AML GY The follwing account* was found among the papers ofthe lte* Diedrich Kaickerbocker. (On the eastern shore of the Hudson River there is a small town called Greensburgh. This place is better known as Tarry Town. It was given this name by the wives of that area because on market days their husbands ‘tarried, or wasted time, atthe local tavern*. [cannot confirm this myself but I mention* it just to be precise ‘There isa litle valley surrounded by high hills about two miles from here. This is one of the quietest places in the whole world. A. small stream glides* through itso silently tha i could lull* one to sleep. Only the sound of the birds ever interrupts this tranquility, I remember that, when I was very young, I once wandered into a grove’ of tres. It was noon, when all nature is strangely quiet, The trees shaded one side of the valley. I couldn't think of a beter place than this little valley where I could escape from the world and its distractions, and quietly dream away the remnants* of a troubled” life (Gloss 1 aecountstory; eport + mention sty + ildecrancer movessmocthly = remnants the esindr what et + groves small wood ‘iver aminn or br where peopecan + ite dead tan dink 1 al eax + troubled ficult with problems Scanned withCamScanner ™COUNTRY LIFE AND CITY LIFE ew. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow | Syeeniets teeorty oc Sena G ‘According to historians the soldier's body was buried in the ~Aimmoldympmferatve te couneysdeortiecyey, || cuiyrtonthi got nw sites tt na hy a SEM?) Sear for is ising hea. It scems he sometimes rushes with reat a eS = {| xSiiwoughte alow whens bury gore he | Schr be dye Because ofthe lazy atmosphere ofthe place and the character its inhabitants, who are descended from the original Dutch set this valley has been known for a Tong time by the name of Sleep, Hollow, The young men who live here ae called the Sleepy Hollo, Boys. A drowsy*, dreamy influence seems to hang over the lang Supposedly, a German doctor put a spell* on the place during the carly days ofthe settlement. According to another story an old Indian chief held his powwows* here. Certainly something seems to have cast* a spell over the minds of the good people, They have all kinds of strange beliefS. They go into trances*, have visions, frequently see strange sights, and hear ‘music and voices inthe ait. The whole neighborhood is full of stories ‘of supersttions* and haunted places, However, one dominant spirit haunts this magical region. Its the apparition’ ofa figure on horseback, without a head. Some people think itis the ghost ofa soldier whose head was carried away by a ‘cannon ball in a battle during the Revolutionary War. The local people ‘often see him hurrying along in the dark of night. He haunts not just the valley, but the adjacent roads and a nearby church (tossard apparition: something that appears + east (here) put eoway shepy haunted inhabits by ghost * hollow: valley + powwows: meting of Nave + spell agi formula + Superstitions: lin rel hing, * tanec: states ke sleep 4 ‘This legend has provided material for many wild stores, and at all the country firesides he is known by the name of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. |.% saa | SETHE HEADLESS HORSEMAN ‘Spend ehoreeman loses bead? “S/oWhich places does he haunt? “Aimishewarhing or [When must he return to the churchyard?LUEScHOS. Iris not just the local people who imagine things. Everyone who comes to live in the area is affected. However wide awake they were before the the magi influence ofthe air and begin to imagine things. In these litle Dutch val hing stays the same. It has been many visited Sleepy Hollow, but 'm sure everything has remained exactly arrived inthis sleepy region, they soon inhale ears since | ‘Around thirty years ago, a man from Connecticut by the name of Ichabod Crane stayed or, ashe expressed it tarred’ inSleepy Hollow, for the purpose of instructing the children ofthe neighborhood. The surname of Crane* suited him, He was tll, but extremely thin, with harrow shoulders, long arms and legs. His hands dangled* a mile ‘out of his sleeves, and his feet were like shovels”, His land flat on the top. He had huge ears, large green glassy eyes, and a across a hill ona windy day, with sad was small Jong nose. If you saw him strid his clothes fluttering* around him, you could have mistaken him for The ‘windows were partly glazed',and partly covered up with pages from ‘ld copybooks. When