The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-08-24

ny Soou lIleuu, presume you nav
made a mistake in the house. This is
private meeting, were none but member
arc admitted"
The stranger did not appear to com
prehend the mild and depreciatory man
ner. His rigid features relaxed, and mo
wing to table in the center of the hall
where there were materials for writing
he seized pen and traced one line: 81
am deaf" He then held it up before the
spectators, as a sort of apology for his OWL
want of politeness.
Judge Webb took this paper and wrote
D question "Dear sir-Will you be SC
obliging as to inform us what is your bus.
mess with the present meeting"
The other responded by delivering a
letter inscribed on the back. "To the
citizens of Austin" They broke the seal
and read it aloud. 1t was from Houston
and showed the usual terse brevity of his
style:
"Fellow Citizens Though in error,
and deceived by the arts of traitors, will
give you three more days to decide wheth-
er you will surrender the public archives.
At the end Of that time you will please
let me know your decision"
SAM Houston.
After reading, the deaf man waited a
few seconds, as if for reply, and then
turned to leave the hall, when Colonel
Morton interposed and sternly beckoned
him back to the table. The stranger O.
beyed, and Morton wrote: "You were
brave enough to insult me by your threat
ening looks ten minutes ago; are you
brave enough now to give me satisfaction"
The stranger penned his reply: 81
am at your service ~
Morton wrote again: "Who will be
your second ~
The stranger replied: "I am too gen.
erous to seek an advantage, and too brave
to fear any on the part of others there
fore, | never need the aid of second"
Morton penned-"Name your terms"
The stranger penned without mo-
ment's hesitation :-''Time, sunset this
evening; place, the left bank of the Col
orado, opposite Austin weapons, rifles !;
and distance, hundred yards. Do not
fail to be in time p
He took three steps across the room,
and disappeared through the window, as
he had entered.
"What p' exclaimed Judge Webb, 'fs
it possible, Colonel Morton, that you in
tend to fight that man? He is mute
if not a maniac. Such a meeting l fear
would tarnish your laurels."
"You are mistaken" replied Morton,
with smile ''that mute is hero, whose
fame stands in the records of a dozen bat
ties, and at least half as many bloody du-
els. Besides he is the favorite emissary
and bosom friend of Houston. If have
the good fortune to kill him l think it
will tempt the President to retract his
vows against venturing any more on the
field of honor"
"You know the man then. Who is he?
Who is he ?" asked twenty voices togeth-
or.
"Deaf Smith" answered Morton coolly.
"Why, no, that cannot be. Deaf
Smith was slain at San Jacinto, remark
ed Judge Webb.
"Then, again, your honor is mistaken"
said Morton. "The story of Deaf Smiths
death was a mere fiction, got up by Hous-
ton to save the life of his favorite from
the sworn vengeance of certain Texans,
on whose conduct he had acted as a spy.
[ fathomed the article twelve months
since"
off what you say be true; you are a
mad man yourself?" exclaimed Webb
"Deaf Smith was never known to miss his
mark. He has often brought down ra-
vens in their most rapid fight, and killed
Camanches and Mexicans at distance of
two hundred and fifty yards"
"Say no more," answered Colonel Nor
ton, in tones of deep determination ; "the
thing is already settled. have agreed
to meet him. There can be no disgrace
in falling before such shot, and if l sue
ceed my triumph will confer the greater
glory!'
Such was the general habit of thought
and feeling prevalent throughout Texas
at that period.
Towards evening vast crowd assem-
bled at the place appointed to witness the
hostile meeting; and so great was the
popular recklessness as to affairs of the
sort, that numerous and considerable
sums were wagered on the result. At
length the red orb of summer touched
the curved rim of the western horizon,
covering it all with crimson and
gold, and filling the air with flood of
burning fire and then the two mortal an
tagonists, armed with long ponderous ri
flcs, took their stations back to back, and
at preconcerted signal-the waving of
white handkerchief-walked slowly and
steadily on in opposite directions, count
ing their steps until each had fifty They
both completed the given number about
the same instant and then they wheeled,
and as the distance was great, both paused
for some moments-long enough for the
holders to fash their eyes from one to an
other, and mark the contrast bctwixt
them. The face of Col. Morton was calm
and smiling, but the smile it bore had a
most murderOus meaning On the con-