Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-07-29
SAN HousToN AM RoorH.
How the Tragedian Became Response
bic for the Conquest of Mexico.

HOW the Tragedian Became Response
bic for the Conquest of Mexico.
Gen. Sam Houston, who had Just re-
turned from his visit to Texas. saws Ben:
Perley PoOre, was walking up Pennsylya-
MIA avenue one evening in the winter Of
1884, when he met with his old friend
Booth, the tragedian. After mutual ex-
CARNATIONS Of surprise and salutation the
two ascertained that they were both
rooming at Brownies Indian Queen Hotel
and going there they went to Booths
room. Sitting down they recounted the
adventures Of their past lives. and as
they lndustriously circulated the bottle
many loud shout echoed through the
hall and startled the watchmen in the
street as they went their silent rounds.
As the night wore on their excitement in
creased until, at the close of 6 thrilling
story relating to his strange career. HOus-
ton exclaimed:
Snow, Booth, let's have a speech to
liberty; one Of those apOstrophes to old
Roman freedom with which you startle
audiences"
Had Booth been inclined to refuse he
knew that his friend, when the mood was
on him, would not be denied any request,
however absurd or difficult of perform
ance. But the tragedian had himself
entered into the spirit of his companion,
and, nothing 10th, he rehearsed with
magic power many Of those electric pas
sages IN defense of liberty with which the
English drama abOunds. Houston, whose
memory as well as his habits partOok of
the Indian character. caught up the words,
and with equal force, clearness and
accuracy went through each speech
in regular succession. Thus they
proceeded for time, and then again
sat down to renew their rotations and
the story of their personal adventure
Booth drank and listened while the other
told or his own elevation in his native
State, of his disgust at civic honors, of
his home IN the distant forest, of the I'M
controlled freedom of the redmen. of their
stole fOrtitude and matchless heroism
Warmed by the recollection of those thrill
ling scenes, he sprang at last to his feet,
and, in the tone of one amid the battles
DIN, nghting against the most fearful
odds, exclaimed, ''Now, Booth, once more
for liberty ~ The tragedian dared not dis
obey. He ran through, with all his usual
energy, the tale of Mexican thraldOm, of
the Spanish conquest of that land,
the dangers incurred by that army,
their commanders eXhOrtatiOn before
the battle and the stubborn bravery
of the native chiefs. Before him stood
at that lone hour listening with an in
shOne through his eyes, lighted his face,
strained every muscle and started the
sweat in great drops from his lofty brow,
one who had all the fiery spirit of a Cor
tez and ambition of a PizarrO. Quick as
thought he took up the tale and repeated
the words just uttered by Booth, with the
most critical precision of tone and man.
ner. AS he became excited in the recita-
ton his spirit seemed to take fire, and
with an air so determined, so frightful,
that it seemed the voice of one inspired,
he exclaimed at the close Of a mastery
eXtemporaneOus rhapsody:
Yes! yes! am made to revel yet in
the halls of the MOntezumas."
"Coming events cast their shadows be-
FORE" and although Houston did not revel
in the halls of the Montezumas, his de-
termination and energy of character con-
quered the occupant of these halls and
wrested from Mexico her fairest State.