Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-06-26

day passed toward the front, and, pas
sing our hotel with their banO playing
and colors flying, each day brought the
news of SOME new triumph, and vic
tory, so long frowning on the Union
arms, came now, perched on its BAN
ners; and nearly every night there 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 in 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 land it
seemed as if the people were delirious
with joy. At our hotel there was one
round of congratulations and rejoicings.
Every night the parlors would be
thronged with an anxious, eager, en-
cited party, who would discuss, 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 a composed,
practical man. We all knew that the
triumph of the federal army was
blasting of bis 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 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 TIE 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 a cold inscrutable
look that no search could read, no eve
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
GOODNESS that was wonderful No
dark muttcrings 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 80 to at
tract any attention from us. He le t 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,
l remembered, that it was good Friday,
and that few people would be present,
and the play would drag on that &C
count. After this we decided to post
pone our intention, and 20 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 little
desultoly conversation, he and Bessie
drew off together, and carried on an
earnest conversation in low tones. l
recollect thinking what 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-spell.
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 70
mantle maiden's ideal actually persona
fed. God knows what was passing in
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