, 1885-07-25
SAM HOUSTON ANo BOOTH
The Iragcdian'- I%sehear.ai- aud the Gen
rraI'- Thrilling Re.pon-e,.

The Iragedian's Isehearsai. aud the Gen
rrai'- Thrilling Re.pon-e--
nfu; Trriey ro,fr
Gen sam Houston, who had Just 70
turned from his rst Visit to Texas, wa
walking mp e.nsylyania avenue one
evening in the winter OF 1874, when he
net with his old friend Booth,
the tragedian. After mutual ex.
ordinations of surprise and salu.
tntion the two a%scertained that
fhcy we're both rooming at Brownies In.
dian iueen hotel, and going there they
went to ! Doth s room. Sitting down,
they fecountod the adventures Of their
lnlst lives, and Us they ind~ustriously
circulated the bottle many a loud shout
echoed through that hall and startled
the watchmen in the street as they went
on their excitement increased until, al
the close Of a thrilling story relating to
his strange career, Houston exclaimed.
Now, Booth, let's have a speech to
liberty, ono 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 oil him, would not be denied any
re uest, however absurd or difficult Of
performance. But the tragedian had
himself entered into the spirit of his
companion, and, nothing 10th,
he rehearsed with magic power
many Of those electris passages
In defense of liberty with which
the English language abounds. Houston,
whose memory as well as his habits par.
took OF the Indian character, caught up
the words, and, with @ ual force, clear
ness aud accuracy, went through each
speech IN regular succession. Thus
ihcy proceeded for a time, and then
again sat down to renew their potations
and the story of personal adventure.
Eo0th drank and listened while the other
told Of his elevation in his native
state. OF his dsgust at civic honors, of
hi home in the distant forest, of the
uncontrolled freedom OF the red men, OF
their stole tortitude and matchless
hernism.
NJ armed by the recollection o. those
thrilling scenes he sprang at last to his
feet. and. in the tone OF one amid the
battle din lighting 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, tho tale of
Mexican thraldom, of the Spanish con
quest of that land, the dangers in
Cured by that army. their commander 5
elaboration before the battle and the
stub orn bravery o the native chic 5.
Before him stood at that lone hour,
listening with an intensity OF
thought and feeling which shons
through his eyes, lighted his face,
strained every muscle, and started the
sweat in great drops from his 10 ty
brow, Il who had all the fiery spirit OF
a Corte, and ambition Of a izarro.
Quick as thought he took up the tale
and repeated the words ust uttered by
Tooth, with the most crit al precision
OF ton and manner A he Lecam cx-
c.tul IN the rec. tations his spirit seemed
TO take ire, and With an air 80 deter
miuel. 80 irightful, that il seemed tn
voice of n inspired. he exclalming al
the close OF a mastery Interpretations
rhapsody
os es am made to revel yet
in the halls Of tho Monte umas.
coming events cast their shadows
before, and although Houston did not
reyel in the halls of the Montezumas,
his determination and energy of charac
ter ion uered the occupant OF these halls
and wrested from Mexico her fairest
tate