Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-06-26

silent cold. His manner was utterly
romantic boy, he seemed composed,
triumph Of the federal army was q
| blasting of his most cherished hopes,
and none of us said any thing to him
on the subject. And SO the fated days
sped swiftly by; and while q nation
was drunk with joy-while the ringing
of the bells, the cracking of the bon
fires, and the blaze of martial music all
united into a 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 u cold iuscrutable
look that no search could read, no eye
could pierce. None of the misgivings
Of Cassius, noble Brutus, disturbed
him. Instead, he arranged all the
minute details of the horrible con-
spiracy that was to convulse the
country in throes of terror with a
GOODNESS that was wonderful. No
dark mutterings and lamentations of
the shrinking Macbeth, no remorse of
the French Georges, seemed to disturb
his serenity of mind. Instead, he went
on his resolved way-cool, determined
and deadly.
$50 time passed until the sun rose
on that fatal Friday morning, April II,
1865. John Wilkes came into the par
lor at noon, and stayed there only for a
few moments. He seemed restless
and excited, but not enough SO to at
tract any attention from us. He lei in
an hour, and went down, as he said, to
witness the rehearsal of the new play,
Our American Cousin Mrs. Hale
and myself thought of going
THAT NIGHT,
but he strongly advised us not, saying,
| remembered, that it was good Friday,
and that few people would be present,
and the play would drag on that ac-
count. After this we decided to post
pone our intention, and go the night
after
"Dinner passed off pleasantly, and
we retired to our rooms for our post
prandial nap, and did not reassemble
together until the evening, when about
a half an hour before supper we all met
in the parlor. There were Senator
Hale and his wife, [ and Bessie, and an
English lady who was staying at the
hotel. A few moments after we were
seated John Wilkes came in and greet
ed us all with the utmost cordially 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
desultOly 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 shadow. The two
seemed to be utterly unconscious that
any one in the world existed save them
selves. Bessie Hale reclined on huge
velvet armchair, her black silk con-
trasting and well set off by the red vel
vet background. Her eyes were lu-
minous, and shone like stars, as she
listened with her soul in her face to
Booth, who sat beside and above her.
He seemed to be inspired, and the mu-
steal murmur Of his voice could be
heard, but not his words He was evil
IDENTIFY imprisoned to the highest de-
gree, and Bessie sat like the charmed
Princess in the Arabian Nights-spel-
bound. | do not think that any woman
on earth could listen to Booth unmoved
when he chose to exert himself His
beautiful language, tender tones, per-
sonal beauty, rich voice. and magnetic
presence, all combined, made him a TO-
mantle maiden's ideal actually persona
fed. God knows what was passing in
his heart as he sat there with the only
woman he ever loved, and only He who
| knoweth all things could read the
stormy workings Of the heart thai was
torn with the battle of contending pas
siOns. No wonder the dark ewes gleam-
ed with an unnatural lustre and soften
ed with an unutterable longing as he
gazeu his last on the fair woman beside
| him. And she looked up at him as
only a wholly loving woman looks upon
| her hearts king 4s1~ -t,' sE.. p :. a
~ AT last the whole party rose to go
to supper, and the two We're brought
back to themselves again They fol-
lowed us slowly, and just as l left the
parlor [ heard Booth say, All Bessie.
Bessie! can [ trust you utterly % and
her reply came, clear, but with world
of Melancholy in the tones: ,nsa ...leg
49,, .'s Even as Ruth said, SO say Even
unto death!" Dn@ s.H@75@' = .. 'is'..'e
ssWe took our seats at the table
small round one. Booth and Bessie sat
together, then the English lady, I next
I to her, and the Senator and his wife
completed the group. The supper pass
ed . off pleasantly enough; [ noticed
nothing whatever excited in Booths
manner; he was unusually entertain
ing, and MS laugh rang out as loud and
clear as a. man whose mind and con-
science were at perfect ease. 1t was
the last meal he was to take on earth,
and yet he was careless and at rest.
! At last Booth arose from the table,
and drawing out his watch said: g" It is
after s o'clock; [ must go'-and then
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