The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-03-08

VINO are you tnat comes among
gentlemen uninvited?' thundered Col.
Morton. staring at him ferociously.
the stranger turned his black eyes
upon him, and stared at him, but the
only answer he made was by placing his
fingers upon his lips.
"Who are you? Speak, or Tll run
you through" shouted Morton, driven
to fury by the cool, contemptuous gaze
of the other, who now took his finger
from his lips and placed it upon his
knife.
The exasperated colonel drew back his
dagger, and was advancing upon the
stranger, when several interpos:d and
held him back.
Let him alone, Morton, Don't you
see he is crazy?"
At this juncture Judge Webb stepped
foaward and spoke to the stranger in a
kindly, respectful manner.
"My good friend, I suppose you have
made a mistake. This is a private
meeting to which none but members are
admitted"
The stranger did not seem to under
stand the words, but he did the concilia-
tory manner. His iron features relaxed
somewhat, and stepping to table where
were implement of writing, he took up
a pen and rapidly traced these words:
81 am deafw He then held up the
paper to the spectators as a natural
apology to his seeming discourtesy.
"Will you be kind enough to inform
us what your business is with this meet
ing?"
The stranger answered the question by
handing a letter to the judge, whose
superscription was, "To the citizens Of
Austin" The seal was broken, and it
was read aloud:
FELLOW CITIZENS Though in error and
deceived by the arts of traitors, l will give
you 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 few moments for a reply, and
turned to leave the hall. AT this moment
Colonel Morton interposed with a
lowering brow, and beckoned him to the
table. The stranger obeyed. Colonel
Morton then wrote:
"You were brave enough to insult me
by your threatening looks ten minutes
ago; are you brave enough to give me
satisfaction"
The stranger instantly penned the re-
ply
"I am at your service"
The colonel again wrote:-
"Who will be your second?'
This was the answer
"I am too generous to seek an advan-
tage, and too brave to fear one on the part
of others; therefore never need the aid
of a second"
Morton wrote:-
"Name your terms"
The stranger wrote without a mo-
ment's hesitation -
"Time, sunset this evening; place, the
left bank of the Colorado, opposite
Austin; weapons, rifles; distance, a
hundred yards. Do not fail to be on
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 strode
across the floor and disappeared through
the window in the same manner he haG
entered.
els it possible that you are going tt
fight that man p exclaimed JudgeWebb
"He is a mute, if not maniac. Such {
meeting, fear, will tarnish the luster o
your laurels."
"You are mistaken" said the colonel
with a smile. "That mute is a herr
whose fame stands in the records of {
dozen battles, and almost as many blood.
duels. Besides, he is the tavorite ennis
sary and bosom friend of Houston. If
have the good fortune to kill him,
think the President will retract his vov
against venturing any more on the fell
of honor"
"You know him then? Who is he ?
asked several.
"Deaf Smith"
"Impossiblel 1t cannot be. Dea
Smith was slain at San Jacinto," replie
Judge Webb.
"There again your honor is mis-
taken," said Morton. "The story c
Smiths death is mere fiction, gotten u
by Houston for the purpose of saving hi
. friend from the vengeance OF sewers
, Texans. on whose conduct he had acte
the part of spy. Learned the artifce
year ago."
Then you are madman yoursel
colonel. Deaf Smith was never know
to miss his mark. He has been know
, to have brought down ravens in the
fight, and has picked off Comanches an
q Mexicans at a distance of two hundre
Q yards"
"The thing is settled. | fancy l can
| a little of that business myself"
$ "But for Gods sake" persisted tt
2 judge, becoming excited, 81 don't wal
you to be murdered"
!, "Who is going to be p asked the CT
s onel, as he coolly smoked his cigar al
a smiled in his usual way.
It "Why, you, if you undertake to fig
X Deaf Smith"
|, "This thing is all arranged, as / sa
Il few moments ago, and / wouldn't ba
d out if / was certain to be shot, for VIII
o. is death to dishonorp'
n Toward evening large crowd asset
rs bled at the place appointed for the me,
ing, and so reckless were the people
d, garding the issue at stake-a human Ii
is perhaps two-that there were all mann
D. of Jokes, and not few wagers laid up
IN the result.
as At length, as the sun sank below
Il bo,;.o,, +I,o 4xyo ,nnrtaI apfaonpiSto &