Davy Crockett

by Robert E. Hollmann

  Davy sat in silence. The children watched him as he thought about the man’s request.

  “The United States Congress. That is quite a step up. I don’t know if enough folks know me to get elected to that position.”

  The men smiled. “Don’t worry, Davy. Lots of folks know who you are. You’d be surprised how popular you are in this state. And you know Andrew Jackson, the President. You were in the Indian wars with him. That would be a big help in getting laws passed to help our area.”

  The children saw a smile slowly cross Davy’s face.

  “I believe that you are right. I think I will have a go at this Congress business. When do we start?”

  The men all smiled and slapped Davy on the back. “We’ll get started right away. There is a debate tomorrow. Your opponent has heard that we wanted you to run. He is writing a speech just to make fun of you.”

  Davy looked at the children. “That so? Well, we might have some fun with him ourselves.”

  The next day, a large crowd had gathered to hear the candidates speak. Davy’s opponent was a wealthy landowner from the eastern part of the state. He spoke first.

  “My fellow Tennesseans. You have the opportunity to select a man to represent you in Congress who can do great things for this state and for you. I know many influential men who could use their influence, at my request, to help us move forward.” His speech was interrupted by a flock of guinea hens that flew in front of him, making a loud noise. When the guinea hens had left, he continued. “My opponent cannot offer you this. He is nothing but a ‘gentleman’ from the cane. We all know what these canebrake folks are like. They do not have the intelligence, the education, or the ability to lead us where we need to go. That’s why I am asking you to vote for me for Congress. Together we can move this state forward to a new era of great growth and wealth. Thank you.”

  He bowed to Davy as he sat down. Davy sat looking at the crowd for several moments. Then he rose and slowly walked to the center of the stage. He smiled out at the crowd.

  “Well, after listening to my opponent, I guess I’m just wasting my time and yours by being here. Yes, I am from the canebrake. But so are most of you. I found that there are some nice, hard-working folks living in the canebrake. People who are not afraid to get their hands dirty doing an honest day’s work. People who are willing to help out a neighbor when he needs it. Shoot, I guess I don’t know any better than to be proud that I’m from the canebrake. I know this: I don’t know many rich folks like this fellow here does, but I know many of you, and if you elect me then I promise you I will do all I can to see that you get what you need. When that flock of guinea hens interrupted my opponent, I was trying to make out what they were saying. I finally figured it out. They were saying ‘Crockett! Crockett! Crockett!’ I would greatly appreciate your vote.”

  The crowd cheered and laughed as Davy sat down. The man who asked him to run for Congress leaned over and whispered in his ear.

  “You better get ready to move to Washington, Congressman Crockett.”

  Chapter Eight

  Davy looked around the small room where he would be staying in Washington. He had won the election and had come to the nation’s capital to begin his career as a congressman from Tennessee. The children watched him as he unpacked his few belongings.

  “Well, Davy,” Braden said. “How do you feel now that you’re a member of Congress?”

  Davy sat down on the bed. “I guess I don’t feel much different. I feel more responsibility for the folks back home. I need to make sure I represent them well. But you know, I have always lived by the motto, ‘Be always sure you are right, then go ahead.’ I think if I live up to that, then everything will be all right.”

  Addie looked out the window. “Washington sure is a busy place. People are everywhere.”

  Dylan stood by her side. “Yes. They look like a bunch of ants, scurrying every which way. It sure is different from the forests of Tennessee.”

  Davy nodded his head. “Sure is. I guess it will take some getting used to.”

  Someone knocked at the door, and Davy opened it. A small man in a fancy suit was standing at the door.

  “Congressman Crockett? I am Silas Cooper. I am a secretary for President Jackson. He requests that you stop by for a visit today. Would three o’clock be all right?”

  Davy looked at the small man standing there. “President Jackson wants to see me? Well then, I suppose I should go meet the President. Mr. Cooper, tell President Jackson that I would be honored to meet with him at three o’clock.”

  Silas Cooper bowed and backed out of the door. “I shall, Congressman Crockett.” He turned and walked down the hall.

  Davy shut the door and walked back into the room. “I wonder what he wants,” he said. “I haven’t seen General…I mean, President Jackson, since the Indian wars.”

  “Maybe he just wants to talk about old times,” Braden said.

  Davy nodded. “Could be. I don’t remember him as being someone who just sits down and visits without wanting something. I guess we will find out shortly.”

  At three o’clock, Silas Cooper led Davy into a large office. The three children followed. President Jackson was sitting behind a large desk signing some papers. He looked up as Davy walked in. The President smiled and rose from his chair. He walked around the desk and shook Davy’s hand.

  “It’s good to see you again, Congressman Crockett.”

  “It’s good to see you too, Mr. President.”

  President Jackson motioned to a chair. “Have a seat, Davy. I think I will call you Davy instead of Congressman Crockett, if you don’t mind.”

  Davy sat in the chair. “I don’t mind at all, Mr. President.”

  President Jackson sat down behind his desk and lit a cigar. He offered one to Davy, but he declined.

