St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-08

dressed him. His stern features re-
laXed Immediately, and. moving toward
a table in the middle of the room on
which were writing materials, he took
up pen and traced one line: II am
deaf" He then held it up before his
audience as sort of apology for his
apparent lack of polteness.
Judge Webb took the paper and wrote
question:: dear sir, will you be so
obliging as to inform us what is your
present business with the meetings"
The stranger responded promptly by
handing him letter inscribed, 10 the
Citizens of Austin" The judge broke
the seal and read the contents aloud. 1t
was from President Houston, and
showed the terseness of his usual style:
Fellow Citizens: Though in error,
and deceived by traitors, will give you
three days more to decide whether you
will surrender the public archives. AT
thelend of that time you will please let
Inc know your decision.
ii SAM Houston"
After the document had ueen read the
man waited few seconds, as if for a
reply, then turned and was about to
leave the hall when COL Morton inter-
posed, 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 ten minutes
ago: are you brave enough now to give
me satisfaction?" The stranger in
stantly penned this reply: Il am at
your service
Col. 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 tie part of
others, therefore, | never need a
second" 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; weapons,
rifles, and distance. a hundred yards"
Then. taking three steps across the
floor, he disappeared.
After he had gone Judge Webb eX-
claimed: What! Is it possible, Col.
Morton. that you intend to fight that
man? He is mute, il not positive
maniac. Such IL meeting, fear, will
sadly tarnish the luster of your lau-
rels."
You are Mistaken" replied the COL
Onel, with smile; that mute is hero.
whose fame stands in the records of
dozen battles. and at least half as many
bloody duels. Besides, he is the bosom
friend of Gen. Houston. If have the
good fortune to kill him, think it will
tempt the president to retract his VOW
against venturing any more on the field
of honor"
"Who is hep" inquired a dozen voices
together.
.Deaf Smith," answered Col. 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 mere fiction,
gotten up by Gen. Houston to save the
life of his favorite 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 a mailman yourself, Col. Norton"
exclaimed Judge Webb, holly. "'Deaf
Smith was never known to miss his
mark"
"Say no more" answered the colonel;
Il have agree to meet him. There can
be no disgrace in falling before such a
shot, and. if | should succeed, my
triumph will confer greater glory"
Toward evening 4 vast crowd assem-
bled at the place appointed to witness
the hostile meeting. So great was the
popular recklessness concerning affairs
OF that character that large sums of
money were wagered upon 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
white Misunderstanding walked off
slowly and steadily in opposite direc-
lions, deliberately counting their steps
until each had measured fifty. when
they wheeled. The face of Col. Morton
was calm, BUTT bore the smile of most
murderous meaning. Deaf Smiths"
cOuntenance was as stern ana pasSlonlesS
as ever. The colonel was dres ;ed in the
richest brOadcioth' deaf Smitlp' in the
traditional! smoke tinted buckskin.
There was a pause Tor several seconds.
and then two rifles were discharged
with simultaneous voice. Col. Morton
gave tremendous bound into the air
and dropped to the ground dead. deaf
Smith stood erect and began to re load
his rifle. which finishing. he, turned into
the forest that b0rderei the ri yer.
Three days afterward Gen. Houston,
accompanied by Deaf Smith" and ten