The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-02-12
A CORPsE-LIKE HAND.
The Secret of Man Who Had
Been Guilty of Blasphemy.
Terrible Nightmare in a Strange Hotel
Swift Retribution Visited Upon Bias
phomer Who, Afflicted with Lep-
rosy, Commits Suicide.

"There are strange things in this
world" said an old newspaper man
whose hair was gray twenty years ago,
to Denver Daily News reporter. "I'm
not much Of believer in supernatural
occurrences, but when plain fact
comes into my experience am willing
to admit it. What / am going to tell
you know and am satisfied with. You
may or may not, just as suits you.
"You remember he began, ''the time
President Cleveland visited Minneapo-
lis and what a crowd was there? The
State fair and one or two other things
attracted people enough; but the Presi-
dents presence drew every one in the
State, 1t seemed to me. was on Chi
cago paper at that time and got an as
signment to go up and take in the COM
bined show. When stepped up to the
counter of the leading hotel to register
noticed that the man in front Of me,
who had just laid down the pen, was
also newspaper man from Chicago.
There wasn't any thing special about
his appearance except that he was un-
usually tall and thin, and didn't look
very well. Naturally, when had
put down my name / turned to him
and introduced myself. We shook
hands and began to chat. While
we were doing this the old man who
was proprietor Of the hotel was inspect
ing his room rack. Turning to us he
said that there was only one empty
room in the house and that we were
welcome to it II we would double up.
That suited me all right, but the tall
man objected vigorously. / was little
huffed over it and said that he could
have the room II he was so selfish over
1t. could sleep in chair or walk the
streets all night. / had often done so
before.
"'0h, no. said the tall man, 1t isn't
that. snore SO badly that no one else
could sleep in the room. was thinking
Of YOU --
81 laughed at the idea and assured
him that would sleep as soon as I
struck the bed. Finally he gave in and
we agreed to take the room together. 1t
was little bit Of cubby hole at the
top Of the house, and the only furniture
in 1t was a common bed and two wooden
chairs, Another Chicago newspaper
man who heard we were there came up
to see us, and the three OF US sat there
and talked until supposed 1t was two
o'clock in the morning Neither my
self nor the visitor could recollect any
thing unusual about the behavior Of the
tall man when we comeared notes after
ward. At last we said goodnight and
went TO bed. f
81 don't know how long slept, and,
In fact, have never been able to bring
up perfectly clear recollection OF
what happened in that room. 1t seemed
to me that woke up in about five
minutes, but 1t must have been longer.
My first feeling was one of fearful dread.
There was not sound from the man
at my side. A huge lump of ice seemed
to be on my chest and press me down.
was suifocating. / tried to shout, but
could not emit syllable. 1t was only
after a long struggle, that brought sweat
pouring out all over me, that l could
raise my hand to the inert freezing mass
on my chest.
at was pLlseless hand, the hand Of
a corpse, that clasped. dropped 1t in
horror and climbed nervously out OF bed.
The moonbeams came in through the
little dust-covered window and played
across the pale face sunk In the pillows.
The feeling of the hand was still on my
chest. could not overcome the fright
full sensation Of helplessness. l lit the
gas and proceeded TO call for help. Then
It was, in the better light, that saw he
was not dead. / went to his side TO look
at his hand, but some movement OF mine
awoke him, and he softly pulled it
under the counterpane. could not go
TO bed, and remained up oil night.
"In the morning when spoke Of the
affair the tall man laughed and said |
must have been dreaming, as did the
landlord; so did my newspaper friend.
could not answer them, but l felt that
some strange mystery was hidden that
night in the little room.
"shortly afterward the news came
over the wires that my companion OF
that night had committed suicide under
circumstances Of almost inconceivable
horror. A few days after letter came
10 me from him. He had written IL and
left II on his table the night he took his
life. Itsolved the mystery.
"The Christmas night before I met
him In Minneapolis he was drinking In
4 saloon in Chicago with several friends.
He made the remark: 4 suppose we
have to again celebrate the birth Of q
humbug.' One Of his companions asked
him not TO speak that way, upon the
ground that II would be 4 personal
favor. This led TO argument. The
blasphemer said: Prove 10 me that
there is God His friend said: Prove
70 me that there Is not God
"The all man drew himself erect and
raised his arm on high. 4 will call upon
God, II he is q God, said he, TO strike
me dead right here where stand
''Those around drew back, but no
miracle followed. The tall man laughed
at his young friend. They parted for
the night, perhaps little solemnly, but
not much was thought OF the matter.
"one week later q strange pain de-
veloped in that arm and In less than q
a a A a = d