  “Now, Davy. You are probably wondering why I asked to meet with you.”

  “The thought had crossed my mind,” Davy said.

  The President blew a cloud of smoke toward the ceiling. “Davy, this term of Congress is going to be very important for our country. Some important bills are going to be introduced. I am hoping that I can count on your support for my programs in the coming session.”

  Davy thought for a minute before he spoke. “Mr. President, I sure hope we can work together in this Congress. But I was elected by the voters of my district in Tennessee to represent them in Congress. I have to vote for what’s best for them.”

  “Certainly, Davy. I understand that. But I think you will see that my programs are what is best for the people back home. Don’t forget, I’m from Tennessee too. There are sure some good folks back there. I look forward to the day that I can move back home and be with them again.”

  “I feel the same way, Mr. President.”

  President Jackson rose and walked over to Davy. “Thank you for stopping by. I know you have many things to do. We will talk again.”

  Davy stood up. “It was nice to see you again, Mr. President. I look forward to our next visit.”

  Davy walked out of the room. The children followed him. President Jackson watched him go, then turned to Silas Cooper, who was standing next to him. “Well, Silas. I’m afraid we are dealing with an honest man. I don’t think that Congressman Crockett will blindly follow where I want to lead him. We will need to keep an eye on him.”

  Out in the hall, Addie and the others walked with Davy. “Davy, what did you think of the President?” she asked.

  Davy took a deep breath. “I am afraid that the President and I are going to have some disagreements about what’s best for the people of Tennessee. I hope not. But if it comes to that, I will have to make sure I am right, then go ahead.”

  Chapter Nine

  Addie, Dylan, and Braden sat in the gallery and watched as Davy walked out onto the floor of the Congress. Several members of Congress walked over and shook his hand. Davy was shown to his desk and took a seat. Soon the Speaker of the House pounded his gavel and called the meeting to order.
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  “Gentlemen of the Congress of the United States,” he said. “We have some new members with us today. At this time I am going to call on each one to introduce himself and tell us something about him.”

  The speaker called out the names of several men. Each would rise when his name was called and then sit down to polite applause. Finally the Speaker called out Davy’s name. Davy rose from his seat. He looked uncomfortable in his new suit with the starched white collar. He looked around the room, then began to speak.

  “Howdy. My name is David Crockett. I am from Tennessee. I am not used to being in a building this nice. I am more comfortable being in the woods. There all you have to watch out for is bears and Indians. Looking around here, I’m not too sure what I should watch out for.”

  The members laughed at Davy’s joke. He smiled then continued.

  “When I was elected to this office, I promised the folks back home that I would represent them the best I could in this Congress. I mean to do that. I feel that I have been given a high honor by being elected to this Congress. I want to make the voters back home glad they elected me.” Davy sat down as the other members of Congress applauded.

  When all the new members of Congress had been introduced, the day’s business began. The children were soon bored and walked outside. They walked around the building watching the people pass by. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry. Finally the friends sat in the shade of a tree and waited for Davy to come out of the building.

  “We are going to have the best paper in the class,” Dylan said.

  “We sure are,” Braden agreed. “I can’t wait to start writing it.”

  Addie looked up at a bird sitting on a branch of the tree. “We still have to get more information. Then we have to figure out how to get back home. I don’t really know where you find that light we walked through to get here.”

  Dylan stretched out on the grass. “Oh, I imagine that Davy will show us how to get home.”

  “Sure,” Braden agreed. “I am not worried as long as Davy is around.”

  Soon the doors to the building opened and Davy walked out. The children noticed that he had a worried look on his face.

  “What’s wrong, Davy?” Addie asked.

  Davy sat down next to the three children.

  “I am not sure I like the way that Congress works.”

  “What do you mean, Davy?” asked Braden.

  Davy took a deep breath and leaned against the tree. “It seems to me that those men in there are not interested in what is best for the folks that elected them. They are more interested in what is good for them. I don’t think I can work with people like that. I think the folks that elected me are who I should look after. If I can’t do what is best for them, I need to go back to the forests and let somebody else take this job.”

  “What do those men want, Davy?” Braden asked.

  “There are some projects that will put some money in the pockets of the men backing them. The thing is, they will raise the taxes of the folks in Tennessee, and they won’t get any benefit from the project. They are asking me to support their plan. I don’t think I can do it.”

  “What happens if you don’t support them, Davy?” asked Dylan.

  “Then they will work to see I don’t get reelected. It seems the President is in favor of the project. So if I don’t support it, I will be fighting him.”

  Addie smiled at Davy. “Well, you know what you say. ‘Be always sure you’re right, then go ahead.’ If you are sure you’re right not to support the President, then go ahead and not support him.”

  Davy stood up and brushed the dirt from his clothes. “Thanks. I think you’re right. I got to live to make David Crockett happy when he looks in the mirror. If somebody else is not happy, then I guess I can’t worry about them. Come on. Let’s get something to eat. I’m hungry enough to eat a fair-sized skunk.”

