Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1861-11-15

consciously grasped the handles of their
side arms.
s.Who are you that thus presumes to
intrude among gentlemen, without invi-
tation?" demanded Col. Morton, essay
ing to cow down the stranger with his
eye.
The latter resumed his stare with
compound interest, and his long bony
fingers on his lips, as sign, but of what
the spectators could not imagine.
..Who are you? Speak, or I will out
an answer out of your hearth shouted
Morton, almost distracted with rage by
the cool, sneering gaze of the other, VIII o
now removed his finger from his lip,
and placed his hand 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 God 5
sake, don't you perceive that he is
crazy?'
AT this moment, Judge Webb, a man
Of shrewd intellect and courteous man
ners, stepped forward and addressed the
intruder in the most respectful manner:
"My good friend, | presume you
have made a mistake in the house.
This is private meeting where none
but members are admitted"
The stranger did not seem to COM
prehend the words, but he could not
fail to understand the mild and depre-
catory manner. His rigid features re-
laxed, and moving to ia lie in the CEN
ter of the hall, where there were mate
rials and implements for writing, he
siezed a pen and traced one line. 81
am deaf He then held it up before
the spectators as sort of apology fer
his own want Of politeness.
Judge Webb took the paper and wrote
question, "Dear sir, will you be so
oblising as to inform us what is your
business with the present meeting"
The other replied by delivering let
ter inscribed on the back, ITO the citi-
zens Of Austin" They broke the seal
and read it aloud 1t was from Hous-
ton and showed the usual terse brevity
of his style:
Fellow -citizens--Though in error,
and deceived by the arts of traitors, I
will give you three days more to decide
whether you will surrender the public
archives At the end of that time
please let ne know your decision"
You were brave enough to insult me
by your threatening looks ten minutes
ago, are you brave enough now toegive-
me satisfaction?'
The stranger penned his reply:
81 am at your service.
Morton peuned: ''Name your terms"
The stranger traced without mo-
ment's hesitation, "Time, sunset this
evening; place, the left bank of the Col
orado, opposite Austin; weapons, rifles;
distance, one hundred yards. Do not
fail to be in time
He then took three steps across the
floor and disappeared as he had entered
"What" exclaimed Judge Webb, sis
it possible, Col. Morton, that you in
tend to fight that man? He is mute
if not positive maniac. Such meet
ing will sadly tarnish the lustre of your
laurels."
You are mistaken" replied Morton,
with smile; "that man is a hero,
whose fame stands in the record Of
dozen battles, and at least half as many
duels. Besides he is the favorite ennis
sary and bosom friend of Houston. If
l have the good fortune to kill him, |
think it will tempt the President to re-
tract his vow against venturing any
more the field of honor
You know the man, then. Who is
he?" asked twenty voices together.
Deaf Smith, '"said Morton coolly.
off what you say is true, you are a
madman yourself" exclaimed Webb
Deaf Smith was.ige gever known to miss
his mark. HeslMs often .bfgasht down
ravens in their most rapidsfight, and
killed Camanches two hundred and fifty
yards distaNRiI
"Say n ane, answereACol Morton,
in tones pot seep determSa alton; "the
thing is al1eg settled, lave agreed
to meet him. Where can belno disgrace
in falling before such shot, and if |
succeed my tri lmph will confer the
greater glory"
Such was the general habit of feeling
prevalent throughout Texas at that pc
riod.
Towards evening vast crowds assem-
bled at the place appointed, to witness
the hostile meeting; and so great was
the popular recklessness of affairs Of that
sort, that numerous and considsMalea
sums were wagered on the result
At length the red orb of the sufMfss s
sun touched the curved rim of the Wes64!
ern horizon covering it all with crimson
and gold, filing the air with food of
burning glory, and then the two mortal
antagonists, armed with long, ponder
Gus rifles, took their stations, back to
back, and at the preconcerted signal
the waving of white handkerchief
walked slowl y and steadily off in oppo-
site directions, counting their steps un-
til each had measured fifty. They both
completed the given number about the
same time, and then they wheeled, each
to aim and fire when he choose AS
the distance was great, both paused for
some seconds-long enough for the be-
holders to flash their eyes from one to
the other, and mark the striking con-
trast.
The face ofCol Morton was calm and
smiling, but the smile it bore had mur-
derous meaning. On the contrary the
countenance of Deaf Smith was stern and
passionless as ever. n side view of his
features mi ght be taken for a profile
done in cast iron. The one, too, was
dressed in richest cloth, the other in
smoke tinted Ielther. But that made no
difference in Texas then; for the heirs Of
l. =. IL