David Crockett: His Life and AdventuresAbbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot)
History
David Crockett: His Life and Adventures
Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot)
Crockett, Davy, 1786-1836
"This is Colonel Crockett's residence, I presume," said the stranger.
"Yes," was the reply, with a smile as of welcome.
"Have I the pleasure of seeing that gentleman before me?" the stranger
added.
"If it be a pleasure," was the courtly reply, "you have, sir."
"Well, Colonel," responded the stranger, "I have ridden much out of my
way to spend a day or two with you, and take a hunt."
"Get down, sir," said the Colonel, cordially. "I am delighted to see
you. I like to see strangers. And the only care I have is that I cannot
accommodate them as well as I could wish. I have no corn, but my little
boy will take your horse over to my son-in-law's. He is a good fellow,
and will take care of him."
Leading the stranger into his cabin, Crockett very courteously
introduced him to his brother, his wife, and his daughters. He then
added:
"You see we are mighty rough here. I am afraid you will think it hard
times. But we have to do the best we can. I started mighty poor, and
have been rooting 'long ever since. But I hate apologies. What I live
upon always, I think a friend can for a day or two. I have but little,
but that little is as free as the water that runs. So make yourself at
home."
Mrs. Crockett was an intelligent and capable woman for one in her
station in life. The cabin was clean and orderly, and presented a
general aspect of comfort. Many trophies of the chase were in the
house, and spread around the yard. Several dogs, looking like war-worn
veterans, were sunning themselves in various parts of the premises.
All the family were neatly dressed in home-made garments. Mrs. Crockett
was a grave, dignified woman, very courteous to her guests. The
daughters were remarkably pretty, but very diffident. Though entirely
uneducated, they could converse very easily, seeming to inherit their
father's fluency of utterance. They were active and efficient in aiding
their mother in her household work. Colonel Crockett, with much
apparent pleasure, conducted his guest over the small patch of ground
he had grubbed and was cultivating. He exhibited his growing peas and
pumpkins, and his little field of corn, with as much apparent pleasure
as an Illinois farmer would now point out his hundreds of acres of
waving grain. The hunter seemed surprisingly well informed. As we have
mentioned, nature had endowed him with unusual strength of mind, and
with a memory which was almost miraculous. He never forgot anything he
had heard. His electioneering tours had been to him very valuable
schools of education. Carefully he listened to all the speeches and the
conversation of the intelligent men he met with.
John Quincy Adams was then in the Presidential chair. It was the year
1827. Nearly all Crockett's constituents were strong Jackson-men.
Crockett, who afterward opposed Jackson, subsequently said, speaking of
his views at that time:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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