Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-05-12
Davy Crockett.

not adverse to the nOtOriety which his
eccentricities achieved for him, he grad
ually grew ashamed Of them and would
gladly have been less at variance with
his comparatively polished surround
lngs. On one occasion, when he had
accepted an invitation to large public
dinner at which many notables were to
be present, he sought Judge Bowen, an
official of distinction, who knew him
well and liked him.
Judge" =" said he, 81 understand that
you are to be present at the big feed this
evening""
Certainly, Mr.. Crockett. Pretty
much everybody will be at the dinner,
believe.
"We1, Judge" said Crockett, a little
shyly, II want to ask a favor of you.
Will you do me the honor to observe me
narrowly all through the repast?"
why, of course, if you wish it, Mr..
Crockett" said the Judge anticipating
some fresh oddity or uncouthness, ''but
what fOr?n
Never mind at present, Judge; III
let you know afterward," 4" said Crockett
And, by-the-by, give the wink to some
friends you can truSt-gentlemen of
eminence and distinction, like yourself,
you knOw-sO that they may observe me
likewise. But mind you, Judge, they
must be eminent men-men of bang-up
names. VIII you do all this for me,
Judge?''
The Judge renewed his promise with
much heartineSs- The dinner came off
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 disappOint-
ment, though the event was, perhaps,
none the less amusing. 1t soon became
evident that, instead of seeking to at
tract attention, he was earnestly en-
deavoring to avoid it. From the out
set he made superhuman efforts to at
tain the well-bred decorum that ruled
around him, and with very commend
able degree of success. He studied the
manners of his neighbors in disposing of
their yiands and wines with the keen-
ness of a trapper on an indiStinct trail
in the starlight, and initiated them
with the autOmatie-asSiduity of Chi
nese tailOr's apprentice. His chIldlike
painstaking was equally pathetic and
ludicrous. But, as has been said, he
achieved fair degree of success.
| Course succeeded course without eyol-
wing perceptible blunder. lie even
slipped his wine gently. instead of en-
| gulphing it thirstily. The temptations
of the dessert were successfully resisted.
The toaSts were drunk sparingly. AT
last, to the wonder of all and to the dis
| appointment of many. the dinner was al
an end without the notorious Mr.
Crockett's having betrayed a single cd,
dity Of vulgarism whatever, original o.
otherwise.
The next day Crockett again called o.
Judge Bowen in his office. with a mix
ture of hope, anxiety and suspense In hi
manner.
Judge" said lie, ''did you and YOU
friends observe me closely at the big din
ner as | requested?"
The Judge had OWNED the rough dia
mond's praisewOrthy aspirations, an,
fully sympathized with them.
Yes, Mr.. Crockett, we did," he re
| Piled, land, sir, We We're both aStonish
ed and ove1oyed. Mr.. Crockett mus
have been masquerading up to thi.
time we said to ourselves, 'for it !.
evident that he is, after all. fine gen
tleman, who now suddenly casts aside
the backwOOdS character he has thus fal
seen fit TO maintain
"Groat GOdi are You in earnest
Judge?" exclaimed Crockett, his breatl
almost taken away. did | really be.
have decent, theui''
''Deceatly, siry' reiterated the Judge.
''That doesn't express It, sir. You con-
Quoted yourself throughout with dig
nifty and polish as to the manner born. y
Crockett gave whOOp. Put that
down ia writing, Judge!' he exclaimed.
"Draw it up in reg'lar black and white,
as they do resolutions, sayin' lust how |
behaved at that big dinner. Then sign
it, and have those eminent friends of
Yours sign it, too. Iwant it as proof that
kin be a gentleman under pressure.
Judge-that amt always the unlocked
riproarer they've always credited me
with bein'. VIII you, Judge
i viii, and with the utmost pleasure,
Nh. Crockett" replied Judge Bowen.
with difficulty controlling himself de-
spite the drollerY af the situation. "CaH
yo-morrQw and | will have the dOcu-
.hent duly drawn up and signed"
Greatly elated, Crockett called the fol-
lowing day and got the coveted docu-
lient. Its contents were everything he
could desire, and appended to it We're a
dozen OF more signatures. For long
time afterward he was very fond of ex-
hibiting the paper, especially to ladies
At whose houses he imagined he rad
most glaringly misO0nducted himself.
lie also, Upon his return to Tennessee.
displayed it with pride to many of his
constituents, and the paper became
nown as ''the Hon. David Crockett s
credentials"