The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-11
oRooKErTs CREDENTIALS.
Bis Certificate of Correct Behavior at =
Great Public Dinner.

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Bis Certificate of Correct Behavior at q
Great Public Dinner.
New York Sun.
Although Crockett was at first not adverse
to the notoriety which his eccentricities
achieved for him, he gradually grew ashamed
OF them, and would gladly have been at less
variance with his comparatively polished
surroundings. On one occasion when he
had accepted an invitation to q large public
dinner at which many notables were to be
present, he sought Judge Bowen an official
OF distinction, who knew him we'll and liked
him.
Judge" he said, 81 understand that you
are to be present at the big feed this even
ing"
Certainly, Mr.. Crockett Pretty much
every WOODY will be at the dinner, / believe"
We'll, judge" said Crockett, little shy
ly Il want to ask favor of you. Will you
40 me the honor to observe me narrowly all
through the repast?'
why, of course; if you wish it, Mr. Crock
EFT, " said the Judge, anticipating some fresh
oddly or unccuthness; but what for?''
Never mind at present, Judge; I'll let you
know afterward," said Crockett. "And, by
the by, give the wink TO some friends you
can trust-gentlemen of eminence and dis
tinction like yourself, you know-so that
they may observe me likewise. But mind
you, Judge, they must be eminent men
for me, Judge?''
The Judge renewed his promise with much
heartiness. The dinner came off accord
!ngly. But those who had been on the look
out for some fresh breach of etiquette on the
part of the untutored congressman were
doomed to disappointment, though the event
was, perhaps, none the less amusing. 1t soon
became evident that, instead of seeking to
attract attention, he was earnestly endeavor-
ing to avoid it. From the outset he made
superhuman efforts to attain the well-bred
decorum that ruled around him, and with
very commendable degree of success He
studied the manners of his neigh
bors is disposing OF their viands and
wines with the keenness of trapper on
an indistnct trail in the starlight, and imi-
tated them with the au tomaton-llke
assiduity of a Chinese tailors apprentice
His childlike painstaking was equally pa
thetic and ludicrous. But, as has been said
he achieved a fair degree of success. Course
succeeded course without evolving peroep-
tible bunder He even slipped his wine
gently, instead of engulfing it thirstily. The
temptations of the dessert were successfully
resisted. The toasts were drunk sparingly
AT last, to the wonder of all and the disap-
pointment of many, the dinner was at an
end without the notorious Mr.. Crockett's
having betrayed q single oddity or vulgarism
whatever original or otherwise.
The next day Crockett again called on
Judge Bowen in his office with q mixture
of hope, anxiety and suspense in his manner.
Judge" said he, did you and your friends
observe me closely at the big dinner, as l re-
quested?'
The Judge had OWNED the rough dia-
mond's praiseworthy aspirations and fully
sympathized with them. Eyes, Mr.. Crockett,
we did" he replied, land, sir, we were both
astonished and overjoyed. Mr.. Crockett
must have been masquerading up to this
time we said to ourselves, for it is evident
that he is, after all, a fine gentleman, who
now suddenly casts aside the backwoods
character he has thus far seen fit to main
tain"
'Great Godl are you in earnest, Judge?'
exclaimed Crockett his breath almost taken
away. did l really behave decent then?'
"Decently, sir?' reiterated the Judge.
'That doesn't express it. sir You conducted
yourself throughout with a dignity and
polish as to the manner porn"
Crockett gave 2 whoop. Put that down
in writing J1afsoih no osrelai II. cd. "Draw il
up in regular black and white as they do
resolutions. sayin' just how / behaved at
that big dinner. Then sign it, and have
those eminent friends of yours sign it, too.
l want it as proof that l kin be gentleman
under pressure Judge-that / amt always
the unlocked riproarer they've mostly cred
tied me with bein'. Will you, Judge?'
II will and with the utmost pleasure Mr.
Crockett" replied Judge Bowen, with diff
Guilty controlling himself, despite the drol-
cry of the situation. 'Call tomorrow. and 1
will have the the document duly drawn up
and signed"
Greatly elated, Crockett called on the fol-
lowing day and got the coveted document
Its contents were everything he could DESIRE
and appended to it were a dozen or more DIS
tinguished signatures. For long time af-
forward he was very fond of exhibiting the
paper, especially to ladies at whose houses he
imagined he had most garngly miscon-
Quoted himself. He also, upon his return to
Tennessee, displayed it with great pride to
many of his constituents, and the paper be-
came known as the Hon. David Crocketts
credentials