not in use, the room was locked by twisting in the handle of the door, and by leaning stakes” against the His schoolhouse was one large room, constructed from logs twig window shutters tags: pieces of woo ut rom tees crane: typeof lange ind with very Teng ‘angled: were hanging losely faterng: moving nthe ai ‘laze: containing or made of las Inhale: breathe scarecrow gure that scares bs eid shovel: ols for digging Makes: wood ct ra rs Aiding walking aking long steps ‘wg smal branch Scanned with CamScanner‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow ‘was easy fora thief to get in, but it was likely to be dificult fog Be thm to get out again, The schoolhouse was in a lonely but atractivg Ibeation atthe foot" ofa woody hill There was. stream close by with a large brch* tre growingat one end. When school was over, he usually accompanied some of the ‘smaller boys home if they had pretty sisters, oftheir mothers were good cooks, He took care to be on good terms with his pupils. The revenue* from his school was small, and it was scarcely enough to feed him. He ate a lot and though he was thin he had the dilating powers of an anaconda. From there the low murmur of his pupils’ voices, studying their lessons, could be heard on drowsy summer days; like the hum of a bechive. This was interrupted now and then by Ichabo futhoritative® voice, speaking ina tone of menace*, or by the terrib sound of the birch, as he encouraged some tardy loiterer* to move along the flowery” path of knowledge. 1am not saying that he w. ‘a cruel man, On the contrary, he only used the birch on the troublemakers*, He never punished anyone without assuring, afterwards, “you will remember and thank me for this as long as. Tohelp out with his maintenance helived and ate at the houses of the farmers whose children e taught. He lived a weet ie with each family thas going the rounds” of the neighborhood withall his ‘woraly belongings ted upin a cotton handkerhit ‘So that this was not too costly fo hs patrons, who considered the costof schooling a heavy burden", he made himself useful He helped. the farmers with light work, helped to make hay, mended fences, took the horses to water, drove the cows from pasture*, and cut wood for the winter fire. He found favor in the eyes of the mothers by being, nice to the children, particularly the youngest. He sat for hours with, ‘achild on one knee, rocking a cradle" at the same time with his other foot Ichabod was also the neighborhood singing master and earned a {ew shillings by instructing the children to sing hymns. OnSundays, he went to church with his group of chosen singers, and his voice resounded” far above the rest ofthe congregation” ‘authoritative: able contootbers + menace threat + anaconda: snake + going the rounds: moving around birch: tee (chabod uss itsbraches + tardy otee:a slow porn: ‘arden weights responsibilty + ym: elgious songs sensi) ‘mtone who waste tine ‘congregation: peopleinachurch + pasture fills + Alowey: (be) ch + toublemakere people Whoa tradi baby’s bed Fesounded: washeard * foot ere) botom probens 1 lating expanding; growinglarger + revenue: moneyseamings 18 ~ » Scanned with CamScannerSUT {QA choolmaster 8 generally a man of some importance in fem ires", He is considered to be a kind of idle* gentleman, with taste and accomplishments” superior to those ofthe rough count trys. Our man of eters enjoyed the smiles of all the young co Indies Between church services on Sundays, he was the centre of attention, gathering grapesfor them from the vines in the chu and reading aloud for their amusement the epitaphs” written on tombstones. Sometimes he walked along the bank of the pond wit a whole bevy" of them. The shy country boys hung back*, en his superior elegance and style of conversation Ichabod was a kind of travelling newspaper. He carried the loca gossip from house to house so his appearance was alway’ with satisfaction, The women regarded him asa man of great le because he read books all the way through, and he was an in Cotton Mather’s book ‘History of New England Witchcraft" which, by the way, he firmly* believed. ‘Accomplishments: achievements + epitaph: things writen on grave Skis stones bevy: group: crowd + firmly: very mach strongly ccs! (hete) groups + ung back did nojoin in envying: jelous of + idle: lazy; someone who doesn't work + witcherft: the practice of magi and ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow "He was both crafty* and