  Chapter Ten

  The months passed by and Davy became a well-known member of Congress. The other members of Congress respected him for his honesty. He was friendly, and everyone was glad to see him when he arrived at the Capitol every day. Addie, Dylan, and Braden enjoyed listening to him when he spoke before the other members of Congress. Soon he was being asked to parties and other social gatherings. He was always welcome, but Davy felt uncomfortable at these events. He said he felt more at home in the forest.

  One day while Davy and the children were in his room, they heard a knock on the door. Davy opened the door and saw Silas Cooper standing there.

  “Good afternoon, Congressman Crockett,” Silas said.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Cooper. What brings you out on such a hot day?”

  “The President would like to meet with you this afternoon at two o’clock. If you can make it.”

  Davy stood in silence for a while. “What does the President want to talk to me about?”

  “I don’t know, sir. I was just told to bring this message to you.”

  Davy looked back at the children, who were watching him. “Tell the President that I will be happy to meet with him.”

  Silas Cooper bowed and walked away. Davy walked over and sat in a chair.

  “I have a bad feeling about this meeting. The President has not even said hello since our first visit. He is up to something and wants me to help him.”

  “Well, Davy,” Addie said. “You can always tell him no.”

  Davy shook his head. “It is not always easy to tell the President of the United States no.” He looked at his watch. “I guess I better get ready. A person should look nice when he goes to visit the President.”

  Shortly before two o’clock, Silas Cooper opened the door and Davy walked into the President’s office. President Jackson looked up from the paper he was reading. When he saw Davy, he rose from his chair and walked over to him. He shook Davy’s hand.

  “Congressman Crockett. Nice of you to come. Please have a seat. Would you like something to drink?”

  “No, thank you, Mr. President.”

  President Jackson sat down in a chair facing Davy. “Let’s cut out the Mr. Presidents and Congressman Crocketts. We’ve known each other a long time. Fought together. It should be Andy and Davy.”

  Davy looked at President Jackson. “Whatever you say, Mr.…Andy.”

  The President leaned forward in his chair. “Davy, you have done well since you have been in Congress. I have watched you with interest. You are the kind of man I want working with me.”

  “Thank you, Mr. President.”

  “Now, Davy. There is a bill going before Congress soon. This bill is very important to me. I want you to help me get the bill passed.”

  Davy shifted in his chair. “I don’t know how much help I can be, Andy. What kind of bill is it?”

  President Jackson rose from his chair and walked over to the window. He gazed out at the people walking below.

  “Davy, all those people walking on the street down there. They’re voters. And all those folks moving out to the west, they vote too.”

  “Yes they do, Andy.”

  “These people moving west are looking for land. A place to start a new life.”

  “There’s plenty of land out there, Andy.”

  President Jackson turned to face Davy. “Yes there is, Davy. But the problem is that the land the settlers want is already taken. It seems that some Indian tribes have been living there. This is good land. We can move the Indians to other land. Land that the settlers don’t want. What do you say, Davy? Can I count on you?”

  Davy stood up. “Mr. President, didn’t we make a treaty with these Indians telling them they could have this land?”

  President Jackson turned back to the window. “Yes. A long time ago.”

  “Far as I know, the Indians have kept their part of the treaty. I think we should keep our part. I promised some of the Indians that I would do what I could to see they did not lose their land. I have tried to keep my promise. It would not be right to move these people from their homes so that someone else can move
in. There is plenty of land out there. Let the settlers move to that land.”

  “Congressman Crockett. You don’t seem to understand. We need to let these settlers have this land. The Indians can live anywhere.”

  “I think I do understand, Mr. President. I wonder if you would be for moving these Indians off the land if they could vote.”

  The President turned to Davy. His face was red with anger. “You need to understand this. If you don’t work with me, it could be very hard for you to be reelected.”

  Davy picked up his hat. “I know one thing, Mr. President. When I look in the mirror every morning when I shave, I need to like the fellow who is looking back at me. I don’t think I would like the man very much who ran the Indians off their land for no reason.”

  “Think about it, Congressman Crockett. Think very hard about it. Good day.”

  “Good day, Mr. President.”

  Davy turned and walked out of the room. The children ran after him. When they were outside, Dylan looked at Davy.

  “What are you going to do, Davy? If you don’t do what the President wants, he could see that you are defeated in the next election.”

  Davy kept walking. “There are some things more important than being reelected. I hope I never get to the point that I will throw away all I believe in to get someone’s vote. Well, here we are. Home again.”

  They walked up the stairs to Davy’s room. Two men were waiting outside the room. They smiled when they saw Davy walk up.

  One of them walked over and shook Davy’s hand. “Congressman Crockett. Good to see you. We are members of the Whig Party. We would like to invite you to come to Philadelphia and speak to our group.”

  Davy looked at the two men. “What do you want me to speak about?”

  “Why, just tell us your story. We hear you are a most interesting fellow. There are many people in Philadelphia who want a chance to meet you and shake your hand. Will you come?”

  Davy looked at the children. “Why, I would be most honored.” He turned to his three friends. “Well, kids. What do you say we go see what things are like in Philadelphia?”