The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-08-20


Gen. Sam Houston, who had iust re-
turned from his first visit to Texas. was
walking up PENNSYLVANIA avenue one
evening in the winter Of 1884, when he
met his old friend Booth the tragedian.
After mutual ordinations Of surprise
and salutation, the two ascsrtained that
tney were both ~ 0ming In Browns In
dian Queen hotel, and going there they
went % Booths room. Sitting down.
they reeounted the adventures Of their
past lives, and, as they industriousiy
circulated the bottle, many loud shout
echoed through that hail and startled
the watchmen on the street as they
went their silent rounds. As the night
wore on their excitement increased, un-
til, at the close of a thrilling story re-
lating to his strange career, Houston
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.
be 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 had
himself entered into the spirit of his
companion. and, nothing 10th. he re-
hearsed with magic power many of
those electric passages In defense of
liberty with which the English drama
abounds. Houston. whose. memory as
we'll as habits partook Of the Indian
character, caught mp the words, and
with equal force, clearness, and accu-
racy went through each speech in reg
ular succession. Thus they proceeded
for time, and then again sat down TO
renew their potanons and the story of
their personal adventure. Booth drank
and listened, while the other told OF
his own elevation in his native state,
and his disgust with civic honors, of his
home in the distant forest, of tho I'M
comfortable freedom of the red men. of
their stole fortitude and matchless he
roism. Warmed by the recollection of
those thrilling scenes, he sprang 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 hbertym The tragedian
dared not disobey. He ran through
with all his usual energy the tale Of
Mexican thralldom, of the Spanish con-
quest of that land, the dangers incur
red by that army, their commanders
eXhortation before the battle. and the
stubborn bravery of the native chiefs.
Before him stood at that lone hour, Ifs
tening with an intensity of thought and
feeling that shone through his eyes.
lighted his face, strained every muscle.
and started the sweat in great drops
from his lofty brow, one who had in
him all the fiery spirit of Cortez and
ambition of a Pizarro. Quick as
thought he took up the tale and repeat
ed the words just uttered by Booth.
with the most critical 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 tho voice of
one inspired, he exclaimed at the close
of magnificent extemporaneous rhap-
sody:
''Yes! yes! l am made to revel yet
in the halls of the Montezumasr
Coming events cast their shadows
before" and dalthuugh Houston did not
revel in the halls of the Montezumas.
his determination and eaerQY of char
acter conquered the occupR = of those
halls, and wrested from fexicO her
fairest state,-Ben: Perley P0Oye.