credulous*, No tale was too monstrous “for him to believe. Afterschool he loved to stretch himself out on the bank* of the stream* by his schoolhouse and read old Mather's {frightening tales until the arrival of evening made the printed pagea ist before his eyes. Then, as he walked home through woods to the farmhouse where he was staying, every lite sound at that witching” hhour stirred his imagination and frightened him. (On such occasions, either to stop himself from thinking or to drive away evil spirits, he sang hymns. As the good people of Sleepy Hollow sat by their doors in the evening, they were often surprised to ‘hear him singing on a distant hill or on the dark road. Ichabod spent the long winter evenings with the old women, + listening to ther tales of ghosts and goblins". As they sat spinning” by the fire they told him about haunted fields, and haunted streams, ‘and haunted bridges, and haunted houses, and particularly about the Headless Horseman of the Hollow. In return he entertained them with his stories of witcheraft. He frightened them with tales about fomens* and terrible sights and sounds, and speculation* about the significance of certain comets and shooting stars. He enjoyed all ‘this while he was sitting comfortably by the fire, but then he paid for itwhen he had to walk home alone. + bank sideofariver + crafty: cleverina dishonest way + speculation: guessing: supposition + spinning: making wool + eredulous believing; tusting eae 1 goblins ugly evil beings : magical ime when 1 Omens: signs that something bods strange things happen. ‘oing to happen Scanned with CamScanner* being: person + dreaded was aft + galloping: moving quickly ona horse a eine ah Hewes tried by the sound ois oym, octane ir ter Daylight putan end to all these evils But, then, one day Ichabod’s path was crossed by a being* who causes more ‘rouble to mortal man than ghosts, goblins and an entire race of witches, "That being was a woman, + ghastly terble * glare brightness «Sheu: smal bush LES AUC Among the musical pupils who came one evening a week for {instruction was Katrina Van Tassel. She was the only child ofa well- off" Dutch farmer. She was a fine healthy girl of eighteen, plump* and rosy-checked, like one of her father's peaches, She was also a bit of a flit*, which you could tell from the way she dressed. She ‘wore ommaments of pure gold, and her pettcoat* was short so that she showed off the prettiest foot and ankle in the countryside. Ichabod CCrane had a soft and foolish heart towards young women so itis not surprising that such a tasty morsel* soon found favor in his eyes Katrinas father, old Baltus Van Tassel, was only concerned with, his own farm, where everything was snug* and happy: He did not lead an extravagant life but he had everything he needed. His home was on the banks of the Hudson, ina green and fertile place, An elm tree spread its branches over a spring ofthe sweetest Water. Close to the farmhouse there was a vast barn and every corner of it seemed to burst with the treasures of the farm. Swallows and. rmartins® flew twittering around the eaves*, and rows of cooing pigeons enjoyed the sunshine on the roof. Fat pigs grunted in the comfort of their pens*. There were geese in the pond and turkeys, cockerels and hens in the farmyard. + eaves partof the roof ofa house + fit someone who ikeso pay and Joke with the opposite sex + pens arse surrounded by a fence + petticoat under skirt + plage ite fat 1 Eng confortable + swallows and marine: types of birds 1 Hsty morsel-sometingdelcoustoeat + wellotfrch Scanned with CamScanner e{ th watered as he looked at this rich pro imagined pigeon ple, Bee BFAVY*, ang instead of the pigs he say hhe saw a roast bieg Iechabod’s mou Juwurious winter food. He ducks in dishes, covered in onion sauce. I ‘lice of bacon, and juicy ham. Instead of turkey witha necklace of savory sausages. Ichabod rolled his great green eyes over the fat meadow lands; the rich feds of wheat, of rye, of buckwheat, of Indian com. and the ‘chard fll of fruit, which surrounded Van Tassel's home, and hig, feat longed for* the young woman who was to inherit these lands, He imagined selling everything, and investing the money in land Fe imagined himself marred to Katrina and with @ whole family tf eilden, all of them traveling ina wagon loaded with househol stems, He saw himelf riding a fine horse, setting out for a new life jin Kentucky, Tennessee - or who knows where! When heentered