The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

     I am in the Halloween spirit, and just read “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving.  It is a short story that has spawned one of the most beloved ghost stories: the tale of the Headless Horseman. 

     This tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a scrawny school teacher from Connecticut who moves to the small Dutch community of Sleepy Hollow, New York.  The town is believed to be under a sort of enchantment, and all of the residents like to share tales of ghostly encounters; the most popular of which is that of the Headless Horseman, who rides his steed in the middle of the night.  Ichabod is quite superstitious, and thoroughly enjoys these stories.

     Ichabod falls in love with a young woman by the name of Katrina Van Tassel, who just so happens to be the daughter of the richest man in the area.  He sees himself winning over Katrina’s heart, and becoming the heir to her father’s fortune.

     As Katrina is rich and beautiful, Ichabod is not the only one with his eye on her, and has to compete with one of the most revered and feared men in New York, who goes by the name of Brom Bones.

     One night the Van Tassels through a party at their manor for the townspeople, at which Ichabod has a marvelous time dancing, filling his face, and sharing ghost stories.  That is of course, until he is rejected by Katrina, and has to make the long journey back home at witching hour.  His imagination runs ramped as he passes by “haunted” areas, with each gust of wind a sign of his imminent death.  Then he comes face to face with a horseman in the shadows, and runs for it.  Well, it would have been face to face, had the horseman had a head.  As fast as Ichabod’s horse goes, he is unable to shake the Headless Horseman from riding his tail.  The Horseman throws what appears to be a head at Ichabod, which knocks him off of his horse.  Ichabod is never heard from again.

     I like this story because you just do not know how the story ends.  Ichabod could have been carried away to the underworld, he could have fled the state, or it could all have been a prank.  You just do not know for sure.  It is a great read around Halloween and good to see the original inspiration for many favorite movies.