The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-08-18
THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOL1 LOW
BY WASHINGTON IRVING
Condensation by Mabel Herbert Urner


In a sequestered cove Of the Hudson
lies the drowsy valley of Sleepy Hol-
low-once remote, enchanted region,
Astounding in haunted spots and twi-
light superstitions.
The dreamy, visionary Dutch folk
descendants Of the early settlers, were
given to marvellous beliefs. Many
were their fireside tales of ghosts and
evil spirits.
The most awesome wrath Of this be-
witched neighborhood was a headless
figure on a powerful black charger,
which at midnight rode forth from the
church graveyard
At every country fireside were told
blood-curdling stories of the weird and
ghoulish pranks of this Headless
Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
perhaps the most superstitious soul
throughout the valley, in the days just
following the revolution, was the
country school-master, Ichabod Crane.
Tall, lank, long-limbed, he was a gro
tesque figure, yet not lacking in con-
ceit
AS was the custom he led an timer
ant life, boarding with the farmers
whose children he taught. Since he
brought the local gossip and helped
with the chores, his periodical vista
tions were welcomed by the house
wives.
He also enlivened the long wintry
evenings with direful stories of witch
craft. In snug chimney corner be-
fore a cracking wood fire, there was
fearsome pleasure in these blood
chilling tales.
But for this gruesome enjoyment,
how dearly he paid when out alone at
night. What menacing shadows beset
his path! Every snow-covered bush
stood a sheeted spectre in his way.
However, it was not only these
phantoms of the night that disturbed
his peace, for his days were haunted
by the most bewitching of all witches
"a woman.
In his weekly singing class was
Katrina Van Tassel, only child of a
beauty and vast expectations, the en-
raptured Ichabod became her ardent
sutton.
Gloatingly he surveyed her fathers
rich meadow lands, the overlooking
barns, and the great sloping-roofed
farmhouse filled with treasures of old
these rich possessions made Ichabod
covet the peerless Katrina.
The most formidable of his many
rivals was the registering Brom Van
Brunt, nicknamed, from his herculean
frame, Brom Bones.
He was the hero of all the country
round, which rang with his feats of
strength and hardwood. A reckless
horseman and foremost in all rural
sports, he was always ready for fight
or frolic.
Yet even the old danes, startled out
of their sleep as he .clattered by at
midnight, looked upon his wild FRANKS
with more goodwill than disfavor.
This rantipole hero had chosen TO
lay, siege to the blooming Katrina.
And when on Sunday night his
horse was tied to Van Tassels palings,
all other suitorS passed on in despair.
lchabod, however, in his role of sing
ing master, made frequent visits at the
farm. Neither old Van Tassel, an easy,
indulgent soul, nor his busy housewife,
interfered with the pedagogue's suit;
yet his WoOing was beSet with Difficult
ties.
Brom Bones had declared a deadly
feud, and as Ichabod shrewdly avoided
a physical combat, he became the OBJ.
Ject of whimsical prosecutions by
Brom and his boon companions.
They smoked out his singing school;
broke into and turned topsy-turvy his
schoolhouse; and still worse, taught a
scoundrel dog to whine as a rival in
structor in psalmody to the fair
Katrina.
One fine autumnal afternoon, Icha.
bod, in a pensive mood, sat enthroned
on the lofty stool from which he
ruled his laggard pupils.
The buzzing stiffness of the school
room was broken by galloping
messenger, who brought an invitation
to quilting frolic" that evening at
Van Tassel's.
Promptly dismissing school, Icha bod
furnished up his only suit of rusty
black, and soon rode forth-a gallant
cavalier to this bidding of his lady
fair.
Gunpowder, the bony old pillow horse
borrowed from the farmer with whom
Ichabod was domiciled, was a suitable
steed for his long, gaunt frame.
Jogging slowly along, it was after
shutdown when he reached Van Tas.
sells, where were gathered the farmer
folk of the surrounding country.
Hoover, it was not the buyom
lasses which held Ichabod enthralled
it was the sumptuous abundance OF
the supper table. Such luscious ham
and chicken, and heaping platters OF
doughnuts, cruellers and ginger cakes
Ichabod's rapacious appetite did
ample justice to this repast, while he
gloated over the opulence of which
some day he might be master.
Soon the sound of fiddling babe all
to the dance. With Katrina as his
partner, smiling graciously at his
amorous oglings, the lank, but agile
Ichabod clattered triumphantly about
While Brom Bones, sorely smitteu