Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-14
THE STORY OF CHAPTER vorRrrrn
Davy Crockett ABeor Hunter Goes to Congress.
ByEN

1t was fine afternoon the May following the
bear hunt. The sun Shone down the little town OF
log store.
Davy Crockett looked at the pile of supplies
which lay on the counter before him. Then he
glanced at the paper in his hand.
That's all, reckon, Len" " he said to the store
keeper. Except pokeful of sugar-candy for the
young unS and two yards of that red ribbon for my
wife I'll load this stuff on the horses while you
measure it out"
He swung big sack of flour to his back. And
with another sack full OF sugar under one arm, he
started to go outside. Lem watched him duck his
head as he went through the low door. And he
watched him duck it again when he came back Is
minutes later.
This time Davy Crockett was not alone He did
not 60 to Jackson often, but he knew many people
there And whenever he was in town, men gathered
around him to talk and to listen to his funny stories
Now four men pushed their way into the store be-
hind him.
eve don't aim to buy anything Lem" an
nounced big man named Pete Brown. "Davy says
he's brought in few more bearskins, and we just
want to get look at them"
There they be-" Lem said, pointing to the big
pile of skins which Davy Crockett had stacked in
one corner of the store.
Pete stared at the skins, and his eyes opened
wide. Redheaded Jack Tench whistled softly in
wonder
Where in blue blazes did you get all them?"
Jake asked, turning to Davy Crockett "How many
bears did you kill this year, anyway"
Crockett grinned. 81 reckon it was about 105 -
he replied That's counting an old grandpappy
bear who tried to hug me to death had to kill him
with my knife"
hand with of these things will you? he asked.
My old mothers come a-visiting all the way from
Holston River So want to get back home tornor-
row. if can aim to see my boys afore leave town,
too"
He started out with the nails. The men all
turned in to help. And in short time they were
watching Davy Crockett ride down the dusty road,
leading his heavily loaded pack horses.
had oct inoe RI fol
Pete remarked, sitting down on bench in front of
the store "That Crockett's got some fine yarns to
tell. And reckon he's the greatest hunter in the
He fights as good as he hunts, too" Jake
Tench declared. II knew him in the Creek War. He
amt afeard of anything that breathes. And he'd
give you the last bullet in his pouch if you needed
Limpy Collins leaned up against hitching post
to rest his bad leg II hear Colonel Crockett did right
well in the legislature, he drawled stood up like
a tiger against laws he didn't think was right
Nobody could ever make Davy vote for any
thing wrong" Jake Tench broke in. "Hes as honest
as the SUM- Say, he'd be good man to send to Con-
gress as Representative from these parts"
Young Larry Wilson shook his head We've two
men in this district already who are running for
Congress" he said. erich with lots of schooling.
Crockett could never get enough votes to lick either
of them"
Jake shrugged his shoulders. Limpy began to
talk about hunting. And nothing more was said at
that time about Crockett'S becoming a Congress-
man. But many people were thinking about it. And
at last, Davy himself decided that he would run for
the office of Representative of the Western District
of Tennessee.
He was too busy looking after his family to
spend much time in trying to get votes or IN speech
making. But when he did talk, he said sensible
things in such funny way that people laughed and
cheered.
Poor settlers liked him because he had been a
poor settler himself Farmers asked him what to do
about their crops Hunters and tTappers said he was
the best man of them all He had a host of friends
And on election day there were more votes for Davy
Crockett than for either of the other candidates in
the Western District
So it was that on cold day in December Con-
gresham Crockett prepared to start for Washing
ton, to help make the laws for the United States A
friend had lent him enough money to buy city
clothes when he reached Nashville And to pay for
his long journey by stage from there to the Capital
BY o'clock in the morning, Crocketts saddle
bags were packed and he ready to leave. He
Rugged each one of his little girls He slapped Bob
on the shoulder. And he stopped to kiss his wife.
"I'll write to John at Jackson as soon as can
and send him letter to bring to you" he promised
"Take good care of yourself, now while I'm gone"
Mrs Crockett nodded Then she stepped back
and eyed her husband from head to foot He looked
SO strong and handsome in his new hunting shirt
an red-fringed trousers that she smiled at him
proudly. Then she handed him his coonskn cap.
''You do as good job in Congress- now as you
do when you hunt BEAR, she told him.
II sure will try" Crockett said, with grin.
- -Rv EronL Ra-