The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-01-27

until It's author had won my boy heart; (for a
BOY first read it, and L m boy ag am when /
read 1t now, and | loved him for his fun first
guns, big gate TO boys heari) an d then for
ms Pathos, nor how ! dreamed IN the dream
land OF "Stcepy HolloC" "-sympathiz ed with,
and laughed at Ichabod Crane-imagi ped each
thunder shower, that sold Hendrack Hudson
and his Jolly crew." were again at theIr game
oil nine pinS-rejoiced at the escape, poor, hen
pecked Rip Pan Winkie'S. lqrg nap, gave him,
from the tongue OF his termagant wife; -wept
at the heart melting sLoryiof the "widow ;and her
son. nor how my mrthful ard my martial
spirit ran mad races with each other, at The re-
cltal OF the valorous deeds of Hvd Koppiig Pet
and RlSlRg, the bold, at the stbattle of the Man
hattoes; nor how / wandered in i'm agina-
ton AMID the entertainments of the .Hihcm6ra.
Enough TO say, felt as every one feels, who
can read his genial, noble heart, mirrorad in
his books knew him in spirit, bot J. long
WISHED to see the man, and my wish was graf
ifed.
During few days, in the early part of July,
eighteen hundred and fifty eight, [ was the guest
OF kind New York friend, whose country
seat, lies adjacent to Irving's Sunnvside. The
gentleman 10 whom [ alIude, was an intimate
associate Of Mr.. Irving's since one of his pail
bearers. On Sunday, July fourth, I accom-
panied the family of my sfriend TO service at
their place of worship, Christ's church, ,Tarry-
town. OF which both he and Mr.. Irving W ere
vestrymen. After the conclusion of the order of
Morning prayer, the venerable rector annou a.
ceda collection Tor the poor, and as the vestr r
men were waiting on the congregation. f,r
their contributions, The son of nv friend
directed my attention TO one of them.
ana whispered "that is Mr.. Irving" NJ
eye followed him, as he passed up the aisle
and laid the days gifts, within the chanceI. and
turned TO % 10 his pew. was disappointed :
not IN the face, il was the same handsome. in
tellectu4l, thought-beaming countenance / had
seen in his portraits, taken in his manhood's
prime though olden, and thought, touched
witb shade of sadness But my fancy had
gwen hun tall, imposing form, whereas he
was not above medium height, slightly bent.
and somewhat inclined to corpulency and his
mIen was not as had deemed, majestic, it but
humble, though dignifed, and l thought, be-
meath the stained light OF the sacred place, full
Of reverence.
When next l saw him, it was in a different
scene. On the evening Of the fifth there was
festive gathering, and display of fire works,
at the villa of New York merchant, resident
in the neighborhooG. The scene vas one OF
gaiety and Of grandeur. The palace, (for it is
regal edihce, stands on high elevation, over
looking the Hudson. The lawn in front seem
ed perfect teu de joie and ID all directions for
many miles, on either side OF the river, for hours,
the night was iluminpd by rockets, and other
pyrotechnic displays, sent of from the towns and
villages and country seats, and 10 one unaccus-
toned to such scenes, it seemed the enchant-
ment OF fairy land. 1t was here had the hon.
or OF being presented to Mr.. Irving. He was
surrounded upon all sides, the center of attrac-
tion TO many anxious to converse with him,
and I did little else but look and listen,
but it was something worth, to look and listen |
there. shall long remember it, neither shall |
/ soon forget his warm shake of the hand, and
his cordial good night ,as we parted from him
to go home.
The next day, visited scenes made classic |
ground by the touch of bis magic pen-the |
place Of ApdEe's capture Sleepy Hollow the
old Dutch chufsh, with its grave yard and
quaint epitaphs roamed over over the hills and |
bathed in the TapPan Zee. and towards eve
ming of the next, with friend, strollrd over to |
Sunnyside. As We approached the antique ed
ifce, we observe4 through the open window,
that the family were at dinner SO we contin-
ued our walk, through the grounds, and on to |
the adjoining grounds of Mr.. Grinnel and whl-
led away halt hour looking at the objects OF
beautiful vStas the rustic bridges;
the groteSque statues, the miniature lakes, the
mimic waterfalls, and returning, found Mr. r.
wing vii bis brother and the ladies of his
nIeces, sitting in the open air
on the veranda and beneath the trees. Mr., r.
wing rose to meet US, and in reply to remark,
that we had taken the liberty OF trespassing up
on his domain he said ''all, even strangers, feel
at liberty to come here, then certainly we
should make our friends welcome.'' Knowing
how precious was bis time, and how persecu-
led ne was with admring visitors, we tarried
but little while IN common place conversa-
ION, making no reference TO the fact, that he
had ever written book, for my friend knew.and
bad heard how Such alInsinnr nnnn.