, 1884-08-01
Sam Houston and Booth.

General Sam Houston, who had lust
returned from his first visit to Texas, was
walking up Pennsylvania avenue, Wash.
ngton, in the winter of 1884. when he
met with his old friend Booth, the TRACE,
dian. After mutual expressions of sur,
prise and salutation, the two ascertained
that they were both rooming at Browne
Indian Queen Hotel, and going there
they went to Booths room. Sitting
down they recnunted the adventures of
their past lives, and, as they industriously
circ ulated the bottle, many a loud shout
echoed through that hall and startled the
watchmen in the street as they went their
silent rounds. As the night wore on
their excitement increased, until, at the
close of a thrilling story relating to his
strange career, Houston said:
Now, Booth, lets have IA speech 10
liberty, onelof those apostrophes to old
Roman freedom with which you startle
audiencesl
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 that the tragediau had himself entered
into the spirit of his companion, and,
nothing 10th, he rehearsed with magic
power many Of those electric passages in
defense of liberty with which the English
drama abounds. Houston, whose mem
DRY, as well as habits, partook of the In
dian character, caught up the words, and
with equal force, clearness and accuracy
e through each speech in regular sue
cession. Thus they proceeded for a time,
and then again sat down to renew their
potations and the story of their personal
adventures. Booth drank and listened
while the other told of his own elevation
in his native State, al his disgust of civil
honors, of his home in the distant forests,
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 among
the battles din, fighting against the most
fearful odds, exclaimed. Now, Booth.
once more for liberty The tragedian
dared not disobey. He uan 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 stubbon bravery of the ma
tive 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 emery
muscle and started the sweat III great
drops from his lofty brow, one who had.
all the fiery spirit of II Cortes and ambi-
ton of Pizarro. Qnick as thought he
took up the tale aud repeated the words
just uttered by Booth with the most crit.
cal precision of tone and manner. As he
became excited in the recitation 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 cxtemporaneous
rhapsody:
Yes! yes! | am made to rryel Yet 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 iiontezumas, his
determination and energy of character
conquered the occupant Of those halls and
wrcsted from Mexico her faireSt State.