Home › The Legend of Sleepy Hollow › The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

By WASHINGTON IRVING Condensation by MABEL HERBERT URNER IN a sequestered cove of the Hudson lies the drowsy valley of Sleepy Hollow--once a remote, enchanted region, abounding in haunted spots and twilight superstitions.

The dreamy, visionary Dutch folk, descendants of the early settlers, were given to marvelous beliefs. Many were their fireside, tales of ghosts and evil spirits.

The most awesome wraith of this bewitched 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 schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane. Tall, lank, long-limbed, he was a grotesque figure, yet not lacking in conceit. As was the custom he led an itinerant life, boarding with the farmers whose children he taught. Since he brought the local gossip and helped with the chores, his periodical visitations were welcomed by the housewives. He also enlivened the long wintry evening with direful stories of witchcraft. In a snug chimney corner before a crackling wood fire there was a 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 specter in his way.