Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-09-07
The Phantom Hunter.

Not far from Westminster Md besuii.
ful stream makes its way between bigh bills
and through open fields and denseiy wood
ed valleys until il reaches spot bst%aen
two lofty summits. Across this valley many
years ago was built dam 30 feet high. Not
far below is the old fashioned mill, whose
water wheel is never still, bet, turning
ceaselessly, makes music for the old miller,
who still plies his trade as though, almost
within hearing, steam flour mills did not
turn out 1000 barrels of -four every day.
Passing By the mill few days ago the
Herald correspondent was startled by the
silence of the old mill, and entered to en-
quire the cause To his question as to
whether he was going to give up the mill,
the old man replied:
"Oh no, but don't you know that this
evening the August moon will be full?"
"Certainly, but why should the moon IS
getting full stop your mill ?n asked the new.
paper man.
"Well, sir, will tell you said the mil
Ter. MANY years ago one Of the most reck-
less and dare devil fellows in this country
laid wager that he would on horseback
ride down and capture fox that bad baf
fled hunters and hounds in every chase, if
be were compelled to ride into the
other world. On the morning follow
ing the full moon in August, 1S40, the
body of the young farmer, whose name l
will not mention, for his children snd grand.
children live not far from this place, and
are among the most respected people in
the community, was found upon the banks
of the dam. Just below him lay his horse,
and, young man, tell you, you don't see
such horses around hero now-sbe was
beauty. Both were dead. How it all hap.
pened no one knew, and for year the mys-
terry remained un9olved, but on tho night of
the full moon 10 August, 1S41-1 was
young fellow then-I was running the mill,
and about midnight feeling OF the desc.
lateness of the place came over me. | had
never been lonely before. The dog, which
always slept on the porch, came 10 my door
whining, and when I let him in crawIed un-
der my bed The noise of the rushing Of
the water and the turning Of the wheel
drowned all sounds from without. and, al
though my nervousness continued through
out the night until day dawned, 1 could not
account for my condition. In the morning
I was ashamed to speak to anyone of my
experience, and in few weeks it was for
gotten.
"This same experience was repeated for
FIVE succeeding years before began to asso-
ciate it with the August full moon. Then,
when began to feel the sensation of loneli.
ness and fear went to the door of the mill
and looked toward the dam. The night was
8 perfect one. Just overhead hung the full
moon, and glistening like FURNISHED silver
under her rays I could follow with my eye
for many hundred yards the winding course
of the stream. While I was looking,
far up the west side of the stream
I saw q moving object, which ra.
pidly drew near. AS it approached
beheld sight which filled me
with horror and held me motionIess. Both
horse and rider were as white as the morn.
ing mist, but from their eyes fire seemed to
flash, and in the man | recognized Jack Il
had almost mentioned his name), who was
found dead six years before. As they reach
ed the breast of the dam l saw just before
the ghostly rider fox running with zgzag
course, as though seeking to avoid capture.
Across the dam they flew, until about mid
way; then saw the rider lean forward, as
with muttered curse-and, strange to say,
I could distinctly hear his words-he swore
that he would capture the animal if he had
to follow it to the lower regions.
"Jnst then the fox leaped far out into the
water, and horse and rider followed close
upon him. AS they sank beneath the water
1 lost consciousness and knew no moro un-
til in the morning farmer came to the mill
for flour. Since that night there is not
money enough in the world to keep me in
this mill after night-fall at the time of the
full moon in August 1t is growing near
sunset now, and If you will excuse me l
must set ready to 60, but if you would like
you can spend the night in the mill and take
q look at the gbostly horseman, and l hope
you will enjoy his visit"
The invitation was declined, and the Wis
itor passed the evening in calling on num-
Der of farmers in the neighborhood, ali Of
whom expressed beliefi in the miller's story,
and number told of belated travellers who
had seen the phantom hunter.