Weekly Calaveras chronicle. (Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County, Cal.) 18??-1874, 1867-12-07

State House, anu plckeu SeutlnelS were
stationed along the road to the capital,
the military paraded the streets from
morning till night, and caucus of the
ring leaders was held in the City Hall.
Everything threatened coming storm.
Thus matters stood for several days.
when the caucus at the City Hall were
startled by the sudden arrival of a
stranger among them. He did not
knock at the door nor attempt to seek
admission there, but climbed unnoticed,
with the celebrity of a monkey, a small
oak which grew by the side of the wall,
aud without a word or warning sprang
through lofty window, and landed in
the very room where the astonished
caucus were congregated.
The stranger was clad in buckskin,
carried long and heavy rifle in his
hand, wore at the bottom of his left
suspender an immense bowie knife, and
held in his leathern belt, couple of
enormous pistols. He was thin, tall
and straight as an arrow, as 1.-THE and
supple as panther, with swarthy
complexion, long et-black hair, rigid,
iron-lIke countenance, eyes of a glitter
ing blackness, and as piercing as the
point of stilletto. His sudden ap-
pearance among them so startled them
that they unconsciously grasped their
arms.
'Who are you that comes among gen.
tlemen uninvited Numbered Colonel
Morton, staring ferociously at him.
The stranger turned his black eyes upon
him, but the only answer he made was
placing his finger upon his lips.
who are you? Speak or [ will run
you through shouted Morton, driven
to fury by the cool, contemptuous gaze
of the other, who now took his finger
from his lip and laid it on the handle
Of his knife. The exasperated Colonel
now drew his dagger, and was advanc.
ing upon the stranger, when several in
terposed and held him back. 'Let him
alone, Morton. Don't you see he is
crazy?'
At this juncture Judge Webb
stepped forward and spoke to the stran-
ger in a kindly, respectful manner.
My coed friend, suppose you have
made a mistake. This is private
meeting, where none but members are
admitted
The stranger did not seem to under
stand the words, but he did the con-
ciliatoiy manner. His iron features
relaxed somewhat, and stepping to a
side table where there were writing
materials, he took up pen and rapidly
traced the words, i AM DEAF
He then held up the paper before
the spectators, as a sort of natural
apology for his seeming discourtesy.
Judge Webb then took up the pen and
wrote: will you be obliging enough
as to inform US what your business is
with this mecting?' The stranger
answered this question by handing a
letter to the Jud ge, whose superscription
was, TO the citizens of Austin The
seal was broken and it was read aloud !:
FELLOW CITIZENS Though in err
ror, and deceived by the of a traitor,
| will give you just three more days to
decide whether you will surrender the
public archives. At the end of that
time, you will please let me know your
decision.
SAM HOUsToN.
After the letter was read, the deaf
man waited moment or two for a re.
ply, and then turned to leave the hall.
At this juncture Col. Morton, interpos-
ing with lowering brow, beckoned him
to the table The stranger obeyed,
when Morton wrote:
you were brave enough to insult
me by your threatening looks ten min
utes ago; are you brave enough now
to give me satisfaction p The stranger
instantly penned the reply: Il am at
your service The colonel again wrote:
who will be your second p This was
the answer Il am too generous to seek
an advantage, and too brave to fear any
on the part of others therefore | never
need the aid of second
Morton wrote Name your terms.
The stranger wrote, without second S
hesitation: Time, sunset this evening !;
place, the left bank of the Colorado,
opposite Austin weapons, rifles; dis
lance, one hundred yards. Do not fail
to be in time
The last sentence was not calculated
to soothe the feelings of the irritated
Colonel and he compressed his lips as
he read it. The next moment the
stranger strobe across the floor and dis
appeared through the window in the
same manner that he had entered.
is it possible, Colonel Morton, that
you intend to fight that man 2 exclaim-
ed Judge Webb. He is mute if not
maniac. Such meeting, I fear, will
tarnish the lustre of your laurels.'
You are Mistaken answered Morton,
with smile; shat mute is a hero
whose fame stands in the record of a
dozen battles, and nearly as many
bloody duels. Beside that, be is the
favorite emissary and bosom friend of
Houston. If | have the good fortune
to kill him. think the President will
retract his VOW. against venturing any
more on the field of honor.
You know the man, then? Who is
hep asked several. deaf Smith
Impossible that cannot be. Deaf
Smith was killed at San Jacinto, replied
judge Webb. There again your honor