Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-03-05

v
Jetty hair, and piercing black syes.
"Nh no are you who thus pre-
sumes TO intrude among gentlemen
without invitation % demanded
Col. Morton, in his most ferocious
manner.
The stranger returned his stare
with compound interest, and laid
his long, bony fiuger on his lip.
"Who are you? Speak Or I'll
cut an answer out OF your heart 7"
shouted Morton. The stranger re-
moved his finger 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 crazy ?"
At This moment Judge Webb, a
man OF shrewd and courteous man
ners. stepped forward aud ad-
dressed the intruder courteously
my good friend, / presume
you have made mistake in the
house. This is a private meeting
where none but members are ad-
mitteJ."
The stranger did not appear TO
comprehend the words, but he did
the courtesy. Walking to a table
in the center of the hall he seized
pen aad traced one line, 81 am
deaf.n
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote q question: "Dsar sir =
Will you be so obliging as to in
form US what is your business
with the meeting? ?"
The strangerat once handed him
letter, Inscribed, ITO the Citi-
zens of Austin" He broke the
seal and read it aloud. 1t was
from Houston:
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 this 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 Col.
Morton sternly beckoned him
back TO the table. The stranger
obeyed and Morton wrote:
"You were brave enough to in
suit me by your threatening looks
ten minutes ago are you BRAY q
enough now to give me satisfa6-
ton ?'
The stranger penned his reply;
81 am at your service %
Morton wrote again: "Who
will be your second ?"
The stranger rejoined: II am
too generous to seek an advant-
age, 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
moments hesitation: "Time, sun
set this evening; place, the left
bank of the Colorado, opposite
Austin weapons, rifles, and dis
lance 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 enter
cd.
What" exclaimed Judge
Webb. lis it possible you intend
to fight that man, Colonel? He
is a mute, if not maniac. Such
a meeting, l fear, will sadly ,arn.
ish your laurels."
"You are mistaken said Nor
ton, with q smile: that mute 10 a
hero whose name 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. III
/ have the good fortune to kill
him, | think it will tempt the
President to retract his vow
against venturing any more upon
the field of honor
"You know the man, then ?
Who is hep asked twenty voices
together.
deaf Smith,"
"No, that can not be, Deaf
Smith was X lied at San Jacinto,'
said Judge Webb.
There, again, your Honor is
mistaken" said Morton. 1.-THE
story of Smiths death was a mere
fiction, got up by Houston to save
the life of his favorite from the
sworn vengeance of certain Tex
ans, on whose conduct he had act
ed as q spy. / found that out
twelve months ago."