The Democratic advocate., 1883-10-06
Our Olto.
The Terrible Arm.

] from the ArEdllSdU 1TUCeCeT.
The building of railroad through the
Black mountains, in Arkansas, explained a
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 conveyance, the
road which crossed Black mountains was
regarded as the best in the State. At one
place the road wound around through a
narrow pass, on each side of which, rising
perpendicular for hundreds of feet, were
massive rock walls The pass was so narrow
that it required quite an experienced driver
to 90 through without striking the walls
This place was always so dark and gloomy
that the travelingpublic dreaded it, although
no depreciation had ever been committed
there, and many attempts had been made
to cut road by another route, but all OF
the attempts failed, and Rock pass still con-
tinued to be the gap through which the
stages were compelled to travel
One night, as the stage, loaded with
passengers, had gained the dreariest part OF
the pass, the horses stopped, and the driver
was heard to exclaim, "Great God y
"What's the matter?" demanded the
superintendent of the road, who happened
to be in the coach.
"Just come here p the driver said. II
amt no coward, an have fit many a man
in my life, but if this thing don't skeer me,
then I'm willin' to throw down the lines to
the first man that comes along.
The superintendent got out, and In a
few moments he was heard to say, "lf
had room here I'd run twenty miles with
out stopping. Never saw the like What
the deuce do you suppose it wants ?"
Money" came in voice like stifed
Shrek
Every one left the coach and edged along
the walls to get a view of the terrible some
thing in front. From the middle of the
road arose an enormous arm, with the sleeve
turned up. At the end of the arm, in the
most natural way possible, was large hand
pale and with subdued glow. The fingers
of the hand closed in a kind of circle, and
from the hand came the shrek. Every
one was frightened, and the driver, who
was regarded as the boldest man in the coun
try. sat and shook the lines so great wa:
his fright
II want money" again shrieked the
hand.
"Let us investigate this thing" sale
one of the passengers "After we leave
here and attempt to tell Of the adventure
we won't have anything to tell only tha
we became frightened and gave up oul
money to something we knew not what.
"I am with you, exclaimed the driver
sI never was blufed yet by any man an
I'll be blamed if don't agry with Satal
an feel of his weak points afore let hin
bluff me. Come on stranger, and thu
driver climbed down. The horses were 81
badly frightened that they shook in every
Joint, and the superintendent, having los
all control of his courage, allowed 1t to sllI
away from him while he leaned on one o
the coach wheels for support. The tw'
men approached the hand, which lowered
itself to receive them. La the INTEL
igeut passengers own words, we will Civ
his experience: "The closer drew to tn
appalling thing, the more confirmed beoam
nv impression that it was supernatural
Suddenly the hand reached down, seiZec
me and gave me shake that | can neye
forget. Its grasp was cold and sent ehil
through me. As soon as released L retreat
ed as fast as my trembling legs would carr.
me. The driver was more unfortunate
He attempted to grasp the hand, bu
was seized and hurled against the wal
with a force that stunned him. Regaininl
his feet after much difficulty, he staggered
away moaning as though every bone in hi
body had been broken" Just as this stag
of the unholy performance, the hand dreN
up its fingers ane shouted
~ want money. The tortured men II
hades demand money, and am their agent
Give me all your money and you may pass
Refuse and I will batter your stage coaci
to pieces against the walls.
aHow can we give you our money whe
YOU shake us and sling US around so
asked the intelligent passenger.
II will lie on the ground Approach
and deposit your money on my palm and
will not modest you.
| "Come, gentlemen" said the intelligen
passenger, "give me your money and L vii
surrender it. / am sure that this is tn
only way we can ever escape"
| Every one yielded and the intelllgen
passenger deposited the money in the han'
as it Law on the ground. Closing its fin
gers around the money, the hand disap
reared The driver mosnted the box tn
passengers resumed theil Aplaces and tia
stage proceeded on its joul ley.
Great excitement was Grated when th'
story was told in Little Rock, but many
matter-of-fact people were disposed to scot
at the passengers for their silly fears
David Caldron, wel[known blacksmith
ridiculed the passengers so mercilessly tina
there came very nearly being blood shed
Quite a number of the boldest men In tow
agreed to 90 back with the stage and in
vestigate the mystery =.
"Here's a chance for you, Dave, salc
Captain Lomal, addressing the blacksmith
II can't leave home" Caldron replied
II am not afraid, for I don't believe thar''
ANYTHING the matter out thar, but I've got
too much work to do at home, and, side;
all that, l amt got the money to spar fol
the trip
"The trip shall not cost you anything,
the captain declared.
II don't believe / want to go"
"You are afraid" said the captain
! ttvo,, s,o,t oround and lauph at others