“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.
“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?”
Braden looked at the two men. “Sure, Davy. I guess that things couldn’t be worse than in Washington.”
Chapter Eleven
Addie, Dylan, and Braden looked around the streets of Philadelphia. The sidewalks were crowded as people rushed about. Davy talked to the men from the Whig party as they led him to a theater.
“I believe you will enjoy this show, Congressman Crockett,” one of the men said.
His friend nodded. “Yes. This show is put on for you.”
Davy smiled. “I look forward to seeing it.”
Soon they stood in front of a theater. A long line of people was waiting to get inside.
The children looked at a poster hanging on the wall. Addie read the poster. “Nimrod Wildfire is the Lion of the West.” She looked at the picture painted on the poster. “That looks like you, Davy.”
Davy stared at the poster. “Yes it does.” He turned to the men who were watching him. “What is this show about?”
One of the men laughed. “Why, Congressman Crockett, it’s about you. Come on, let’s go inside.”
They walked into the theater and sat in a box next to the stage. Soon the curtain opened and a man in buckskins and a coonskin cap walked out on stage. He bowed toward Davy. Davy nodded back at him. The actor turned back to the audience.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Nimrod Wildfire. I am half horse, half alligator, and a little part of a snapping turtle. I eat lightning and blink thunder. I can run faster, jump higher, dive deeper and come up dryer than any man alive. I got the fastest horse, the prettiest wife, and the ugliest dog in the world. I welcome you here tonight to share my adventures in the wilds of the American wilderness. But, before we begin our journey, I want to introduce a very special guest tonight. We are honored to have with us the real life Lion of the West, The Honorable David Crockett from Tennessee.”
The crowd applauded, and Davy stood and waved to them. After a while the applause stopped and Davy motioned for the show to go on.
When the show was over, Davy and his friends walked outside. One of the men with them took Davy by the arm and led him down the street. “Congressman, we would like for you to come with us. Our party is having a dinner in your honor.”