Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-08-28
SAM HOUSTON.
An Account Of q Talk with
Him n Week Before
He Died.

An Account of q Talk with
Him n Week Before
He Died.
stood upon the upper verandah
in front of the old Fannin Ho use,
in the city of Houston, Texas. The
hour was noon. And / leaned for
ward over the balustrade, peered
through the trees at the group be-
lew, composed of soldiers off duty
aud civilians who wrote exempt
after ther names. 1t was in the
midst OF the war. The gallant Ma
gruder was quartered In the town,
and everything bore martial as
pect.
Seated alone upon an armed pen
itentiary or split-bottomed chair,
tilted back against one Of the old
trees, was a stalwart, elderly man,
a stranger, simply attired, evil
IDENTIFY out of health, and listening
with apparent interest to the ar
guments and conversations of all
around. The central figure was a
Confederate officer, "bedizzened"
with lace and buttons, sash and
sword. He was discussing the
war. disunion, the Confederacy.
"Gentlemen,n he exclaimed,
how l should like to meet that
traitor, that ---- Unionist,
who would sell his State for mess
of pottage-Sam Houston. the
arch traitor. I'd run this sword
drawing the weapon from its
scabbard) through his traitorous
-ody 7"
The split-bottomed chair came
down squarely on its four feet,and
/ felt my hair raise in ratio with
the towering form that unfolded
itself. presenting, even In its fee
bleness, as fine specimen of man.
hood as l ever beheld. Stepping
eagerly forward, with his eye sha-
downing the belaced pigmy, he
Numbered:
F" / can accommodate you, sir -
Here is the heart" striking his
bosom with his hand, "of Sam
Houston, at your service; and he
who says it is towards or trail
tors heart, lies in his teeth--lies,
sir, like lousy dog that he Is ~
The presence of the man was SO
great that / do not believe one Of
the eye witnesses could tell upon
oath whatever became of the pig
my. When they recovered their
senses he was g0ne--that was all
we knew, anu that was enough.
Three months later, at noted
watering place near the central
part of the State, wearied with the
gayeties of the ballroom, strayed
into one Of the spacious parlors.
The room was deserted, but upon
a sofa an emaciated invalid was
sleeping The fan had fallen from
his hand to the floor, and the cool
Gulf breeze, which Is felt hundreds
of miles inland, lifted the lace cur
tains and dallied with the sick
mans hair. Softly seating myself
beside him, l raised the fan gently
and slowly. He opened his eyes.
'Ah, lady, you are very kind, but
/ am not asleep. only dreaming
waking dreams. General Hous-
ton, do you feel any better this
evening"? i inquired.
Easier, lady, thank you, but
no better-I shall never be batter,
but the music calls you; do not
waste your moments of happiness
In condoling with an old man like
me-"
General, If you will permit me,
/ had rather remain here. I'm
sure you've often experienced the
electricity Of hearts true sympa-
thy and deep feeling In moments
of sadness and pain, even though
the face be wreathed in sunny
smiles.
Eyes" he said, raising himself
upon his elbow, while Il spark of
the old fire flashed in his eyes,
Eyes, but there is another kind of
electricity that have experienced
lady; It is that of doubt and cold
ness and change in those who
ought to be my friends, because
deplore this fratricidal war, the
ruin of my country; because see
with prophetic eye the fearful con-
sequences to my beloved State;
they call me Unionist, and sneer
at my disloyalty. Base ingrati-
tude! Has my life then been
spent in vain? This Is the iron
that enters Houston's soul this is
he wound that kills"
But, General, said /, this is only
momentary; history will be faith
full to you. You said but now that
you were dreamingwaking dreams
tell me OF whom.
"Oh, my friends, lady, who are
gone; my old companions in arms;