This was talked of up and down the town, as a proof that I felt a proper responsibility; and Simon Sly said the comparison was capital. I thought so too. Everybody wished me joy of my election, and seemed to expect great things; which I did not fail to lay to heart. So having the eyes of the whole community upon me, I saw that nothing would satisfy them, if I didn’t do something for the credit of the town. Squire Dobbs, the chairman of our select men, preached me a long lecture on responsibility:
“Lieutenant Turniptop,” says he, “I hope you’ll keep up the reputation of Squashborough.”
“I hope I shall, Squire,” says I, for I felt my dignity rising.
“It’s a highly responsible office, this going to the Gineral Court,” says he.
“I’m altogether aware of that,” says I, looking serious. “I’m aware of the totally and officially.”
“I’m glad you feel responsible,” says he.
“I’m bold to say, that I _do_ feel the responsibility,” says I; “and I feel more and more responsible, the more I think of it.”
“Squashborough,” says the Squire, “has always been a credit to the commonwealth.”
“And a credit to the Gineral Court,” says he.
“I hope you’ll let ’em know what’s what,” says he.
“But,” says the Squire, “a representative can’t do his duty to his constituents, without knowing the Constitution. It’s my opinion that you ought not to vote for the dog-tax.”
“That’s a matter that calls for due deliberation,” says I. So I went home and began to prepare for my legislative duties.
I studied the statute on cart-wheels, and the act in addition to an act entitled an act.
People may sit at home in their chimney-corners, and imagine it is an easy thing to be a representative; but this is a very great mistake. For three weeks I felt like a toad under a harrow, such a weight of responsibility as I felt on thinking of my duty to my constituents. But when I came to think how much I was expected to do for the credit of the town, it was overwhelming. All the representatives of our part of the country had done great things for their constituents, and I was determined not to do less. I resolved, therefore, on the very first consideration, to stick to the following scheme:
To make a motion for a bank in Squashborough.