Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-10-04

disappeared. The driver mounted the
box, the passengers resumed their places
and the stage proceeded on its journey.
Great excitement was created when the
story was told in Little Rock, but many
matter-of-fact people were disposed to
scoff at the passengers for their silly
fears. David Caldron, well-known
blacksmith, ridiculed the passengers SO
mercilessly that there came very nearly
being blood shed. Quite number Of
the boldest men in town agreed to go
back with the stage and investigate the
mystery.
"Here's chance for you, Dave" said
Captain Lomal, addressing the black
smith.
"I can't leave home" Caldron replied.
'sI am not afraid, for I don't believe
thar's anything the matter out thar, but
Pve got too much work to do at home,
and, sides all that, amt got the money
to spar for the trip"
"The trip shall not cost you anything, "
the captain declared.
"I don't believe I want to CO."
"You are afraid said the captain.
" You snort around and laugh at others,
but when the time for showing your met
tie comes you back out like the coward
you are. You needn't get mad, for you
know you are coward"
The blacksmith, whose courage had
never before been disputed, bit his lips
and walked away.
Captain Lomal rode on the seat with
the driver "Tell me-" the captain said,
"when we get nearly to the place"
"We are nearly there, " said the driver,
after few moments.
The captain examined his pistols.
"For Gods sake, exclaimed the driver
"don't shoot. tell you the thing, what
ever it is, amt to be fooled with
"Leave that to me-" the captain re-
piled. "Hello, what's this9n
The horses stopped, and the driver
whispered, "That's it,"
The arm arose. The white, phosphor-
escent hand CLEANED with pale light.
The captain, despite the whispered pro-
testations of the driver, leveled a pistol
and fred.
The hand laughed.
The captain leveled another pistol and
fired.
The hand laughed again.
The passengers got out of the coach
and the captain dismounted. HThis is
certainly very wonderful" he said.
Bruxton, what do you think of it,"
"I don't know, !" replied the person ad-
dressed. "Neyer saw anything like it
before, and 1 hope never shall again. F"
"What do you want2" the captain de-
manded of the hand.
money. Your relations in hades are
suffering. Your grandfather is urging
you to relieve him. Satan holds his note
for fifty dollars and he will burn until it
is paid"
"You are liar, J" vociferated the cap
tan.
hand drew up its fingers and
laughed, such horrible, shrill shrieking
laugh that old Bruxton turned to one of
the adventures and remarked, "Wish I
hadn't come"
"I'm going to see what that is" the
captain declared. 81 have come here
to investigate, and I'm going to inyesti-
gate"
Don't go near itp' implored the
driver. g Come backi' but the captain
pressed forward When within a few
feet of the hand the captain stopped and
turned back, but too late, for the hand
seized him. 1t whipped him against the
ground, tossed him up and caught him
and shook him again The poor fellow
yelled and begged his companions to
come to his assistance, out paralyzed by
fear, they stood, seemingly unable to
move. When the captain was released
he hobbled back to the stage and i'm
plored his friends to give up their valu-
ables. The hand stretched itself on the
ground, and Bruxton, after being assured
that he would not be harmed, deposited
the money in its palm. Then the hand
disappeared. When the stage reached
the next town the villagers were thrown
into high state of excitement. The adj
venturers would not return by the Rock
Pass route, but walked over the noun
tain. When they reached Little Rock,
the captain sought David Caldron, the
blacksmith, and apologized to him.
The road was abandoned, for people
actually were afraid to go through the
pass. Sometimes private vehicles, owned
by adventurers would go through the
pass, but never without being stopped by
the hand until long time afterward,
when the hand failed to appear, but the
memory of the terrible arm deferred the
stage company from ever afterward re-
suming their business as public carriers.
David Caldron would never 60 to the
place. Several years after the first ex-
citement caused by the hand, he dis
appeared suddenly and every one decided
that he had been murdered.
Several days ago while railroad work
men were cutting through Rock
pass, they suddenly broke into a
cavity. Near the center of the
place they found skeleton under
- 4l.1 Ii e.11 r. -.