The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1884-01-13
CROCKETTS DIGNITY.
How the Noted Backwoodsman
Scored a Success for Etiquette
and Decorun.

New York Sun
Although Crockett was at first not adverse
% the notoriety which his eccentricities
achieved for HIM, he gradually grew
ashamsd Of them, and would gladly hive been
less at variance with his comparatively pol
ished surroundings. On one occasion, when
he had accepted an Invitation TO a large pub
lie dinner at which many notables were TO he
present, lac sought Judge Bowen, II N official
Of distinction, who knew him well and liked
him.
Judge" he said, 81 understand that you
are to be present at the big feed this evening
Certainly, Mr.. Crockett Pretty much
every body will he at the dinner, L believe"
well, judge said Crockett, II little shyly,
81 want to ask n favor OF you. Win you do
me tue honor TO observe me narrowly all
through the repastf'
why, of course, fyou wish 1t, Mr.. Crock
ett, " said the judge, anticipating some fresh
oddly or mcouthness, but what forf
Never mind at present, judge: IN let you
know afterward - said Crockett. "And, by
the by, give tho wink to some friends you can
rust-gontlemen Of eminence aud distinc-
ton, like yourself, you know-so that they
may observe ms likewise, But mind you,
Judge, they must be eminent men men OF
bang-up names. WIN you do all this for me,
judgef'
The judge renewed his promise with much
heartinsss The dinner came of accordingly.
But those who had been on the outlook for
some fresh breach Of etiquette on the part Of
the untutored congressman were doomed to
disappointment, though the event was, psi
haps none the less amnsing. Itsoon became evil
dent that, instead Of seeking 10 attract atten-
ton, he was earnestly endeavoring to avoid
IL. From the outset he made superhuman
efforts TO attain tho well-bred decorum that
ruled around him, and with n very commend
able degrees of success. He studied the man
neS Of his nsighbors in disposing OF their
yihnds and wines with the keenneSs Of u
trapper on an lndistiuc trail In the starlight,
and initiated them with tho automaton-like
assiduity OF a Chinese tailor's apprentice,
His child-like painstaking was equally
pathetic and ludicrous. But, as has been said,
he achieved a fair degree OF success. Course
succeeded course without evolving a percept-
IDLE blunder. He even slipped his wine gently
instead Of enguliing it thirstily. The tempta-
lions Of tho dessert were successfully resisted.
Tho toasts were drunk s%paringly. AT last,
to the wonder Of all and tho disappointment
of many, the dinner was at an end without
tho notorious Mr. Crockett's having betrayed
a single oddity or ~yulgarism whatever, oriRi-
nal or otherwise.
The next day Crockett again called on
Judge Bowen in his office, Will II 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 I TO.
questedf'
The Judge had OWNED the rough diamond
praiseworthy aspirations and fully sympa,
thized with them. YES, hr. Crockett, we
did, he replied, and, sir, we were both
astonished and o%yerjoyed. Mr.. Crockett
must hayo been masquerading up 10 this
time we said TO ourselves, for 1t Is evident
that he is, nfter all, II fine gentleman, who
now suddenly casts aside the backwoods' char
acter he has thus far seen fit 10 maintain"
Great Godi are you in earnest. judgef
exclaimed Crockett, his breath almost taken
away. Did really behave decent, thsnf'
"Decently, sirf' reiterated the judge.
" That doesn't express II, sir. You con,
Quoted yourself throughout with u dignity
and polish a. 10 the manner bornlP
Crockett gave a whoop. II that down In
writing, JIdger' he exclaimed. Draw 1t up
la reg'lar black and white. as they do resolu.
tioas, sayin' Just how 1 behaved at that big
dinner Then sign il. and have those emf
nent friends OF yours sign II too. l want 1t
as proof that | kin bo a g%nntloman under
pressure, judge-that | amt always the un-
licked riproaror they've mostly credited me
with boin'. VIII you, judgeF
Il VIII, and with the utmost pleasure, Mr,
Crockett I" replied Judge Bowen. with diff
| Guilty controlling himself despite the drollery
VI the situation. Call tomorrow, and
viii have the document duly drawn up and
signed ~
Greatly elated, Crockett called on the fol
lowing day, aud got the coveted document,
Its contents were everything he could de
sire, and appended to 1t were u dozen OI
more distinguished signatures. For "a Ions
time afterwards he was very fond Of exhibit
ing the paper, especially to such ladies al
whose houses he imagined he had most glar
ingly misconducted himself, He also, upOT
his return 10 Tennessee, displayed IL with
great pride to many OF his constituents, ans
tie paper became known as tho Hon. DayiC
| CrorErtt's crelentfalN.n