the house, theconquest of his heart was complete, Ik was a spacious farmhouse, with a sloping* roof, built in the style ofthe first Dutch settlers, Farming and fishing equipment was stored under the eaves ofthe house. There wasa spinning wheel” atone end ofthe house, and a churn’ at the other, showing the diferent uses to which the porch” was pu tossary yin + porch covered aren on the Font of hur gconineformaking + egin ster + savor: favoured with alan spices gravyza sauce for mest + sloping: ine eazasauetr mea sloping: inlined nt horizoatal ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow In the hal, arranged on a dresser*, there were rows of glittering* pewter’. In one corner stood a huge bag of wool ready to be spun. In another comer, cloth, Indian corn, and dried apples and peaches, hung in sacks along the walls. Through the open parlor door he saw carved chairs, and dark wood tables shining like birds’ eggs were suspended above the mantelpiece’, a great ostrich egg Was hung from the centre ofthe room, and a cupboard displayed silver omaments and china* plates. + china fine ceramic + Gresser a cupboaed in which plas restored (sc ilustation) + plering: shining fireplace Scanned with CamScanner + pewter a typeof grey-coloured metalFrom the moment Ichabod laid his eyes on the house and jy | contents, he lost his peace of mind. His only thought was how to gay | the affections of Van Tasse’s daughter. This posed” more difficultgg than those encountered” by a kright na fairytale. “a Ataightony hao deal ih ints witches and drone easy to defeat al of these. He only had to reach the castle where the lady of his heart was imprisoned. A knight could) thisas easily as cutting intoa pie, and then the lady gave: her hand as a matter ofcourse” rehabod, onthe contrary, had to win the pacpalts young country gt whose whinge ‘eee always presenting im with Rey “ifceles lehad tomeet el leshang | ood rivals her many odin | wvio opened every J0Or {0 her cot who watched cach Gall angely and who Wey ready to take, aefon against any Bb competitor Gtosserd saat ofcourse automatically + posed: made * del with oe dee + Epil with oo many things and + dungeo:undenound pron atention + encountered: et * flesh nd blood elo people) a. + whims unusual wishes and dsies| a Gy The most impressive ofthese was strong, energetic young man, called Abraham ot according to the Dutch abbreviation, Brom. Brom Van Brunt was a local hero, The countryside was full of stories of his feats* of strength. He was broad-shouldered and agile, with short curly black hai. His face was not unpleasant, with a mixed ‘expression of fun and arrogance. People gave him the nickname of ‘Brom Bones because of his Herculean* frame* and powerful limbs", He was famous for his great knowledge of horsemanship, and was as skilful" on horseback asa Tartar*. He always won races and cock* fights, and because of his strength he was the judge in all disputes”. [No one ever argued against his decisions. Brom wasa rough type buthe was good-humored. Hehad three or four close companions, who regarded him as theit model. With them he traveled around the countryside getting into fights or having a good time, In cold weather he always wore a fur cap witha fox's tail, ‘and when people spotted this hat from a distance, among a group of hhorse riders, they knew a storm* was coming. Sometimes his gang, rode past the farmhouses at midnight, whooping and shouting. Old ladies, startled* out oftheir sleep, exclaimed, ‘There goes Brom Bones. ‘and his gang!” + cocke male en + spats: fights arguments ‘feat df act * frame: bos, stroctre + Herculean: ike Hercules + limbs: arms and legs * sft good + wartled Surprised + Horms trouble ‘Tata horse der from Mongol 2 Scanned with CamScanner1 mixture of awe", admis “The neighbors regarded him with a mixture ofa Z and good-will. Whenever any prank* or brawl* occurred i, icin, they always shook their heads, and agreed that Brom must be the eause of it. ‘Brom chose the beautiful Katrina as the object of his at ‘Though hisromanticadvances were more like those ofa bear, Kang didnot completely discourage his hopes. When Brom’s horse cen tied up outside Van Tassel’s house on a Sunday night, it wa, {ure sign that its master was inside courting” Katrina. Al suitors" passed by in despair without stopping. They didn’t want ‘upset*alovesick" lon “This was the formidable* rival with whom Ichabod Crane was in competition Braver men avoided contests like