The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-07-10

front, and passing our hotel with
their bands playing and colors flying
each day brought the news of some
new triumph, and victory, so long
frowning on the Union arms, came
now, perchel on its banners; and
nearly every nightt''ere was a joyous
gathering at our hotel, and mutual
congratulations were the order of the
day. Mr.. Lincoln was happier than
| ever saw him, and wherever he
moved he was the circle of cordial
friends.
At last the great event happened
that we had all wished for, hoped for,
prayed for, during all the four long,
weary years
LEE SURRENDERED
at Appomattox Court house! and it
seemed as if the people were deIiri
Gus with joy. At our hotel there
was one round of congratulations and
rejoicings. Every night the parlors
would be thronged with an anxious,
eager, excited party, who would dis
cuss, drink and dance the night
through. Amid all these scenes
Booth moved-calm, stern, silent,
cold. His manner was utterly
changed, and instead of a ranting,
romantic boy he seemed composed
practical man. We all knew that
the triumph of the Federal army was
blasting of his most cherished
hopes, and none of US said anything
to him on the subject. And so the
fated days sped swiftly by, and while
nation was drunk with joy-while
the ringing Of the bells, the crack
ling of the bonfres, and the blaze of
martial music all united into Re
Deum in honor of victory and peace
this cold young man carried in his
breast a secret that would, if told,
make the world stare with horror.
In all this din one head only kept
cool and plotted dark deeds, while the
face bore calm, inscrutable look
that no search could read, no eve
could pierce. None of the misgiv-
ings of Cassius, nor the torluring
misdouhts and fears of the noble Bru-
tus, disturbed him. Instead, lie ar
ranged all the minute details Of the
horrible conspiracy that was to con-
vulse the country in throes of terror
with GOODNESS that was wonderful.
No dark mutterings and carnations
of the shrinking Macbeth, no re.
morse of the French Georges seemed
to disturb his serenity of mind. In
stead, he went on his resolved way,
cool, determined, and deadly.
So time passed until the sun rose
on the early Friday morning, April
II, 1865. John Wilkes came into
the parlor at noon and stayed there
only for few moments. He seemed
restless and excited, but not enough
so to attract any attention from US.
He left in tn hour and went down, as
he said, to witness the rehearsal of
the new play, sour American Cou-
SIM" Mrs. Hale and myself thought
of going
THAT NIGHT,
but he strongly advised us not, say
ing, / remember that it was Good
Friday and that few people wonld be
present, and the play would drag on
that account. After this we decided
to postpone our intention and 60 the
night after.
Dinner passed off pleasantly, and
we retired to our rooms for our post.
prandial nap, and did not assemble
together until the evening, when
about a half an hour before supper
we all met in the parlor. There we're
Senator Hale and his wife, I and
Bessie, and an English lady who was
staying at the hotel. A few mo-
ments after we were seated John
| Wilkes came in and greeted us all
with the utmost cordiality and the
same old graceful bow that he, and
only he, could make. He seemed to
be in good spirits, and laughed at
the machinery of the play. After a
little desultory conversation, he and
Bessie drew off together, and carried
on an earnest conversation in low
tones. recollect thinking what a
pretty picture the two made. The
room was brilliantly lighted in front
but leaving the lower portion of it in
the shanow. The two seemed to be
utterly unconscious that any one in
the world existed save themselves.
Bessie Hale reclined on huge vel
vet armchair, her black silk con.
| f,.on {ipr ~ n :,