Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-05-27

you see the man is crazy p
At this juncture, Judge Webb, a
man of fine intellect, and a courteous
gentleman in all his manners, walked
toward the stranger, and addressed
him in most respectful style:
MY good friend, I presume you
have made a mistake in the house.
This is a private meeting, where none
but members are admitted. y
The intruder did Lot, of course, un-
derstand 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 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 before
his audience, as a sort of excuse for
his seeming lack of politeness.
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote a question "Will you be so
obliging as to inform us what is your
business with the meeting?"
The stranger acquiesced at once by
handing letter inscribed, "To the
citizens of Austin" The Judge broke
the seal and read the contents aloud.
1t was from President Houston, and
showed the brevity of his style:
Fellow Citizens-Though in error,
and deceived by the acts Of traitors, l
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 HoUsToN.'
After the document was read, the
deaf man waited a few seconds for an
answer, then turned and 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 NE satisfaction p
The stranger instantly wrote in an
swer: q am at your service.
Colonel Morton wrote again: "Who
will be your second p
The stranger answered with pen:
81 am too generous to seek an advan-
tage, and too brave to fear any on the
part of others; therefore, I never need
the aid of a second. ~
The colonel wrote: Name your
time.
Again the stranger traced, without
moments hesitation: "Time, sunset
this evening place, the left bank of
the Colorado, opposite Austin; weap-
ons, rifles, and distance a hundred
yards. Do not fail to be on time.
Then taking three steps across the
floor, he disappeared through the same
window he had entered.
After he had gone Judge Webb ez-
claimed: "What is it possible, Col
onel Morton, that you intend to fight
that man? He is a mute, if not an
absolute maniac. Such a meeting, |
fear, will sadly tarnish the lustre Of
your laurels." "
"You are mistaken, answered the
colonel with smile. THAT mute is
hero, whose fame stands in the records
of dozen battles, and at least half as
many duels. Besides, he is the favor
ite emissary and bosom friend Of Cen
eral Houston. If I have the good for
tune to kill him, I think it will cause
the president to take back his VOW
against venturing any more on the
field of honor
"You know the man, then? Who
is he?" inquired half dozen voices
together.
Deaf Smith" answered Colonel
Morton, coolly.
"Why, no; that cannot be. Deaf
Smith was killed at the battle Of San
Jacinto, remarked Judge Webb.
There again your honor is mista-
ken, said the colonel. THAT story
of Smiths death was a mere fiction,
gotten up BY General Houston to save
the life of his favonte from the sworn
vengeance of certain Texans on whose
conduct he had acted as SPY. l found
that out year ago.
We'll, if what you say be true, you
are a madman yourself Colonel Nor
ton, exclaimed Judge Webb. Deaf
Smith was never known to miss his
mark"
"say no more, answered the colo
mel "the thing is already decided l
have agreed to meet him. There can
ha M DISGRACE in falling before such a