Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1893-02-15

when several friends lntertered, and,
holding him back, demonstrated: "Lct
him alone, Morton, for Gods sake!
Don't you see the mans crazy?"
At this juncture Judge Webb, a
man of fine intellect and courteous
gentleman in all his department,
stepped toward the stranger and ad-
dressed him in most respectful style:
"My good friend, | presume you have
made mistake in the house. This is
Il private meeting, where none but
members are admitted"
The intruder did not appear to un-
derstand the words of the Judge, but
he could not fail to comprehend the
mild, deprecatory manner in which he
addressed him. His stern features re-
laxed Immediately, and, moving to-
ward a table in the middle of the room
on which were writing materials, he
took up a pen and traced one line: 81
am deaf" He then held it up before
his audience as sort of apology for
his apparent lack of politeness.
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote question: "Dear sir, will you
be so oblging as to inform us what is
your present business with the meet
ing ?"
The stranger responded promptly by
handing him a letter inscribed: "To
the citizens of Austin" The judge
broke the seal and read the contents
aloud. 1t was from President Hous-
ton, and showed the terseness of his
usual style:
"FELLow-C CITIZENS Though in err
ror, and deceived by traitors, | 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 document had been read
the man waited few seconds as if for
a reply, then turned and was about to
leave the hall when Colonel Morton
interposed and sternly beckoned him
back to the table again, where he was
still sitting. The stranger obeyed.
Then the colonel took up pen and
wrote: "You were brave enough to
insult me by your threatening looks 10
minutes ago; are you brave enough
now to give me satisfaction ?" The
stranger instantly penned his reply:
II am at your service"
Colonel Morton wrote again: "Who
will be your second"
The stranger answered with pen ~
am too generous to seek an advantage,
and too brave to fear any on the part of
others, therefore, I never need q Sec
ond." The colonel then wrote:
"Name your time"
Again the stranger traced, without
a moments hesitation: "Time, sunset
this evening place, the left bank of
the Colorado, opposite Austin weap-
ons, rifles, and distance 100 yards"
Then, taking three steps across the
floor, he disappeared.
After he had gone Judge Webb ex-
claimed:
"What is it possible Colonel Nor
ton, that you intend to fight that man?
He is mute, if not positive maniac.
Such meeting, l fear, will sadly tar
nish the lustre of your laurels."
"You are Mistaken" replied the
colonel with q smile, "that mute is a
hero, whose fame stands in the record
of dozen battles, and at last half as
many bloody duels. Besides, he is the
bosom friend of General Houston. If
I have the good fortune to kill him, |
think it will tempt the president to re-
tract his VOW against venturing any
more on the field of honor
"Who is he ?" inquired Il dozen
voices together.
"Deaf Smith," answered Colonel
Morton, coolly.
":Deaf Smith was killed at the bat
tie of San Jacinto," remarked Judge
Webb.
"Therc again your honor is mistak-
en-" said the colonel. "That story of
Smiths death was mere fiction, got
ten up by General Houston to save the
life of his favoritc from the sworn ven
geance of certain Texans into whose
conduct he had inquired as spy. |
found that out year ago"
"Well, if what you say be true, you
are madman yourself, Colonel Nor
ton," exclaimed Judge Webb, hotly.
"'Deaf Smith was never known to
miss his mark"
"Say no MORE" answered the colo
mel 81 have agreed to meet him.
There can be no disgrace in falling be-
fore such Il shot, and, if should sue
ceed, my triumph will confer greater
glory
Towards evening vast crowd as
sembled at the place appointed, to
witness the hostile meeting. SO great
was the popular recklessness concern
ing affairs of that character that large
sums of money were wagered on the
result.
At length the summer sun reached
the edge Of the horizon, covering it
with crimson glow. Then the two
mortal antagonists appeared on the
beach. armed with long, ponderous
rifles, and took their stations, back to
back. At preconcerted signal--the
waving of white handkerchief-they
walked Off slowly and steadily in op-
posite directions, deliberately counting
their steps until each had measured
so, when they wheeled. The face of
Colonel Morton was calm, but it bore
the smile of most murderous mean
ING. 'Deaf Smiths" countenance was
as stern and passionateless as ever.
The colonel was dressed in the richest
broadcloth; "Deaf Smith, in the ira
ditional smoke tinted buckskin. There
was pause of several seconds, and
then two rifles were discharged with
simultaneous voices. Colonel Morton
gave tremendous bound into the air
and dropped to the ground dead.
"Deaf Smith" stood erect and began
to reload his rifle, which, finishing, he
turned into the forest that bordered the
river.
Three days afterward General Hous.
ton, accompanied by "Deaf Smith and
ten other men, appeared in Austin,
and without opposition removed the
archives to Washington.
THE ORIGIN OF "DIXIE."
When slavery existed in New York,
one Dixy owned large number of
slaves. The increase of the slaves and
the increase of the abolition sentiment