The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1861-11-28

| Ills. b. '.s.a
tWho are you that thus presumes to
intrude among gentlemen. without inyi-
tation? demanded Col. Morton. essaying
to COW down the stranger with his eye.
The latter resumed his stare with com
pound interest, and his long bouy fingers
op his lips, as sign, but of what the
spectators could not imagine. .ia'
"Who are you2 Speak or | will cut an
answer out of your beartl' shouted Nor
ton. almost distracted with rage by the
cool sneering gaze Of the other, who now
removed his finger from his lip and pIa-
ced his hand on the hilt of his monstrous
knife. w $50 xat-+ .Ha so
The fiery Colcn then drew his dagger
and was in tha act OF advancing upon the
stranger. when several caught him and
held him back, remonstrsting. .a.
"Let him alone, Morton, 5ior Gods
sake; don't you perceive that he is crazy?
At this moment Judge Webb, man
Of shrewed intellect and courteous man
ners. stepped forward and addressed the
intruder in the most respectful manner
my good friend, presume you have
mada a mis,ake in the house. This is a
private nesting where none but members
are admitted" " '''' '5.i
Tbs STRANGER did not seem To eompre.
hepd the words but he could not fail to
understand the mild aud deprecatory
manner, His ripld features relaxed. aod
moving to d table in the center of the
1hsll. where there were materials and i'm.
plements for writing, he seized a pen and
1tracsd one line. IL am deaf" He then
1bela il nm before tbe sneetators as a sort
ofanoloov for bis own want of noli,aness
JUDGE Webb took the paper and wrot.
question. "Desr sir. will YOU be so kind
az tn inform ms what il your business
with the meeting" The other replied
by delivering letter inscribed on the
hack. "To lie citizens Of Austin ~ Thew
'Ibroke the seal and read it aloud. 1t was
from Houston and showed the usual terse
breyitv of his style
aFellow. citizens 2 Tbourh in error. and
deceived by the arts of traitors. will
give you thraa days more to decide wheth,
f er you will surrender ths public archives
At the end of that time please let mt
know your decision at4se
"You were brave enough to insult me
tby your threatening looks ten minute
ago, are you brave enough now to give
me satisfaction?' ~.
The stranger penned his reply:
81 am at your service.
"Mor on penned: "Name your terms.
The stranger traced without a mo
ment's hesitation, "Time, sunset this eve
! ming; place, the leii bank of the Colorado
opposite Austin; weapons, rifles; distance
} one hundred yards. Do not fail to be il
time."
He then took !hree steps across th'
4 floor aud disappeared as he had entered.
; "WbatI' exclaimed Judge Webb. "i
, liz possible Col. Morton, that you intenc
. to fight that man? Hs is a mute if no
J positive maniac. Such meeting vii
5 sadly tarnish the luslre of your laurelS.
8 "You are Mistaken" replied Morton
8 with smile; that man is hero, who's
: fame stands in the record of dozen bat
ties. and at least halfa5 many duels. Be
: sides he is the favorite emlssary and bo
som friend Of Houston. If | have tn
: good fortune to kill him, | think it vii
a .empt the President TO retract his VOW a
: gainst venturing any more the field o
T honor" .,
/. you know the man. then. Who !
i her, asked twenty voices together,
9 "Deaf Smith" said Morton coolly.
d IF what you say is true, you are
: mailman YOURSELF exclaimed Webb
: DeafSmith was never known to miss hl
n mark. He has often brought down ra
1t vens in their most rapid flight, and klIIe
l. Oamanches two hundred and fifty yard
r distant" t.819.
S "Say no more" answered Col. Morton
d IN tones Of deep determination; tine thin
la already settled, baye agreed TO NEE
IS him. There can be no disgrace in iallln
before such shot, and il | succeed m
l. triumph will confer the greater glory,
= Such was the general habit OF ieelin
n prevalent throughout Texas at that pf
1t Iriod. !,
g. Towards evening vast crowds assemo
= ed at the place appointed, to witness tn
1t hostile nesting, and so great was the POI
h ular recklessness of affairs of that sor
10 that numerous and considerable sun
lie were wagersd on the result. a