these. Wiser men despaired” of them. But in his character Ichabod had a mixture o fexiilty and perseverance’. Though he bent, he never broke, and though he bowed beneath the slightest pressure, the moment the pressure was off, he stood up straight and carried his head as high twas madness for him to compete openly with his rival. Ichabod did not like to be beaten in love, so he made his advances in a quiet and crafty manner. Asa singing master, he made frequent visit tothe farmhouse. There was no need for him to worry about interference from the parents, which isso often a obstacle inthe path of lovers “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Baltus Van Tassel was an easy-going man. He loved his daughter ‘even better than his pipe and, lke a reasonable man and an excellent father be lt her do anything she liked, His wife had enough to attend to in the house and farmyard. As she wisely observed, ducks and ‘and must be looked ater, but girls ean take care of Baltus and his wife good parents? you have any special advice for them about Katrina? ‘So, while Katrina's mother worked at her spinning wheel at one tend of the porch, Baltus sat smoking his pipe at the other. In the ‘meantime, Ichabod sat with Katrina by the side ofthe stream under the great elm, or strolled” with her in the twilight*, that hour so favorable to romance, 1 admit I do not know how women’s hearts are wooed* and ‘won. To me they have always been a mystery: Some seem to have ‘only one door of access", while others have thousands, and can be captured in many different ways, From the moment Ichabod Crane ‘made his advances, Brom Bones seemed to lose interest. His horse ‘was no longer seen ted up outside the house on Sunday nights, and ‘adeadly* feud” gradually arose between him and the schoolmaster. lossarY — bright Sie ig roma + spade up + era ve up hope Mie 2 + strolled: wae slowly “oilghte beeen ay and ight 1 wooed: convinced ofa intove + accent way toenter deadly terible * feud: serous engument Scanned with CamScannercombat, lke the knights of old. But Ichabod we ‘opponent's superior strength to enter into fight not going to give him any opportunity to ty. Brom found Ichabed!’s pacifism’ very iritating. He had allemative but to think up some unpleasant practical joke to Play g fisrval, Ichabod became an object of persecution® for Brom «gang, Until this time his if was very peaceful, but now they ca him all kinds of trouble. Tey blocked the chimney of his sc that filled with smoke. They broke in a night inspite of lever security precaution, and tumed everyting topsy-tu poor schoolmaster began to think al the witches in the eountr their meetings there, Brom took every opportunity to ridicule” Ichabod in Katrina's presence, Heeven taughta dog to whine*, and introduced it asa rival af chabod’s who was there to instruct her in hymn singing, This went cn for some time without ether of them winning (a Perici oee eet eg ciee ‘Kaccsiriae Workington! feito sos rane ‘Senwueiye + ridicule: make fun of eee es autumn afternoon Ichabod was sitting in his classroom watching i students at work when the silence was interrupted by the arrival ‘of one of Van Tasse’s servants. He came riding upto the school door ith an invitation for Ichabod to attend a party that evening at Van see's house. “The schoolroom was now full of noise and activity. The students, ‘were rushed through their lessons. Those who were fast managed to get through their lesson without being punished. Those who were flow got a smack* on their rear* to speed them up of help them ‘understand a long word. Books were thrown aside without being put away on the shelves, {nkstands* were upset*, benches were pushed over, and the whole school was turned loose” an hour before the usual time. The students burst out of the schoolhouse and onto the grass like an army of young 1ps*, elping* and making a racket Ichabod spent an extra half hour getting ready, brushing dust off his best black suit - indeed, his only black suit -and combing his hair in the schoolhouse’s broken old mirror. He wanted to appear before ‘Katrina in the true style of a cavalier so he borrowed" a horse from. the farmer with whom he was lodged*, an old Dutchman called Hans Van Ripper. ane? ore aoe ee a. Se a ne Scanned with CamScanner aueta ot dae ison rtogiveyouate destin of my hero and ish The anim he was ing was a bakeefown tempered" wo hore Hews thi an pHs head was shoped Thea Pain His mane a ier tage and