Duty by Alistair Cook

May 19th, 1780 has gone down in Connecticut history as the famous dark day. The sky was overcast at noon and by mid-afternoon had blacked over so densely, so ominously, that in that religious age, men were certain the day of judgement was at hand. The Connecticut House of Representatives was in session and as some men fell on their knees and others clamoured for an immediate adjournment, the speaker of the house got to his feet. He was a certain Colonel Davenport. He said these words. "The Day of Judgement is either approaching or it is not. If it is, I prefer to be found doing my duty. If it is not there is no cause for adjournment. I wish therefore that candles may be brought."