Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1904-05-28

was 10 ma That every tool in the saw
mill had vanished, crowbars, can't
hooks, extra saws, hammers, chains,
were all missing in the morning A
new supply was obtained, and a few
days later David was awakened at
midnight to hear the mill going, and
Q, shower Of sparks flying from the saw
playing up and, down against crow
bar WedSed in the log cradle. Later
the srist-mill--never Iocked--Was yis-
ited by a ghostly miller, and bags of
grain poured into the raceway, belts
cut, and, as final message, the gates
raised and millstones found rumbling
at early dawn. 1t was no ghost, of
course. even to the superssitious mind
OF David, but an enemy of the most
malicious sort, and yet the property
loss produced almost as much suffering
as an actual spook. David locked and
barred tho mill doors after this, only
TO ind it useless, for about once a week
the mill waslvisited by this unrighteous
enemy, and damage inflicted. Then
he rugged Gordon of fine wire around
the grist-mill, attached to doors and
connecting with his house, so that any
disturbance would communicate and
ring a bell. 1t worked to the extent
Of causing David and his men to rush
to the mill with lanterns to find the
belts again cut, and the stones grind
ing away, but no sight or sound of an
intruder. Then other depredations fol-
lowed. A dog that had been secured
as guard was found dead the next
morning and swollen double from poi
son; small raft of logs above the
falls were cut loose and allowed to
drift over and land in inextricable
confusion below; stones took on a
habit of entering the mouse unbidden
through windows, and at odd intervals
other night mischief was perpetrated.
Then the two men who boarded with
David grew nervous, and the old ne
gress said, 81 clare to gracious, desc
premises is gittin' hanted, n If 1t doan
stop, I'll quit here, suah s yo' born"
She was only restrained by an increase
in her wages, painful to David, and
temporary lull in the midnight visits.
Meier, in addition to his mischief
inventing faculties, also dearly loved
to masquerade. He had become the
possessor of few dime novels, one of
which portrayed on the cover real
istic picture of "Scar Face, the Aven-
GER and to initiate the raiment and
habits of this savage was keen enjoy
fnent to Meier. He had fashioned
head-dress and crest of turkey feathers,
obtained hideous mask. and, having
hidden these in Aunt Comforts barn,
waited the right and proper occasion
to exploit them In secret To try their,
effect on Hans was too tame; besides
Hans would give him away, and Meier,
always secretive, had grown wary with
age. There was no limit to the fun he
planned to have with that blood-curd-
ling. mask and head-gear. but his hero,
Scar Face, had always swooped down
upon his victims unawares, and Meier
felt he must. He had some time pre-
vious purloined an old night-shirt with
the intention of playing ghost when
z Halloween came. He was also an ex-
pert in the use of stills, and, nimble
as squirrel, could stride off on them
faster than man could run. With
these accoutrements and a nature much
akin to the dime-novel hero he wor-
shipped, it may be easily inferred that
Meier was ombination quite likely
to excite quiet village like GreenvaIe
And Meier hated David Curtis with
Scar-Face ferocity. For weeks David
had lived miserable existence, and
worried as to the outcome of Martins
supposed enmity. He knew he was
guilty, and once dragged before even
the most petty tribunal would have no
defense, but must make retribution to
his brothers child and be disgraced as
well. So sure did he feel this outcome
was only matter of time, he thought
OF forestalling it by going to Aunt Com
fort and offering her a lump sum for
Angles past keep, and as much for her
own signature releasing him from all
obligation. He would have much pre-
ferred negotiating with Martin, but
of that young mans relations with
Angie he was not at all certain, and
although more humiliating, it was safer
to deal direct with the injured ones.
He was in this Quandary when his di-
rect persecution began, and as that
continued, it became agony boiled
down. To lose five cents was misery,
but when the sum swelled to many dol
lars and depredations were repeated
night after night, it became torment.
Then his ghostly dread grew apace.
With all his vigilance, and aided by his
men taking turns watching, not once
had they seen or heard aught that be-
tokened fiesh-and-blood visitor. All
he knew was that sometime in the
night some one visited his mills,
wrought malicious mischief, and van
ished. 1t was for revenge beyond ques-
ton, but by whom, and for what? Was
it some one in the village, or was it
stranger hiding In the woods by day,
and stealing onto his premises by
night like an Indian wreaking swift,
unerring vengeance?
For weeks also David had not known
one moment of peace or one hour OF
untroubled sleep. Not trusting his men
even, he had kept watch himself, ready
to sally forth at any sound, and when
the depradations ceased, he still kept
on expecting them. For a week this
vigil continued, and then one night,
half aS1oon and partio1Iy naui1