The state herald., 1893-04-07

AASAA&4&6 AA4AA 8bSRt A044SAobt&pWaS
"Lct him alone, Morton, for Gods
sake! Don't you see the mans CRAZY ?"
At this juncture Judge Webb q
man Of fine intellect and u courteous
gentleman In oil his department,
stepped toward the stranger and ad-
dressed him in most respectful
style: "My good friend, I presume
you have made mistake In tho
house. This is private meeting,
where none but members are ad-
mitted."
The intruder did not appear to
understand the words OF the Judge,
but he could not fail to comprehend
the mild deprccatory manner in
which he addressed him. His stern
features relaxed Immediately, and,
moving toward table In the middle
OF the room on which were writing
materials, he took up pen and
wrote one line; II am deaf" Hc
then held 1t up before his audience
as sort of apology for his apparent
lack OF politeness.
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote a question: "Dcar sir, will you
BIO so obliging us to inform us what
is your present business with the
meetingP"
The stranger responded promptly
by handing him letter inscribed:
40 tho Citizens of Austin" Tho
judge broke the seal and read the
contents aloud. 1t was from Pres
ident Houston, and showed the terso.
ness of his usual style:
Fellow Citizens: Though In error. and de.
ceivcd by traitors, will give you three days
more TO decide whether you will surrender tue
public archives, AT the end OF that timo you
will please let me knew your dc 'ision.
SAN HOUSTON"
After tho document had been read
the man waited few moments us II
for reply, then turned and was
about to leave the hall when Colonel
Morton interposed and stornly beck
oned him back to the table again,
where he was still sitting. The stran-
ger obeyed. The colonel took up u
a pen and wrote: You were brave
enough to insult me by your threat
cning looks ten minutes ago; are you
brave enough to give me satisfac.
tion9" The stranger instantly pcnned
his reply: ii am at your service"
Colonel Morton wrote again: "Who
will be your secondP"
The stranger answered with pen:
II am too generous TO seek an ad-
vantage. and too brave TO fear
any on tho part OF others, therefore.
never need second" The colonel
then wrote: Name your time"
Again the stranger traced. without
moments hesitation: Time, sun
set this evening; place, the left bank
of the Colorado, opposite Austin;
weapons, rifles, and distance 100
yards" Then, taking three steps
across the floor, he disappeared.
After he had gone Judge Webb ex-
claimed; What! is 1t possible.
Colonel Morton. that you intend to
fight that man? lie Is II mute. II
not positive maniac. Such a meet
ing. ! fear. will sadly tarnish the
lustre OF your laurels. "
"Iou are mistaken" replied the
colonel with u smile. that mute Is "a
hero, whose fame stands In the
records Of dozen battles and at
least half us many bloody duols. Be-
sides, he is the bosom friend Of Gen
eral Houston. II have the good
fortune to kill him | think 1t will
tempt the president TO rctract his
vow against venturing any more on
the field OF honor"
"Who is hc?n inquired dozen
voices together.
Deaf smith, answered Colonel
Morton. coolly.
Deaf Smith was killed at tho
battle OF San Jacin'o.m remarked
Judge Webb.
There again your honor Ia mis-.
taken" said the colonel That story
OF Smiths death was mere fiction
gotten up by General Houston "a
save the life of his favori,e from the
sworn Vengeance Of certain Texans
into whose conduct he had inquired
Us spy. ] found that out . year ago,
well. II what you say be true. you
are mailman yourself, Colonel
Norton exclaimed Judge Webb.
hotly. Deaf Smith was never known
to miss his mark ="
"Say no more. answered the colo.
mel; ii have agreed to meet him.
There can be no disgrace In falling
before such u shot; and. II should
succeed. my triumph will confer
greater glory"
Towards evening n vast crowd as
semblcd a. the place appointed IA
witness the hostile meeting. 50
great wa, the popular rorklcssncss
concerning the affairs OF that charac-
ter that large sums Of money wcro
wagercd On the result
AT length the summer sun reached
tho edge Of the horizon. covering II
with a crimson glow. Then tho two
mortal antagonists appeared ON tho
beach. armed with long. pondorons
rihos, and took their stations, bacl,
10 back. a. n proconccrtcd signal
tho waving Of white handkerchief
they walked of slowly and steadily
In opposite directions. deliberately
counting thoir stops until each had
measured fi,y. when they whc.lea.
The face Of Colonel Morton was calm.
but II bore tho smile Of most muir.
dcrous meaning. deaf smiths
count.nanco WIS rs stern and pas
sionlcss ms ever. The colonel was
dressed In tho richest broadcloth
deaf Smith" IN the traditional
smokc.,lntcd buckslsin. There wns u
pause Of several seconds. and then
two rifles wore discharged with
simultaneous voices Colonel Morton
gave u tremendous bound Into the nir
and dropped 20 the ground dead.
Deaf Smith" stood cree, aud b,gan IA
rclond his rife. which. ilnishing. hc
turned Into the forcs, that bordcrcd
the river.
Three days aftcrward General
Houston Hepntnpanind lac lll4al