al ef bur He 35 ling oe medio lokangilat you, wlth othergn Todt kat dein He wascalld Ganpowde nd judge eens was afore oe of his master Van Ripper, ho way poder Vy ply some Van Ripper own pict ins the animal Gnpor looked od a broke botnet heh nei chacte nie sd thateyes Ichabod rode with short stirrups*, which brought his knees nearly up tothe top ofthe sade, His sharp elbows stick out like 3 grasshopper’ legs. He carried his whip vertically in his hand ang, as his horse jogged on, the motion of his arms was a bit like the flapping ofa pair of wings, A small wool hat rested on the top of his nose, andthe sktt of his black cot fluttered out almost to the horse's tal Such was the ridiculous appearance of Ichabod and his horse AsIehabod rode, hethoughtofallthedelights of autumn:the apples ‘made into cde, the com made into cakes, the pumpkins made into delicious pies, and the buckwheat made into breads. Katrina, with her delicate little hands, was going to cover those breads with butter and honey specially for him. Joggeds traveled with regula up tadtempered angry an! down moyement arestchy sedsorbisof plans» hammer: der drink nde from apples nr tal supports where rides frasshopper mpg et with fang es th fet when siting om a hoe pled Kote wsted Scanned with CamScanner’The Legend of Sleepy Hollow sot thoughts tke theseas he travelled alo . in eer Hoon Rie. Ashe si ok just Samm mE DFO Pane Sree, wet an of th ce Ha cre othe 2 de ihe oy without 0 breath of arto aq wg gibt on oe Evra Deel a cst, Hes Howl, en horizon change gradually intoa pure apple {Ei of mischiel*, and yehch only Brom cold cont. Brom was, in aa wae le gree, | ft note for preferring nasty* animals His heres played al kinds er trcks and Kept the rider in constant isk of breaking his neck. in from’s opinion, a well-behaved horse was unworthy ofa lad” of Hishead was ull ofsw them. The gol and from that into a deep blue Towanda th evening ltabod anived tthe Van Tas reside i oe a a he best people rom the suru a woe ld formers rearing homemade cat an soa clingy and huge shoes wth magnificent pe a Tc ve wore erp ong gowns, and howeneds ‘ace Thre we young women, ast ae ol-fashlond ce ee ne anes wht «na bon © Dea ected ey boarnten? Dai oe rhe i aprons” bas” btn, a tet hai eed in the fashion ofthe times. COLOURS i ‘Theauthor uses different colours and tones to describe people pli Sand things in the story. What do these colours describe? = + applegreen + silver + lack + white + golden + deep blue + amber + blue olossar¥ {abe ello own + buekles: ornaments made of metal Persie bh ore Luann rans ght yl met sed to decorate thoes or belts raughtines bad behaviour unr ot good en + rece lashioned towers to Innovation: new or moder idea tele + stupendous amacing wonderful Scanned with CamScannerea sel mansion he WAS Overcome 1 When tha eter the Va Tassel mansion Fr et mpresed by the sight of al those bay Joann tatty the hag display of cakes of various king, Tere wee doughnuts, sweet cakes, shortcake, ginger cj. trong cakes an the whole family of cakes. Then there were a pies and psch pies, and pumpkin pes. There were slices of je nd smoked beet and delectable" dishes of preserved plume, peat and quince", not to mention roasted chickens, together twos of mk and cream all mixed up higgledy-piggledy*. Ande the mil ofthe table sending up clouds of vapor Was the taps, Ichabod Crane manages to do justice to every dainty*, loss’ ——*—F + deletable dios sty + gale pigledin confusion in + managed. dainty: he ate everthing allthe rare and expensive food + overcome: (here) impressed + quince: typeof apple { 7 7 ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow chabod!s spirits rose when he ate good food. As he ate he could pot help looking all around him with large greedy eyes, chuckling” tr the possibility that he might one day be lord ofall this Iaxury fand splendor. He looked forward to turning his back* on the old Echoolhouse, and saying goodbye to Hans Van Ripper, and every ‘ther mean person like him, (Old Baltus Van Tassel moved about among his guests with a face {all of good humor. He shook hands with his guests, gave ther a friendly slap on the shoulder, laughed loudly and invited them to ‘earry on” and help yourselves’. The sound of music summoned ‘everyone to the dance. The grey-haired musician’s fiddle" was as ‘old and battered” as himself. He played on just two or three strings, accompanying every movement ofhis bow witha motion ofthe head, bowing almost