Excerpt from “the life, crime, and capture of john wilkes booth”
by george alfred townsend
president lincoln took one of the arm-chairs and seated himself in the front of the box, in the angle nearest the audience, where, partially screened from observation, he had the best view of what was transpiring on the stage. mrs. lincoln sat next to him, and miss harris in the opposite angle nearest the stage. major rathbone sat just behind mrs. lincoln and miss harris. these four were the only persons in the box.
the play proceeded, although "our american cousin," without mr. sothern, has, since that gentleman's departure from this country, been justly esteemed a very dull affair. the audience at ford's, including mrs. lincoln, seemed to enjoy it very much. the worthy wife of the president leaned forward, her hand upon her husband's knee, watching every scene in the drama with amused attention. even across the president's face at intervals swept a smile, robbing it of its habitual sadness.
about the beginning of the second act, the mare, standing in the stable in the rear of the theater, was disturbed in the midst of her meal by the entrance of the young man who had quitted her in the afternoon. it is presumed that she was saddled and bridled with exquisite care.
having completed these preparations, mr. booth entered the theater by the stage door; summoned one of the scene shifters, mr. john spangler, emerged through the same door with that individual, leaving the door open, and left the mare in his hands to be held until he (booth) should return. booth who was even more fashionably and richly dressed than usual, walked thence around to the front of the theater, and went in. ascending to the dress circle, he stood for a little time gazing around upon the audience and occasionally upon the stage in his usual graceful manner. he was subsequently observed by mr. ford, the proprietor of the theater, to be slowly elbowing his way through the crowd that packed the rear of the dress circle toward the right side, at the extremity of which was the box where mr. and mrs. lincoln and their companions were seated. mr. ford casually noticed this as a slightly extraordinary symptom of interest on the part of an actor so familiar with the routine of the theater and the play.
the curtain had arisen on the third act, mrs. mountchessington and asa trenchard were exchanging vivacious stupidities, when a young man, so precisely resembling the one described as j. wilkes booth that be is asserted to be the same, appeared before the open door of the president's box, and prepared to enter.
the servant who attended mr. lincoln said politely, "this is the president's box, sir, no one is permitted to enter." "i am a senator," responded the person, "mr. lincoln has sent for me." the attendant gave way, and the young man passed into the box.
as he appeared at the door, taking a quick, comprehensive glance at the interior, major rathbone arose. "are you aware, sir," he said, courteously, "upon whom you are intruding? this is the president's box, and no one is admitted." the intruder answered not a word. fastening his eyes upon mr. lincoln, who had half turned his head to ascertain what caused the disturbance, he stepped quickly back without the door.
without this door there was an eyehole, bored it is presumed on the afternoon of the crime, while the theater was deserted by all save a few mechanics. glancing through this orifice, john wilkes booth espied in a moment the precise position of the president; he wore upon his wrinkling face the pleasant embryo of an honest smile, forgetting in the mimic scene the splendid successes of our arms for which he was responsible, and the history he had filled so well.
the cheerful interior was lost to j. wilkes booth. he did not catch the spirit of the delighted audience, of the flaming lamps flinging illumination upon the domestic foreground and the gaily set stage. he only cast one furtive glance upon the man he was to slay, and thrusting one hand in his bosom, another in his skirt pocket, drew forth simultaneously his deadly weapons. his right palm grasped a derringer pistol, his left a dirk.
then, at a stride, he passed the threshold again, levelled his arm at the president and bent the trigger.
a keen quick report and a puff of white smoke,—a close smell of powder and the rush of a dark, imperfectly outlined figure,—and the president's head dropped upon his shoulders: the ball was in his brain.
what is the central idea of “the life, crime, and capture of john wilkes booth”? how do specific details from the text to develop the central idea? write a two paragraph response that includes textual evidence for support.