Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-02-03
I'll ERE in a sequestered cove o,
the Hudson lies the drOwsy

ERE In a SequeStered cove o.
! the Hudson lies the drOwsy
valley of Sleepy HOlIow-OncC
remote, enchanted region, aboundlnG
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 headless
figure on a powerful black charger,
which at midnight rode forth from the
church graveyard.
At every country Preside were told
bloOd-curdllng stories of the weird and
ghoulish pranks of the Headless Horse
mansOf Sleepy Hollow.
Perhaps the most superstitlous 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 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
lions were welcomed by the. house
wives.
He also enlivened the long wintry
evenings with direful stories OF witch.
CART. In snug chimney corner be-
fore a cracking wood fire, there was
fearsome pleasure in these bloOd-chlll-
ing tales.
But for this gruesome enjoyment,
how dearly he paid when out alone at
night What menaclng shadows beset
his path! Every snow-covered bush
stood sheeted specter in his way.
However. It was not only these phan-
toms Of the night that disturbed his
peace, for his days were haunted by
the most bewltching Of all witches-a
woman.
In his weekly singing class was Kat.
rina Van Tassel, only child Of sub
stantlal farmer. Famed for her beauty
and vast expectations, the enraptured
Tchabod became her ardent sutton.
Gloatlngly he surveyed her fathers
rich meadow lands, the overlooking
barns, and the great sloplng-rOOfed
filled with treasures Of old
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
norseman and foremost In all rural
sports, he was always ready for a
SIGHT or a frolic.
Yet even the old danes, startled out
If their sleep as he clattered by at
midnight, looked upon his wild pranks
With more goodwill than disfavOr.
This rantlpOle hero had chosen to
az siege to the blooming Katrina. And
When on a Sunday night his horse |
vas tied to Van Tassel's pallngs, all |
'ther suitors passed on in despair.
IchabOd, however. in his role Of |
inging master. made frequent visits at |
he farm. Neither old Van, an easy, In |
luIgent soul. nor his busy housewife, |
with the pedagogue's suit; |
ret his wOoing was beset with diff
.ultIes.
BrOm Bones had declared a deadly
eud, and as Ichabod shrewdly avoid
d a physical combat, he became the
Inject of whimsical prosecutions by
IRON and his boon companions
They smoked out his singing school;
'rOIe into and turned tOpsy-turyy his
chOOlhOuse; and still worse. taught
scOundrel dog to whine as a rival
instructor In psaImOdy to the fair Kat
ina.
One fine autumnal afternoon Icha-
'Od, In q pensive mood, sat enthroned
4 the lofty stasl from which he ruled