San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-01-03
The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow
By WASHINGTON IRVING.
[FouNp AMONG THE PAPERS OF THE LATE
pIEDRICH KNICKERBoCRER.

fFoUND AMONG THE PAPERS OF THE LATE
pIEDRIcH KNIcKERDocKER.
In the bosom of one Of those spacious
coves which indcnt the eastern shore Of
tho Hudson, at that broad expansion Of
tho river denominated by tho ancient
Dutch navigators the Tappaan Zee, and
where they always prudently shortened
sail and implored the protection of St.
Nicholas when they crossed, there lies q
small market town or rural port, which
by some is called Greensburg, but which
Is more generally and properly known
by the name Of larry Town. This name
was given 1t, we are told, In former
days, by the good housewives Of the ad-
jacent country, from the inveterato pro-
pensity of their husbands to lingcr about
the village tavern on market days. Be
that ms It may, do not youch for the
fact, but merely advert to 1t for the sake
of being precise and authentic. Not far
from this village, perhaps about three
miles, there is little valley, or rather
lap OF land. among high hills, which is
one Of the quietest places in the whole
world. A small brook glides through it,
with just murmur enough to lull one 10
repose; and the occasional whistle of q
quail or tapping of q woodpecker Is
almost the only sound that over breaks
in upon tho uniform tranquility.
Irecollect that, when a STRIPPING, my
first exploit in squirrel shooting was in n
grove of tall walnut trees that shades
one side of the valley. had wandered
into it Mt noon time when all nature is
peculiarly quiet. and was startled
by the roar of my. own gun
Us it broke tho Sabbath stiffness
around and was prolonged and reverber-
ated by the angry echoes. If ever !
should wish for retreat whittier might
steal from the world and its distractions,
and dream quietly away the remnant of
troubled life, l know of none more
promising than this little valley.
From the listless repose Of the place,
and the peculiar character of its inhabit-
ants, who arc descendants from the
original Dutch settlers, this Sc
questered glen has long been known
by the name of Sleepy Hollow, and
It's rustic lads arc called the
Sleepy Hollow boys throughout all the
ncighboring country. A drowsy, dreamy
influence seems to hang over tho land
and to pcrvadc the very atmosphere.
Some say that the place was bewitched
by high German doctor during the
early days of the settlement; others,
that an old Indian chief, the prophet or
wizard of his tribo, held his powwows
there before the country was discovered
by Master IIcndrick Hudson. Certain 1t
is that the place still continues under the
SWAY of some witching power that holds
spell over the minds Of tho good people,
causing them to walk in a continual rev.
erie. They are given to all kinds of mar
vclous beliefs: are subject to frances and
visions. aud frequently sec strange sights
and hear music and voices in tho air.
The whole neighborhood abounds with
local tales, haunted spots and twilight
superstitions; stars shoot and mcteors
glare oftencr across tho valley than in any
other part of the country, and the night
marc, with her whole nine fold, seems to
make it the favorite scene of her gambols.
The dominant spirit, however, that
haunts this enchanted region and seems
to be commander-in-chief of all the
powers of the air, is the apparition of a
figure on horseback without a head.
1t is said by some to be the ghost Of a
Hessian trooper, whose head had been
carried away by n cannon ball in some
namclcss ,attle during the revolutionary
war, and who is ever and anon seen by
the country folk, hurrying along in the
gloom of the night as if on the wings OF
the wind. His haunts are not confined
to the valley, but extend at times to the
adjacent roads, and especially to the vi
cinity of church that is at no great dis
tance. Indeed, certain Of the most au-
thentic historians Of those parts, who
have been careful in collecting and col
lating the floating facts concerning this
spectre, allege that the body OF the
trooper, having been buried in the church.
yard, the ghost rides forth to the scene of
battle in nightly quest Of his head, and
that tho rushing speed with which he
sometimes passes along tho hollow, like
q midnight blast, is owing to his being
belated and in u hurry to get back to the
churchyard before daybrcak.
Such is tho general purport Of this le-
gendary superstition, which has fur
nished materials for many wild story
in that region of shadows; and the spectre
is known ut all tho country iircsidca by
the name of the Hcadless Horseman Of
Sleepy Hollow.
1t Il remarkable that tho visionary pro-
pensity have mentioned is not confined
to the native inhabitants of the valley
but is unconsciously iinbibed by cvory
one who resides there for time. How
ever wide awake they may have bcon be-
fore they entered that sleepy region. they
are sure in q little time to inllalc the
witching influence Of the mir and begin
to grow imaginative-to dream dreams
and see apparitions.
Imention this peaceful spot with all
possible laud, for it is in such Gttlo re-
tired Dutch valleys found here and there
embosomed in the great state Of New
York that population, manners and Gus
toms remain fixed, while the great tor
rent OF migration and improvement
which is making such incessant changes
in other parts of this restless country
sweeps by them unobserved. They are
like those little hooks Of still water which
border q rapid stream, where VIC may see
the straw and bubble riding quietly at
anchor, or slowly revolving in their
mimic harbor, undisturbed by the rush
of the passing current. Though many
wears have ELAPSED Elnce / frod
tho drovsy shades Of Sleepy Hollow,
vet / question whether / should not
still find the came trees and the same
families vesetaiing in Its sheltered bo-
som
In this by place Of nature there abode
IN a remote period Of American history.
t.Iat is TO say, some thirty years since. a
worthy wight Of the name q Ichabod
Crane, who sojourned, or as he expressed
it. "tarried" In Sleepy Hollow, for the
purpose OF instructing the children Ct the
vicinity. He was a native Of Connect
cut, a state which supplies the Union
with pisnesrs far tic mind ~ vel as for
the forsst. ard sauds forth yearly its
lezions Of froatier voodmen and country
sclool1nasters. Tie co-nCmen of Crane
Vas not inanplicsble 20 bis Person- lie
was tall, bot exceedingly lznk. with nar-
r5ST slIouldcrs. long sTIls and les, Lands
that daagied a mile CT q his sleeycs.
foet tat Iaizhf have served for shOvels.
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