to the ground, and stamping with his foot whenever a sew couple entered the dance. Ichabod prided himself on* his dancing as much as his vocal powers’. No part of him was idle. His body was in full motion, clattering" about the room. Everyone, including the farm workers, ‘came to admire him and stood looking with delight at the scene though the open doors and windows, So, this man who usually ‘spent his time beating naughty boys was now animated and joyous. ‘The lady of his heart was his partner in the dance, smiling graciously in reply to all his loving looks. Meanwhile Brom Bones, who was fovercome* with love and jealousy, sat brooding* by himself in ¢ comer. Se Se ee + batters in bad condition + brooding: thinking unhappily + eany on: continue + chuckling laughing + clattering: moving noisily date: violin wercome: (hee ful of himself on felt proud of + fuming is back on: leaving 1 yoeal powers ability tosing Scanned with CamScanner‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow , when these ghosts go out for ther night walks, they have no ends Tet to visit ‘Several Sleepy Hollow people were present at Van Tasse’s prowse and, as usual, they were busy telling everyone thei wild and iponderful ghostly legends, 9 Wen the dancing was over, Ichabod siting wit Van Tassel, gossiping about former times and telling long stores about the war. During the war the British and America I ‘wer close to ths neighborhood, so the area was the scene of fighting Each storyteller exaggerated is story with alittle fiction* and, in thi, ‘way, made himself he hero of every adventure, ‘There was the story of a Dutchman called Doffue Martling. He reatly captured a British ship except that his gun broke when he fited* ithe sixth time, Then there was an old gentleman who, in the Batleof White Plains", managed to stop a bullet with a small sword, He fetitwhizz around the sword, and then bounce off the handle. To prove ithe could show them the sword and how it was bent a litle at the handle, Several more ofthese storytellers were equally great on the batlfield. They all thought they played an important role in ‘ringing the war to a happy conclusion, ‘They told many depressing tales about funerals | and about wailing’ ghosts. They spoke bout the woman in white, who haunted Raven Rock, having died there in the snow. ‘They often heard her shrieking" on winter nights before astorm. All these tales were nothing in comparison with the ghost sto that followed. Ghost stories and superstitions live best in sheltered long-setled* places like Sleepy Hollow, but they are lost when peoy move to big villages. Besides thereisno encouragementfor ghosts inmestofourvillages. By the time they finish ther first nap* and turn in their graves", their surviving friends have travelled away from the neighborhood. (ciossar ~ Date ofthe white Pa ecen + velo ded bas thebahnd George Washinge's “lenge wher roplesty + shrieking: seaming + walling crying out troop on 28 Oca 1778 ator hep fiction unt sos + Shlee ted and protect + fie se (ag) 38 — : a = Scanned with CamScanner0 Mos ofthe stores, however, were about Sleepy Hollows fave, host the Headless Horseman, They heard him several tit Patong the countryside. It was sid he tied his Horse up ergy night among the gravesin the churchyard The cturch ands on ail nd this quit location Seem 0 hay mmadeitafavete haunt fr troubled spins. A slope descends fog the church oa sver sheet of water’, bordered” by high tee y Sacha sunny yond overgrown ith gras the dead could certainly retin pace, On on eof the church ee was a steam and ove, these there was one a Wooden bridge. The road and the bridge twee shaded by overhanging tes and these madeita gloomy place even ine dytne.Atright the darkness was tring, Ths fra one ofthe places here people most often met the Headless Horseman, ‘They told the tale of old Brouwer. All his life he never believed in ghosts, but, returning one night, he met the Horseman. The ghost madehim getup behind himon hishorse. Together they galloped over bushes and shrubs, over hills and swamps*, until they reached the bridge. At this point the Horseman suddenly turned into a skeleton, He threw old Brouwer into the stream, and in a clap of thunder, he disappeared over the tops of the trees ' Favorite haunt: place they Ie 19+ patrolling: moving round and win feng bordered:on he cps/sdes Set fete 2 pond or asa loom: dark and sad tamper of wetland ‘overgrown: with too many plantssiom Bones