Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-05-12

Will as ne was courageous, anu ne Oh
couraged the general idea by Ills boast
ing. He swore by the honor of q Texan
that If General Houston removed the
records of the state from Austin, he
would himself hunt him down like a
wolf, and shoot him down like wolf,
and shoot him with little ceremony, or
stab him in bed, or even waylay him in
his walks of recreetion. He had the
audacity to write to the hero OF San
Jacinto to that effect. The general,
whom nothing could intimidate, an
swered his insulting note in the fol-
lowing characteristic brevity:
"If the citizens of Austin do not
send the archives, I shall certainly
come and take them; and if Colonel
Morton can kill me, he is welcome to
my ear-cap."
On the arrival of the presidents note
the colonel doubled the guard around
the state house; chosen sentinels were
stationed Along the avenues leading to
the building, and the military marched
through the streets of the disturbed
city from morning until night. A
continual session of the committee OF
safety was held IN the city hall; in
short, everything betokened the burst
ing of severe political storm over the
city.
One day, while matters were in this
boiling condition, the committee in
the city hall were surprised by the
sudden appearance of stranger,
whose mode OF entrance was as extra
ordinary as his looks and dress. He
did not knock at the closed door; he
did not seek admission there at all,
but climbing, unseen, SMALL. bushy-
topped live oak which grsw beside the
wall OF the building, he leaped with
out the slightest warning through a
high window, and was-immedlately in
the presence OF the committee. He
was dressed throughout in buckskin,
the seams of his trousers and coat
heavily fringed, and the front of the
latter beaded and porcupined, after
the fashion of q costly Indian garment.
He carried long rifle in his right
hand, wore at a button on his coat o
lsrge bowie knife. and in his belt a
brace of pistols. He was tall, straight
as an arrow. active and quick as a
panther il all his motions. q magnifi-
cent specimen of the old-time from
tiersman, genus long since van
ished.
His strange advent into the secret
session caused o. thrill OF involuntary
fear among its members, and many
seized the handles of their knives or
pistols.
"Who are you that dares intrude
amorg gentlemen without Deing in
vited ?"thundered out Colonel Morton,
at the same, time trying 10 cnw ~
stranger by his eye.
The stranger thus insolac.ig 2-
dressed, returned the coloneis gars
with compound interest, at til saeis
time laying his long, bonY f on
his aoatb, a,'a sign-but of r - FGs
Ecornmittes Tss IS q iess too l
H6i0 Safo you Speak
cut Oh answer out of you
yelled the colonel, almost
with rage by the calm, snee
ner Of the strange, who now Iemo,ea
the finger from his mouth, and laid it
on the hilt of an immense bowie.
The fiery colonel, on this move
ment. drew his dagger, and was in the
act of advancing towards the stranger,
when several of his friends interfered,
and holding him back, demonstrated:
"Let him alone, Morton. Don't you
see the man is crazy?"
At this iuncture, Judge Webb, a
man of fine intellect, and courteous
gentleman in all his manners, walked
toward the stranger, and addressed
him in most respectful style:
'My good friend, presume you
have made mistake in the house.
This is private meeting, where none
but members ore admitted"
The intruder did not, of course,
understand the words of the Judge,
but he could not fail to understand
the mild and gentle 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 traced one line:
sI am deaf" He then held it before
his audience, as sort of excuse for
his seeming lack of politeness.
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote question: "Will you be SO
oblieing as to inform us what is your
business with the meeting?"
The stranger acquiesced at once by
handing letter 1nscribed, ''ro the
citizens of Austin" The Judge broke
the seal and read the contents aloud.
II was from President Houston, and
showed the brevity of his style:
sFellow Cltizens-Though in error, and
deceived by the acts OF traitors, will give
you three more days TO. decide whether you
will surrender the public archives. at the
END OF that time you will please let me know
your decision.
''sAM HoUsroN."
Alter the document was read, the
deaf man waited a few seconds for an
answer, then turned sad was about to
leave the hall, when Colonel Morton
interposed, and sternly beckoned him
back to the table where he was still
sitting. The stranger obeyed, then
the colonel wrote:
"You were brave enough to insult
me by your threatening looks ten min.
utes ago; are you brave enough now
to give me satisfaction"
The stranger instantly wrote in an
swer: "I am at your service.
Colonel Morton wrote again: "Who
will be your tecond?"
The stranger answered with pen:
"I am too generous to seek an advan-
tage, and too brave to fear any on the
part of others; therefore, I never need