Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-03-24

One day this committee were surprised
by the sudden appearance Of a stranger
whose mode of entering the room was as
extraordinary as his looks and dress He
did not knock at the closed door, but
climbing a small, bushy topped live oak,
which grew beside the wall, he leaped
through lofty window. He was clothed
in buckskin, carried long and heavy rifle
in his hand, wore at the bottom of his left
suspender large bowie knife, and had
in his leathern belt a couple of pistols,
half the length Of his gun. He was tall,
straight as an arrow, active as a panther
| in his motions He had a,dark complex
ion, luxuriant, jetty hair, and piercing
black eyes.
"Who are you who thus presumes to in
trude among gentleman without invita-
tion?" demanded COL Morton in his most
ferocious manner.
The stranger returned his stare with
compound interest. and laid his long bony
finger on his lip.
"Who are you? Speak! or I'll cut an
answer out Of your hearth" shouted Nor
ton. The stranger removed his niger
from his lip, and laid it on the hilt Of his
monstrous knife.
The fiery Colonel drew his own knife,
but was seized and held back. "Let him
alone, Morton, for Gods sake exclaimed
his friends. "Do you not see that he is
! LraZy?'
| At this moment, Judge Webb, man
of shrewd and courteous manners, stepped
forward and addressed the intruder
courteously:
>sMy good friend, presume you have
made mistake in this house. This is 9
| private meeting, where none but mem
bers are admitted:
The stranger did not appear to com
prehend the words; but he did the court
esy. Waiting to table in the centre
OF the hall he seized pen and traced
one line, II am deaf"
Judge Webb took the paper and wrote
a question: 'sDear Sir: Will you be so
obliging as to inform us what is your
business with the meeting?"
The stranger at once handed him let
ter inscribed: "To the citizens Of Austin"
was from Houston:
FELLOW CITIZENS: Though in error, and
deceived BY the arts of traitors, l 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 me know
| your decision. SAM HoUsToN
After the reading the deaf man waited
for few seconds, as if for reply, and
then turned and was about to leave the
hall when Colonel Morton sternly beck
oned him back to the table. The stran.
ger 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 salts
faction?"
The stranger penned his reply: 81 am
at your service!''
Morton wrote again: 'sWho will be
your second?"
The stranger rejoined: lam too gener-
GUS to seek an advantage, ana too brave
to fear any on the part of others; there
fore never need the aid of a second
/ Morton wrote: Shame your terms
The stranger w1ote, without moments
| hesitation: "Time, sunset this evening;
place, the left bank of the Colorado, op-
posite Austin; weapons, rifles; and dis
lance 100 yards. Do not fail to be in
| time.''
| He then went across the floor, and dis
appeared through the window as sud
denly as he entered.
What!' exclaimed Judge Webb, sis
| it possible you intend to fg ht that man
colonel? He is mute, if not a maniac
Such meeting, fear, will sadly tarnlsh
your laurels.'
You are mistaken said Morton, with
I smile;" that mute is hero whose name
| ofo dc no 81 =
and at least halr as may bloody due]s
, Besides, he is favorite emissary and
bosom friend of Houston. If / have the
good fotune to kill him, it will tempt thu
president to retract his vow against ventur
ing any more upon the field of honor
"You know the man, then? Who i.
he?" said twenty voices together.
Deaf Smith"
2 mo, that cannot be. Deaf Smith wa
r killed at San Jancinto," said Judg.
Webb.
There, again." your honor is mis-
: taken,' said Morton. The stor,
g Of Smiths death was mere fiction
9 got up by Houston to save the life Of hi!
: favorlte from the sworn vengeance of Ger
e tain Texans, On whose conduct he haC
: acted as spy. found that out lively,
: month ago.
"Then, you are mailman YOURSELF!
i exclaimed Webb. .sDea1 Smith wa.
: never known to miss his mark
"The thing is settled, . said Morton, q.
$ have agreed to meet him. There can b.
t no disgrace in falling before such shot
: and if | kill him it will be the creates
T feat of my life,''
4 Toward evening vast crowd Assem-
bled to witness the meeting, and so grea
: was the popular recklessness as to affair
: Of this sort that bets were offered ant
e taken on all sides upon the result. A
q sunset the two men arrived, with Ions
e heavy rifles, took their places, back t
/ back, and at a signal walked slowly ant
e steadily off in opposite directions, count
ing their steps uuil each had measured