San Saba County news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1874-19??, 1893-04-14


gentleman In all his department
stepped toward the stranger and adj
dressed him in most respectful
style; "AIy good friend, presume
you have made mistake in thu
house. This Is a private meeting,
; where none but members are al
mitted.n
The intruder did not appear 4,
understand the words OF the judge
but he could not fail . comprehend
the mild deprecatory manner IL.
which no addressed him His stern
| features relaxed Immediately, AM
moving toward a table in the middl ,
OF the room on which were writir .
materials. he took up a pen ara
wrote one line: Il am deaf. lie
then held it up before his audien {
as sort of apology for his apparert
lack of politeness.
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote a question: Dear sir, will yen
be SO obIjging as to inform u wlat
is your present business with the
meetinS?'
The stranger responded promptly
by handing him a letter Inscribed;
ITO tho Citizens of Austin. The
judge broke the seal and read the
contents aloud. 1t was from Tres
ident Bclston. and showed the tsrse-
ness of his usual style;
sFeiio7, Citizens: Tho1gh in error. aaa de-
ceised by .Saitors, I will give yoi tarss days
more to defde whether you will surrender is
public archives At the cal OF that time YOU
will please let me knew your de isiol.
SAN HoUscoS."
Aftcr tire document hal been read
the man waited a few moments as if
for a reply. then turned ard was
abolt to leave the hall when Colonel
Morton ltterposed and sternly beck
oned him hack to the table again,
whore he was still sitting. The stran-
ger obeyed The colonel took up a
a pe1 and wrote: "Yon wero bravo
enough to insult me by your threat
ening LOOKS ten minutes ago; are You
brave enOJgh to give me satisfac-
tion:' The stranger instantly penned
his reply: Il am at your sery ice"
Colonel Morton wrote again: who
will re your second?n
The stranger answered with pen:
II an too generous to sesk an ad-
vantage, AID too brave to fear
any on the part of others, therefore,
l never need a second. Tie colonel
then wrote: Name your tine
Again tho stranger traced, without
a moments hesitation: Time, sun
set this evening; place, the left bank
of tho Colorado, opposite Austin;
weapons, rifles, and distance 100
yards Thsn, taking three steps
across the floor, he disappeared.
After he had gone Judge Webb cx-
claimed: What, is it possible.
Colonel Morton, that you intend to
fight that man? He is a mute, if
not a positive maniac. Such Il meet
ing, l fear, will sadly tarnish the
lustre of your laurels"
You are mistaken, replied the
colonel with a smile. "that mute is
hero, whose fame stands in the
records OF a dozen battles and at
least half as many bloody duels. Be
sides, no is the bosom friend Of Cen
eral Houston. II ] have the good
fortune tS kill him, | think it viii
tempt the president to retract his
vow against venturing any more on
the field of honor.
who is he?n inquired E dozen
voices together.
. Deaf Smith" answered Colonel
Morton, coolly.
Deaf Smith was killed at the
battle of San Jacinto." remarked
Judge Webb.
There again your honor is mis-
taken said the colonel That story
OF Smiths death was a mere fiction
gotten up by General Houston to
save the life of his favorite from the
sworn vengeance of certain Texans
into whose conduct he had inquired
as spy. l found that out year ago"
well, if what you say be true, you
are a mailman yourself, Colonel
exclaimed Judge Webb,
hotly, deaf Smith was never known
TO miss MS marx
Say no more, - answered the colo
mel; Il have agreed to meet him.
There can be no disgrace in falling
before such a shot; and, If l should
succeed, my triumph will confer
greater glory"
Towards evening a vast crowd as
sembled at the place appointed to
the hostile meeting. So
great was the popular recklessness
the affairs of that charac-
ter that large sums of money we're
wagered on the result.
At length the summer sun reached
the edge of the horizon, covering it
with a crimson glow. Then the two
mortal antagonists appeared on the
beach, armed with long. ponderous
rifles, and took their stations, back
to back. At a preconcerted signal
the waving of a white handkerchief
they walked off slowly and steadily
in opposite directions, deliberately
their steps until each mad
fifty, when they wheeled.
nt idII VI 1OAoAlbl 4IbI tDll vas Edllal-
but it bore the smile of a most muir
derous meaning. deaf Smiths"
was as stern and pas
sionless as ever. The colonel was
dressed in the richest broadcloth;
Deaf Smith in the traditional
smoke-tinted bucksl1in. There was a
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 chat bordered
the river.
Three days afterward General
Houston, accompanied by Deaf
smith" and ten other men, appeared
in Austin. and without opposition re-
moved the archives to Washington
\. Y. Recorder.
The Chance OF His Life.
Mr. Henpeck-My life is miserable.
Friend What's the matter?
"Ah. nv wife is always haring m