The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1884-08-02
SAM HOUSTON AND BOOTH.

How the Tragedian Became Respon-
sibIe for the Conquest of Mexico.
Gen. Sam Houston, who had just re-
turned from his visit to Texas, says Ben.
Perley Poore, was walking up Pennsyl-
vania 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 Browns Indian Queen Hotel,
and going there, they went to Booths
room. Sitting down, they recounted the
adventures of their past lives, and as
they industriously circulated the bottle
many loud shout echoed through the
hall and startled the watchmen in the
street as they went their silent ronnds.
As the night wore on their excitement
increased until, at the close of a thrilling
story relating to his strange career, Hous-
ton exclaimed
" Now, 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 re-
quest, however absurd or difficult of per-
formance But the tragedian had HIM
self entered into the spirit Of his compan-
ion, and, nothing 10th, he rehearsed with
magic power many of those electric pas
sages in defence of liberty with which
the English drama abounds. Houston,
whose memory as well as his habits par
took of the Indian character, caught up
the words, and with equal force, clear
ness 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
of his own elevation in his native state,
of his disgust at civic honors, of his home
in the distant forest, Of the uncontrolled
freedom of the red men, of their stole
fortitude and matchless heroism. Warmed
by the recollection of those thrilling
scenes, he sprang at last to his feet, and,
in the tone of one amid the battles din,
fighting against the most fearful odds,
exclaimed, ''Now, Booth, once more for
liberty n The tragedian dared not dis
obey. He ran through, with all his
usual energy, the tale of Mexican thral-
dom, 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 intensi-
ty of thought and feeling which 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 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 q mastery
extemporaneous rhapsody:
Eyes yes am made to revel yet in
the halls of the Montezumas."
Coming events cast their shadows be-
foce," and although Houston did not
revel in the halls of the MonteZumas, his
determination and energy of character
conquered the occupant of these hall:
and wrested from Mexico the faires
state.