presented me with a huge box Of
candy for the ladies'" az he ex-
! pressed it, and made another ap.
pointment for an automobile tour
over Atlanta on the following day.
Now, here let me interrupt this
81 srtx lon ~
the conditions under which we lived
during the Atlanta reunion. This
becomes important in view Of events
that the future was to materialize.
Our hotel was packed. Bands
were blaring in the lobby all day and
practically all night. AS chaperon
general, was in charge of the suite
of rooms assigned to the sponsors
and maids of the general staff.
They were coming and going every
minute. l don't believe there was
second during the twenty-four
hours each day Of the reunion when
there were not at least three of us
in the suite and generally there were
half dozen visitors.
Not much chance for q clandes.
tine meeting with a travelling sales
man. Hardly. Travelling statesmen,
as u matter or fact, were giving At
lanta wide berths that week. There
were no rooms in the hotels for
them.
Delegate to Geneva.
The next day Mr.. Gambler drove
us out to Emery University, the
educational institution Of the Meth.
odist Episcopal Church South,
founded by his donations of millions
and presided over by his brother,
Bishop Warren A. Gambler, of whom
We will hear more anon.
We saw the marvellous new plant,
the vast hospital that Mr.. Gambler
was building for medical research
work. the stately buildings, the won.
derful driveways, the inspiring
campus. And Mr.. Gambler always
looked on II with the eyes OF a
father. or rather the pride OF N prI.