Daily Yellowstone journal., 1885-08-01
SAM HOUSTON AND BOOTH.
The Tragedian's Rehearsais and the GEL

The Tragedian's Rehearsais and the Gen.
erals Thrilling Responses.
ben: Ferley Poorel
Gen. Sam Houston, who had lust re-
turned from 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 tragedian. After mutual ex-
carnations of surprise and salu-
tation the two ascertained that
they were both rooming at Brownies In.
dian Queen hotel, and going there they
went TO Goth Is room. Sitting down,
they recounted the adventures of their
past lives, and as they industriously
circulated the bottle many 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 thrilling story relating 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 10 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 had
himself entered into the spirit of his
companion, and, nothing 10th,
he rehearsed with magic power
many of those electri' passages
in defense Of liberty with which
the English language abounds. houston,
whose memory as well as his habits par.
took ef the Indian character, caught up
the words, and, with eiual force, clear.
ness and accuracy, went through each
speech in regular succession. Thus
they proceeded for a time, and then
again sat down TO renew their rotations
and the story Of personal adventure.
Booth drank and listened while the other
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 red men, OF
their stole fortitude and matchless
heroism.
Warmed by the recollection o those
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 al his usual energy. the tale Of
Mexican thraldom, OF the Spanish con.
quest, of that land, the dangers in
CURED by that army, their commander
exhortation before the battle and the
stubborn bravery OF the native chic 5.
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 had all the fiery spirit Of
a Cortez and ambition of a fizarro.
Quick as thought he took up the tale
and repeated the words Just uttered by
Booth, with the most critical precision
of tone and manner. As he became ex-
cited in the recitations his spirit seemed
10 take FIRE, and with an air so deter
mined, so irightful, that it seemed the
voice of one inspired, he exclaiming at
the close Of mastery extemporaueous
rhapsody!
"les! Yes. lam made to revel yet
IN the halls Of the Montezumas.
Coming events cast their shadows
before, and although Houston did not
revel in the halls of the Montezumas,
his determination and energy of charac-
ter con Iuered the occupant of these halls
and wrested from Mexico her fairest
state.