The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-07
A Good Story.

Whitney. Texas, January dear Sir
and comrade; II the following true story
is worth printing let IT 80 10 the Con ed
crate veterans column:
The undersigned during the war between
the States was a member OF the Fifteenth
Texas infantry. Polignac's brigade. AS
"reminiscences OF camp life that do not flDd
their way into history are asked for
think the following is too good 70 be lost
and hence send 1t to you,
Dave Derden, member OF company f.
Fifteenth Texas infantry descended ron
patriotic revolutionary stock, though
boy only IS gears of age AT school, en-.
listed at the beginning Of the war as
private soldS~s, He was reared In thu
country on his fathers farm and when n
at school during vacation aud Saturday
worked with the negroes on tho plantation
Those were days when round dances, the
german and card parties were unknown ta
least 10 Dave. on Sundays he read the
Bible or with his grandmother attendsi
sunday school He had never seen
game at cards PLAYED or dance except
weevilly wheat or an oldfashioned reel.
But on entering the service, between
drills. fights and marches. his comrade,
whiled away the time at cards, and having
nothing else to do, Dave. under com
petent instructors. soon learned to play
and advanced rapidly to hrst rank OF the
experts at draw poker. His fame as such
among the rank and file was cosxtensive
with the brigade. The captain OF his COM
pany--no mean poker player hiniseif--af-
ter having practically tested Dawes skill
a number OF times and coming on, second
best, verify believed that Dave Was the
best poker player in the world. and 10 got
ry4fh Aafd ~ h0 hu IA
fsated him In the game. invited them
two colonies. each commanding a reg-
ment in said brigade-to visit him at his
tent for a round at draw. and informed
the subject OF this sketch OF their com
ing. and told him 10 come around after
the game should begin and take a hand
Young Derden was at the time bsrefooted
mo shoes and none we're TO be had for
love or money, and while not ayerse "a
engaging In the game, raised the pom
tina, officers Of such high grade would not
under army regulations play with a pri-
vate The FIRST lieutenant OF his com
pany was email man. and the captain
suggested that he borrow his coat. and
with this much OF uniform on. would be
| introduced as a lieutenant, and thus sur
mount the difficulty and as many o. TIL
men and officers were baref3ote1 and hal
naked nothing would be Suspected.
The two colonies at the appolnted time
arrived. and the game was proceedinf
when our young comrsde walked into the
tent. The captain arose and. with great
politeness. introduced him 70 the two Wis
ltins colonies as Lieutenant Derden. who
at the time with mud between hi. toes
and above HE ankles and the excuse for
pants he had on rolled up 10 his kuees. In
me military style ssluted bis uniformed
superiors each OF whom warmly grasped
him by the hand. charmed with theil
| juvenile subordinate. and courteously in.
sisted that the lieutenant take hand N
the game which, with some show OF
reluctance. he dl5
This vas about 10 o'clock a. m. The,
were PLAYING al $3.50 ante. using none,
ana 70 clips Young Dsrden hsd mons,
20 burn. He pulled out his roll. taking d
piece OF huckskiu iron, AROUND n. and
nlodestiy set II down IN front Of him
wher Colonel remarked:
Lieutenant, you have more money thar
any id barefooied man ! ever saw"
The deals wsat around rapidly and tn.