The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1885-08-05
SAM HOUSTON AND BoorA.


lhu's WV lbV'Nsl
Gen. Sam Houston, who had Just re
turned from his rst visit to Texas; wa!
walking up le.n>ylvania avenue ont
evening in the winter Of 1884, when III
met with his old friend Booth
the tragedian. After mutual ex
carnations Of surprise and salu
tation the two ascertained tha
they were both roominS at Brownies In
dian Queen hotel, aud going there they
went to OOths room Sitting down
they recounted the adventures Of theiI
past lives, and us they industriOuslS
circulated the bottle many q loud shoul
echoed through that hall and startled
the watchmon in the street Rs thcy wen
their silent rounds. AS tho night Wort
on their excitement increased until, a.
the close of a thrilling story relating t.
his strange career, Houston exclaimed:
Now, Booth, let's have a speech tc
liberty, one OF those apostrophes to ole
Roman freedom with which you startlt
audiences
Had PoOth beon inclined to refuse, h,
knew that his friend when the moot
was on him, would not bC denied ans
re uost, however absurd or diiCult Of
performance. But the tragedian had
himself entered into the spirit Of hil
companion, and, nothing 10th
he rehearSed with magic power
many of those eleCtri passage.
in defense of liborty with which
the English lNnguageabOunds. Houston,
whose memory as well as his habits par
took Of the Indian character, caught "
the words, and, with Q ual force, clear
ness and accuracy, went through each
speech in regular succession. Thu.
they proceeded for q time, and then
again sat down to renew their pOtatiOn:
and the story Of personal adventure.
Booth drank and listened while the othel
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 rcd men, Of
their stole i0rtitude and matchIess
herOism.
Warmed by tho recollection o. those
thrilling scenes he sprang at last to biz
feet, and, in the tone of ono amid the
battles 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, the tale Of
Mexican thraldom, Of the Spanish con
quest, Of that land, tho dangers in
Cured by that army, their commander 5
exhortation before the battle and the
stubborn bravery o; the native chic S.
Before him stood a: that lOnO hour,
listening with an intensity OF
thought and feeling which shonO
through his eyes, lighted his face,
strained every muscle, and started the
sweat in great drops from his 10 ty
brow, one who had all tho fiery spirit Of
u Cortoz and ambition OF q lizarro.
Quick rs thought he took up tho tale
and repeated the words .ust uttered by
booth, with the most Criti.al precision
OF tone and manner As 10 became OK.
cited in the reoitations his spirit seemed
TO take fire, and with an air so deter.
mined, so lrightful, that it seemed the
voice Of one inspired, he exclaiming at
the close Of q mastery oxtSmpOranCous
rhapsody;
"lcsl leSl lam made to rcvel yet
in the halls Of the Nontelumas.
Coming events cast their shadows
before, and although Houston did not
rovel in the halls Of tho Montelumas,
his determination and energy Of chNrac,
ter COn uOred the OCcupantOf these halls
and wtested from Mexico her laircst
state,
San Francisco Post; A mine Is a minO
for OnOO, and then Il benOmOl n hnlo In