The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1878-03-23
you not see that he is crazy?"

you not see that he is crazy?"
| At this moment Judge Webb, @
man of shrewd and courteous man
ners, stepped forward and address,
ed the intruder courteously:
"My good friend, presume you
have made n mistake in the house.
This is private meeting where
none but members are admitted"
The stranger did not appear to
comprehend the words, but lie did
the courtesy. Waltzing to q table
in the centre of tho hall he seized
O pen and traced one line, "I am
deaf"
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote question "Dear sir:-Will
you be so obliging as to inform us
meeting7"
The stranger at once handed him
a letter, inscribed 'To the Citizens
of Austin" He broke the seal and
read it aloud. It was from Hous-
ton: l.
"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 you will please
let mo know your decision.
"SAM Houston"
After the reading the doaf man
waited for few seconds, as if for
reply, and thon turned and was
about to leave the hall when Col.
Morton sternly beckoned him back
to the table. The strangev obeyed,
and Morton wrote:
"You were brave enough to insult
me by your threatening looks ten
minutes ago are you brave enough
now to give me satisfaction 7"
The stranger penned his reply:
II am at your service u
Morton wrote again: "Who will
be your second :"
The stranger rejoined II am
too generous to seek an advantage,
and too bravo to fear any on the
part of others; therefore never
need the aid of q second"
Morton wrote "Name your
terms"
The stranger wrote without a
moments hesitation "Time, sun
set this evening place, the left
bank of the Colorado, opposite Aus
tin weapons, rifles, and distance
100 yards. DO not fail to be in
time. "
He then walked across the floor
and disappeared through the win
dow as suddenly as he had entered
"What," exclaimed Judge Webb,
"is it possible you intend to fight
that man, Colonel He is mute,
if not maniac. Such meeting, +
fear, will sadly tarnish your laurels."
"You are mistaken" said Morton,
with smile "that mute is hero
who stands in the records of
dozen battles, and at least half as
many bloody duels. Besides, he is
favorite emissary and bosom friend
of Houston. If T have the. good
fortune to kill him, I think it will
tempt the President to retract his
VOW aginst venturing any more upon
the field of honor"
"You know the man then 7 Who
is he ?" asked twenty voices together.
"Deaf Smith"
'No, that cannot be. Deaf Smith
was killed at San Jacinto," said
Judge Webb.
'There, again, your Honor is lnis.i
taken," said Morton. "The story
of Smiths death was a mere fiction.
gotten up by Houston to save the
life Of his favorite from the sworn
vengeance Of certain Texans, on
whose conduct he had acted as
spy. I found that out twelve
months ago"
"Then, you are q madman your
self !" exclaimed Webb. "Deaf (
Smith was never known to miss his
mark"
"The thing is settled" said Nor
ton 81 have agreed to meet him
There can be no disgrace in falling
before such q shot, and if I kill him
it will be the greatest feat Of my
life" - 6
Toward evening vast crowd as
sembled 10 witness the meeting, and
80 great was the popular reckless
ness rs to affairs of this sort that
bets were offered and taken on all
sides upon the result. At sunset
the two men arrived, with long,