McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-09-25
HOUSTON AND BOOTH.
is,,ree Wore for Liberty s-A shadow
Of the Future.
[Ben: Perley Poore.1

! ben: Perley Poore.1
! Gen. Sam Houston, who had just re-
turned frem his first visit to Texas, was
walking up Pennsylvania avenue one
evening in the winter of 1884, when he
met with his old friend Booth, the ira
gedian. After mutual EXPLANATIONS OF
surprise and salutation, the two ascer-
tanned that they were both rooming at
Brownies Indian Queen hotel, and, go
ing there, they went to Booths room.
Sitting down, they recounted the adven-
lures of their past lives, and, as they in
dustriously circulated the bottle, many o
loud shout echoed through that hall and
startled the watchmcn in the streets as
they went their silent rounds. AS the
night wore on their excitement increased,
until, ut the close of a thrilling story re-
lating to his strange career, Houston ex-
claimed:
"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
request, however absurd or difficult OF
performance. But the tragedian him
self entered into the spirit of his com
panion, and, nothing 10th, he rehearses
with magic power many of those cleo
tric passages in defense of liberty in
which the English drama abounds.
Houston, whose memory as we'll as
habits partook Of the Indian character,
caught up the words, and with equal
force, clearncsS and accuracy, went
through each speech in regular success
sion. Thus they proceeded for time,
and then again sat down to renew their
potatl0ns and the story OF their personal
adventure. Both drank and listened,
the other told OF his own elevation in his
native state, at his disgust at civic.
hOnors, of his home in the distant for
est, of the uncontrolled freedom of the
redmen, of their stole fortitude and
matchless heroism
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" The tragedian
dared not disobey He ran through,
with all his usual energy, the tale Of
Mexican thraldom, of the Spanish con-
quest of that land, the dangers incurred
by that army, their commanders ex-
hortation before the battle and the
stubborn bravery of the native chiefs.
Before him stood at that lone hour,
listening with an intensity 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 hs d
all the fiery spirit of a Cortes and am
bition of PiZarro. Quick as thouyht
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 reel
tatiOn, 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 vet in
the halls Of the MontezumaS
Coming events cast their shadows be-
fore" and although Houston did not re-
vel in the halls of the Montezumas, his
determination and energy of character
conquered the occupant of those halls,
and Wrested from Mexico her fairest
state