Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-07-20


the point of a dagger.
His strange advent inspired thrill of
involuntary fear. and many present un-
consciously grasped the handles of their
side arms.
who are you that thus presumes to
intrude amongst gentlemen without invi-
tatiop 2" demanded Col. Morton, feroci-
ously. essaying to cow down the stranger
with his eye.
The latter returned his stare with
compound interest. and laid his long bo-
nv finger on his lips, as sign-but of
what sign the spectators could not ina
gine.
Who are you? Speak, or will cut
an answer out of your heart % shouted
Morton. almost distracted with rage by
the cool. sneering gaze of the other. who
now re, owed his finger from his lips and
laid it on the hilt of his monstrous Bow
ie.
The fiery colonel then drew his dag
ger, and was in the act of advancing upon
the stranger, when several caught and
held him back, demonstrating
.'Let him alone, Morton. for Gods
sake. Do you not perceive that he is
crazy ?"
AT that moment Judge Webb. a man
of shrewd intellect and courteous man
ners, stepped forward and addressed the
intruder in most respectful manner:
my good friend, presume you have
made mistake in the house. This is a
priya.e meeting where none but members
are admitted"
The stranger did not appear to COM
prehend the words, but could not fail to
understand the mild and deprecsGory
manner. His rigid features relaxed. and
moving to table in the centre of the hall
where there were materials and imple-
ments for writing, he seized pen and
traced one line Il am deaf" He then
held it up before the spectators as u sort
of natural apology for his own want of
politeness.
Judge Webb took this paper. and wrote
Question "Desr sir-will you be SO
obiiging az to inform US what is your bu-
sineSs with tie present meeting?'
The other responded by delivering a
letter inscribed on the back, To the CHI
zens of Austin They broke the seal
and read it aloud. IL was from Houston.
style
81 Fellow Citizens Though in error.
and deceived by the arts of traitors. |
will give you three more days to decide
whet her you will surrender the public
archieves. AT the end of that time you
will please let me know your decision.
SAN HoUsToN."
After the reading. the deaf man waited
few moments as il for a reply. and
then turned AMI was about to leave the
hall. when Col. Morton interpoSed, and
sternly beckoned him back to the table.
The stranger obeyed, ond Mort IN wrote ::
''You were brave enough 10 insult me by
your threatening looks ten minutes ago /;
are you brave enough to give me satis-
faction ?''
The stranger penned his reply: 81 am
at your service"
+ q Morton wrote "Who will be your
second ?''
The stranger replied: al am too gene
rous TO seek an advantage. and too brave
to fear any on the part of others there
fore | never need the all of a second"
Morton penned-"N Name your terms" Z"
The stranger traced without a mo-
ment's hesitation :-'+ Time, sunset this
evening place. the left bank of the
Colorado opposite Austin /; weapons. ri
fles; and distance, one hundred yards
Do not fail to be in time
He then took thrre steps across the
room. and disappeared through the win
dow as he had entered.
What p exclaimed Judge Webb, sis
it possible that you intend to fight that
man He is a niue, if not positive
maniac. Such meeting. l fear, will
sadly tarnish your laurels"
You are mistaken" replied Morton
with smile That man Is a hero. whose
fame stands in the record of a dozen of
battles, and al least half that many bloody
duels. Besides, he is the favorite ennis
sary and bosom friend of Houston. If
have the good fortune to kill him. think
it will tempt the President TO retract his
VOW against ven;uring any more on the
field of honor
You know the man, then. Who is
he? Who is hep" asked twenty voices
together.
deaf Smith," answered Morton cool
ly.
"why. no; that connot be. Deaf
Smith was slain at San Jacinto," remark
ed Judge Webb.
a. There. again. your honor is mista-
KEN said Morton. 1.-The story of Deaf
Smiths death was mere fiction, got up
by Houston to save the life of his favOrite
from the sworn vengeance Ofcertain Tex
ans, on whose conduct he h d acted As a
spy. l fathomed The artiice twelve
months since"
IF what YOU say is true. You are
mailman Yourself 81 exclaimed Webb
Deaf Smith was never kuown 10 miss his
mark He has often brought down ra-
vens in their most rapid flight. and killed