Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-02-12

Sciousiy SEdSpeu the nandles OF theT sue (
arms.
who are you that you thus presume
to intrude among gentlemen without in
vitation?' demanded Col. Morton. fero-
ciouzly, essaying to COW down the stran-
ger with his eye.
The latter returned his stare with CON-
pound interest, and laid his bony finger
on hip as q sign-but what the specta-
tors could 10; imagine,
Who are you? Speak or III cut IN
answer out Of your heart !' shouted Nor
ton, almost distracted with rage, by the
cold, sneering gaze of the other, who now
removed his finger from his lip, and laid
| It on the hilt Of his monstrous knife.
| The fiery Colonel then drew his dag
ger, and was in the act of advancing upon
the stranger, when several caught him
and held him back, demonstrating
"Let him alone, Morton, for Gods
sake! Do you not perceive that he is
crazy :"
st the moment, Judge Webb, man of
shrewd intellect and courteous manners,
advanced and addressed tine intruder in
most respectful manner:
I My good friend, 1 suppose you have
made mistake in the house. This is =
private meeting, where none but mem
bers are admitted.
The stranger did not appear TO COM
prelend the words, but he could not fail
10 understand the mild and deprecatory
manner. His rigid features relaxed, and
moving to table in the center of the
hall, where there were materials and i'm
pIements for writing, he seized pen and
traced cne rne-"I an deaf" He then
held it up before the spectators = sort
OF natural apology for his own want of
politeness.
Judge Webb took the paper and wrote
the question
Dear sir, u ii you be Sc ot,,iisiin9 as to
inform US what is your business with Tie
r e-5s-nt meetirg!"
The o.-er responded by delivering a
: letter. inscribed cn the back, To the
citizens of Austin" They broke the
, seal and read aloud. 1t was from Hous-
ton, and showed his usual terse breFity OF
style:
: Fellow CITIZENS Though in er-
/ To-, sid deceived by the arts of traitors
t l will give you three more days to decide
;. whether you will surrender the public ar
: chives. At the end of that time you viii
: please let me know your decision.
SAM HoUsToN."
: After reading the deaf man waited ;
; few seconds, as if for reply, and ther
turned and was about to leave the hall
whea Col. Morton intcrposed and sternl,
/ beckonel lin back to the table. Th
: stranger obeyed, and Morton wrote:
e "You were brave enough to insult N
e BY your threatening looks ten minute
= s55, are you brave enough now TO Civ
N me satisfaction e
+ The stranger penned his reply-"I ar
n at your service
Choose your seconds"
- The stranger rejoined-"I am too ger
- erous to seek an advantage, and too brav
TO fear any on the part of others, there
lore need 70 second"
Morton then penned-"wha are you
terms" 2"
The stranger traced without a mt
nent's hesitation-"Tine, sunset til
evening-pIace. the left bank of the Co
erado, opposite Austin-weapons, riff
- distance, a hundred yards. Donot IA
10 UC III tltIS.
y He then took three steps across Il
=, = floor, and disappeared through the wi
~ doE as be had entered.
What" exclaimed Webb, sis it 20
sible that you intend to fight that maj
He is a mute il not an absolute mania
/ fear it viii tarnish the lustre Of 70
II. Iaurels."
ba "You are mistaken replied Mosto
-. With smile, '-that mute is hero who
- name stands in the records of dozen b;
!, ties, and at least half az many bloc
- duels. Besides, he is the favorite EN-
;. sary and friend of Houston. IF l ha
oil the good fortune to Kill him, think i; v
-5a tempt the President to retract his ~
or against venturing any more on the fit
He Of honor"
ar- You know the man, then. Who
ore he? What is his name ?" asked tEer
rye voices together.
,rI, Deal Smith,, answered Col. Nor
his coolly.
ow why no, that cannot be. Deaf Sm