National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-06-23
DAVID CROCKETT.

hold him not living In vain who can,
and II he can, will contribute from h s ex-
Ierience and age TO the passing history, in
Producing here and there q scene which pre-
ceded the present and which, perhaps
who shall say in what degree gives the
present its "1orm aud pressure"
Older men may know more, or better re
member the past than | IL so, let them
furnish out completely my deficiencies.
Young men viii be Interested even in frag-
mentary portions Of that which was being
enacted prior to their own appearance on
the stage.
With such sentiments l sketch an ocoa-
sional incident of the ancient time as IL
chances to revisit my memory. Aud first /.
David Crockot-almost every man and
boy Of to-day is familiar with that name.
To them II Is dream, generally, Of wild
romance on our western border. Miracu-
lous rifles flash plumed and painted In
dams dart clumsy bears roll through that
vision primoval forests blaze by night with
roaring fires, while reoumbent hunters of
the rude camp quar ardent tin cups, and
tell marvellous tales, and sing and laugh
and whoop till the startled birds forsaIe
their violated nests aud all the outer circle
Of blackness echoes and re-echoes the pande-
monium.
No nuieter or more gontlemanly person
did / ever meet than David Crockett. lie
came slowly lounging into the venerable
office Of the National Hnteiigencer one
severe winter afternoon, when aud where
was industriously warming my little boy
body all round the small square stove I'm the
center Of the large square room on the cor
ner Of ID and Seventh streets.
There was q vacant chair near me. lie
took IL with solemn deliberation. Then
over the fiat stove top extended his big
rough hands. "Cold," he said. Nothing
more for long while.
looked up at him, looked intently; for
this was an uncommon conner. A large
form, to my boyish idea, gigantic, great,
strange head, down either side of which,
Something savage about him, yet most
gentle savage, MS II he could fondle baby,
pet puss, and even cry very heartily, be-
ing moved by proper circumstance.
looked up at him, looked intently, and
wondered. My father, present of course,
for he "belonged to the Office" observing
my amazement, found opportunity to whis-
per in my ear; "David Crockett knew a
few things about the famous man-knew
that his life had been romance surprising
the imaginings of any poet or novelist
knew, and what so surprising as thisY-that
he was now member Of Congress. Indeed,
had heard read ut the breakfast table some
Of the "b'ar storiesn with which he fire.
quently amused, convulsed, and convinced
the "house.n
saw David Crockett.
Presently felt David Crockett. His big
right hand gliding away from the hot stove
plate chose to rest itself lovingly among
the curls Of my hair.
"You never met bar" remarked Davy;
sin course you never"
l acknowledged my total unacquaintance.
"Would like to9"
"Certainly.n
"Don't know. Better hear about 'em
first.n
'I'd be glad TO hear, them
$50 you shall, my boy. I'll tell you O
story Of one seed once't."
was charmed with the anticipation. He
would have begun 1t Immediately, but sew.
eral "members,h senators, and others that
moment entered the Office. Their business
soon over, they still fingered, for whisper
had stolen among them, and more chairs
were brought up to the fire, and an ex
pectant circle unexpectedly resulted.
81 was going to tell this lad bar story
resumed Dayy-when every voice inter
rupted him with:
t'Tell it tell it We all wish to hear 1t p
He complied. Listening, that afternoon
| proved my chief enjoyment Of life, to date
Listening seemed to prove similar sensa
ton to every person of the group. 1t wa,
a grand excitement just to listen. What
| ever was related we saw. We lived alonl
the remarkable incidents from word Il
word. Who, of mortals, save David Crock
ct could display such vivid power--coult
so WELD thunder and lightning Yet
was not altogether terror. Comlcal situa
lions were introduced. We were eager, W
were alarmed, we were suddenly In mos
| violent paroXysms of laughter
All, the Alamal Yet never went dow
in battle for freedom nobler, more glor
ious being, than David Crockett. s. d.