The Cloven Hoof Card Player
In the quaint town of Shaftesbury, Dorset, there's a tale that has been passed down through the years about a rather unusual card game that took place in a three hundred year old barn on French Mill Lane. It's said that young folks would often gather here on Sundays to play cards, but one particular Sunday, their games were interrupted by a stranger who joined in for a couple of rounds. As he bent down to pick up a dropped card, the other players caught a glimpse of something that made their blood run cold - he had a cloven hoof. This unsettling encounter was enough to put an end to their Sunday card games for good.
Historical records of the area suggest that such barns have been part of the landscape for centuries, often serving as community gathering places. While the exact date of this incident is unknown, the fact that it has become a lasting part of local legend speaks to the impact it had on those involved. The story doesn't specify what became of the stranger with the cloven hoof, but his presence has become a fascinating footnote in the history of Shaftesbury. It's worth noting that the barn itself may no longer be standing, but the memory of that eerie card game lives on.
The story is set in a rural Dorset community where traditional gathering places like barns played a significant role in social life.
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Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
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