Connecticut western news., 1921-02-03

nISh III SSQuSSI6EeO cove or the Hudson lies the drowsy
 valley of Sleepy Hollow-once remote, enchanted region, abounding in haunted spots and twilight supersti- lions.
 The dreamy, visionary Dutch folk, descendants of the early settlers, were given to marvellous beliefs.
 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 the Headless Horse man of Sleepy Hollow.
 Perhaps the most superstitious soul throughout the valley, in the days just following the Revolution, was the coun- try schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane. Tall, lank, .long-limbed, he was a grotesque figure, yet not lacking in concelt.
 AS was the custom, he led an itiner- ant life, boarding with the farmers whose children he taught. Since he brought the local gossip and helped with the chores, his periodical visita- tions were welcomed by the house wives.
 He also enlivened the long wIntry evenings with direful stories of witch carft. In a snug chimney corner be- fore a cracking wood fire, there was fearsome pleasure in these blood-chill- Ing 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 sheeted specter in his way.
 However, 1t was not only these phan- toms 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 Kat rina Van Tassel, only child of sub stantial farmer. Famed for her beauty and vast expectations, the enraptured Ichabod became her ardent sultor.
 Gloatingly he surveyed her fatherHs rich meadow lands, the overflowing barns, and the great sloping-roofed farmhouse filled with treasures of old mahogany, pewter and silver. All these rich possessions made Ichabod covet the peerless Katrina.
 The most formidable of his many rivals was the registering Brown 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 hardihood. A reckless horseman apd foremost in all rural sports, he was always ready for fight or a frolic.
 Yet even the old danes, startled out of their sleep as he clattered by at midnight, looked upon his wild pranks with more goodwill than disfavor.
 This rantipole hero had chosen to Hay siege to the blooming Katrina. And when on Sunday night his horse was tied to Van Tassel's palings, all other suitors passed on in despair.
 Ichabod, however, in his role of singing master, made frequent visits at the farm. Neither old Van, an easy, in- dulgent soul, nor his busy housewife, Interfered with the pedagogue's suit: yet his wooing was beset with difi- culties.
 Brom Bones had declared a deadly feud, and as Ichabod shrewdly avoid ed a physical combat, he became the object 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 instructor in psalmody to the fair Kat rina.
 One fine autumnal afternoon Icha- bod in a pensive mood, sat enthroned -.-. ----- ------ a-n-L Inn -----h he rnLca