Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-10-14
Il am seated on my throne!

As proud one. as yon distant nioun!pin,
Where, The sun makes his last siandEr
Come, my dear fellow, let's GO; we,lls
have glass Of brandy and a supper, and
all that. Come, please come
Booth descended gracefully from lils
yellow pine throne, and kissing the tips
of his fingers, replied, with q smile, q at
tend you with all becoming G a'c. Lead
N my lord Of Essex. To the ,ower--io
the tower
After little persuasion, Ward led the
lragedian to the theatre, got him dressed,
the curtain rose, and the play went on
Just as the second act was about to COM
mence, messenger covered with dust
rushed behind the stage and before he
could be stopped, was in earnest CONVEX
sation with the tragedian.
'Whal? said Booth as he pressed his
long fingers on his broad white temples,
as though he tried TO clutch the brain be-
meath, dead, say you! My poor little
chi'd-my loved, my beautiful onelj And
then seeing the curtain rise, he rushed on,
comment g,
'She has health to progress far as Cher:soy
Though not to bear the sight of me-
The beautiful scene between Ann md
GIoster was never better played. The
actor, ''the MODEST Of them all when he
chose 10 be, gave the words of the tnrd
with thrilling effect; but there was n
strange calmness about his manner that
told his mind was not upon The character.
Sill the multitude apPlauded until the old
roof rang again, and thpse behind tho
scene stood breathless with eager delight
The third act came on; but Booth was no.
where TO be found!
II was bitter and cold night, and the
farmer as he drove his wagon TO market,
was startled from his reyerie, rs he saw a
horseman wrapped in n large cloak,
which as it opened disclosed a glittering
dress beneath, ride rapidly past him. IL
was Booth in his Richard costume! Mad
ness had seized him, ard regardless fev.
cry thing, at Inc still hour of Midnight
he was going TO pay a visit 10 his dead
child. Drawing hia flashing sword, and
throwing his jewelled cap from his head,
he dashed his horses fanls with the tarc
weapon until the animal snorted in pain.
The tall dark trees on each Of him touch
ed his heated brow with their siverirosted
branches, and thinking they were men
sent in pursuit, the mad actor cut at Them
with his sworl, and cursed them IS ha
few rapidly By.
| At last, ofer gallant ride of two
hours, the h,rseman came in sight of n
country grave yard, and us he saw the
white tops of the monuments pecping
through the dark foliage, like snowy crests
upon the bosom Of the black LiIlow, he
raised shout wild enough TO have scared
the ghosts from their still graves. He
4ismounted, and away sped the riderless
horse over hill and dale. 1t was the work
of moment, land the insane are cunning
beyond all imagining,) TO wrench the
wooden door from the vault containing the
nndv Of his child. He seized the tiny
coffin in his arms, with the strong arm Of n
desperate man he tore open ihs lid, and in
moment more the cold blue lips Of the
dead child were glued 10 the mad actors.
The next morning some member of the
tragedan's family heard wild strain Of
laughter that seemed TO proceed from his
sleeping room. The door was forced
open, and Booth was discovered lying on
his led, gbbering in idiotic madness, and
caressing The corps Of his little one!