"DOC" ELDEN and THE "BLACK-LEG."
experienced Gambler came to the front at a certain pay-day, put up his Tent without opposition from the authorities, and opened a "gambling hell," and a number of the boys were beaten out of their hard earnd money by the wily rascal. Doc was lured into the den, and lost every cent he had in a very few games. He then took a favorable position and watched the gambler closely, and soon discovered the secret of his success, and concluded to beat him at his own game. But how? his money was gone. He approached one of his most intimate friends, (every member of of the company was his friend,) and solicited the loan of $10, candidly revealing the facts, as stated above, asserting in addition, the positive assurance of retrieving his former losses.
At this moment another comrade came in and heard the concluding words, and at his suggestion, each gave Doc $5.00, and having received the cash, he seemed very grateful, then turning to go he said, "I'll pay you back your money to-night."
In about two hours, he returned to camp, paid back the borrowed money, promptly, and held in his hand quite a roll of green-backs besides. When asked the question, "How did you do it?" he answered with a single word, "Bluffing."
"RED TAPE."
his was a Term applied to the lengthy routine, through which all business had to pass, even the minutest affair, went from Company to Regimental, thence to Brigade and Division Head-qrs, for approval, after which it was returned to the place of starting, through the same channel, thus taking much time, which often, under certain circumstances, made applications or petitions, a mere farce.
On one occasion, a comrade received a dispatch informing him of the death of his wife. Having applied for leave to go home, it took two days to get it, and when he got home the wife was already buried.