The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-01
THE TERRIBLE ARM.

The building OF railroad through
the Black Mountains, in Arkansas, ex-
planned mystery which for years was
regarded as beyond the power of earthly
agencies to solve.
Years ago when all travelling was
done by stage coach or private convey
ance, the road which crossed the Black
Mountains was regarded as the best n
the State. At one place the road
wound round through narrow pass,
on each side of which, rising perpen-
dicularly for hundreds of feet, were
massive rock walls. The pass was SC
narrow that it required quite an ex-
perienced driver to go through withoul
striking the walls. This place was
always so dark and gloomy that the
travelling public dreaded it, although
no depredations had even been COM
nlitted there, and many attempts had
been made to cut a road by another
route, but all Of the attempts failed,
aud Rock pass still continued to be the
gap through which the stages were
compelled to travel.
One night, as the stage, loaded with
passengers, had gained the drearies
part of the pass, the horses stopped, and
the driver was heard to exclaim,
"Great Godl"
"What's the matterp" demanded
the superintendent of the road, who
happened to be in the coach.
''Just come herel' the driver said
81 amt no coward, an have fit many
man in my life. but If this thing
don't skeer me, then Pm willin' tC
throw down the lines to the first mar
that comes along"
The superintendent got out, and il
few moments he was heard TO say
''If l had room here I'd run twenty
miles without stopping. Never saw
the like in my life. What the deuce dc
you suppose it wantsp"
"Moneyl" came in voice like stiff
led cry.
Every one left the coach and edged
along the walls to get view of thu
terrible something in front. From thu
middle of the road arose an enormous
arm, with the sleeve turned up. A
the end of the arm, in the most natura
way possible, was large hand, pail
and with subdued glow. The finger
of the hand closed in kind of circle
and from the hand came the shrek
Every one was frightened, and tn,
driver, who was regarded as the bodies
man in the country, sat and shook tn,
lines so great was his fright.
81 want money!" agaiu shrieked tn
hand.
"Let us investigate this thing,
said one of the passengers. "Afte
we leave here and attempt to tell o
the adventure, we won't have anything
to tell only that we became frightene,
and gave up our money to something
we knew not what"
81 am with you," exclaimed the dri
yer. 81 never was bluffed yet by an
man, an I'll be blamed if don't arg
with Satan am feel of his weak point
afore 1 let him bluff me. Come Oh
stranger" and the driver climbed down
The horses were so badly frightene
that they shook in every joint, and tn
superintendent, having lost all contrC
of his courage, allowed it to slip ava
from him while he leaned on one Q
the coach wheels for support. The tw
men approached the hand, which low
cred itself to receive them, In tn
intelligent passengers own words, "
will give his experiences: "The closer
drew to the appalling thing, the NOR
confirmed became my impression tina
z was supernatural. Suddenly til
hand reached down, seized me an
gave me shake that l can never fol
get. Its grasp was cold and sent
, chill through me. As soon as release
l retreated as fast as my tremblin
legs would carry me. The driver wa
more unfortunate. He attempted I
! grasp the hand, but was seized an
hurled against the wall with forc
that stunned him. Regainng his fe,
after much difficulty, he staggere
E away moaning as though every bone
= his body had been broken"
Just at this stage of the unholy pc
formance, the hand drew up its fingel
3 and shouted
r 81 want money. The tortured me
in hades demand money, and am the
A agent. Give Inc all your money al
a you may pass. Refuse and will ba
ter your stage coach to pieces again
the walls"
"HOw can we give you our mon,
p when you shake us and sling us aroul
L. SOP" asked the intelligent passenger.
n, 81 will lie on the ground. ApproaC
y " and deposit your money on my pal
i. and ! will not molest YOU"
81 "Come, gentlemen" said the intel
gent passenger, "give me your mon