immediatly 0 try of is tha 28 ty a er dered ow when i reteed one a a loge, tia Headless Horseran overtook Mee free orm wri In rd to win a Bowl of punch orton wont oo because hi hore Daredevil eal bea eat tas they came the choc bie fe Heras eed away ad then vanished na Mash of re ‘The men told these stories to each other as they sat in the dark, From time to time the faces ofthe listeners were lit by the gleam* of light from someone's pipe. This made a deep impression on Ichabod, {cho told stories from the work of his favourite author, Cotton Mather ‘To these he added many remarkable events. Some were stories from, his native state of Connecticut, and some described the fearful which he experienced in his nightly walks around Sleepy Hollow, ‘When the party ended, the farmers gathered together their families in their wagons, and were heard for some time rattling" along the roads, and over the distant hills. Some of the ladies sat on horseback. behind their favorite young men. Their light-hearted laughter, mixed with the clatter* of hoofs, echoed through the silent woodlands, sounding fainter* and fainter, until they gradually died away. ‘Soon all was silent and deserted. Only Ichabod remained to havea téte-2-téte* with the heiress*, fully convinced that he was now on the road to success. What happened during this meeting I really do not iknow. I'm afraid something must have gone wrong, because after just a few minutes Ichabod left, looking quite upset. (oto urd feta iting ted * fainter ess ud + leat ign 1 Eeteera worn wbots gang io inher tel money or popty + pnehs (hers) a drink + rttling sound made by the ‘movement ofthe wagons te--tt: private conversation + vanished: disappeared Oh, these “These women! could that girl have used Ichabod? Was her ‘encouragement of the ror teacher alla trick to Ercure her conquest of* his rival? Heaven only knows! I's enough to say that Ichabod went stright to the stable and, with several hearty* eicks, woke up his horse from the comfortable bed in which he was soundly” sleeping, dreaming of mountains cof com and oats, and grassy valleys. + hearty: energetic + soundly: deeply + secure her conquest of: win Scanned with CamScannersuapows 5 twas night and Ichabod travelled home with a heavy heast*, Below him from the ills he saw the dark waters ofthe river. Inthe distance he heard a guard dog barking on the opposite shore. Now and then tre heard the crowing of a cock from some distant farmhouse. Close ty he heard nothing except the occasional sound of a cricket* or a pullfog" [Allthe stores of ghosts and goblins from the afternoon now came tack to him, The night grew darker and darker. The clouds hid the ‘ars from his sight. Ichabod never felt so lonely and depressed. In jdaition he was approaching the very* spot where many ofthe ghost Stories once took place. Inthe centre ofthe road stood an enormous tre, which towered lkea giant above all the other trees. is branches were huge and gnarled” and they twisted down almost tothe earth, and rose again into the air. This tre was connected with the tragic story of Major André*. In the war they took him prisoner close by and this tree was known as Major André’ tree. {As Ichabod approached this fearful tre, he began to whistle*. For a moment he'thought his whistle was answered, but it was just the wind sweeping” through the dry branches. Ashe camea little nearer, he thought he saw something white, hanging in the middle of the tree, He paused and stopped whistling but, when he looked more carefully, he saw that it was a branch of white wood where the tree was hit by lightning. (stossa"Y * bullfrog large frog + sweeping (et) movi + ecko Inset SMegeprsbct + gnarled: twisted no straight 1 sles ake sours by lowe ‘Major Andeésa Desh olficerin witha heavy heat unapp Canada who was taken prisoner by ‘American forces in 1773 5 Scanned with CamScanner‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Saudenly be hon a groan’, His eth chattered”, and his nea the saddle. But it was only the sound of one hype enh rubbing against another as they were blown about by thy Ipevve. He passed the tree in safety but new dangers awaited him, 1 was all useless. His horse stated to move, itis true, but he jumped tothe opposite side ofthe road into a thicket* of brambles" ‘and bushes. The schoolmaster now used both his whip and his heels. ‘on the ribs of old Gunpowder, who ran forward, snorting*, but came toa halt* just atthe bridge, with a suddenness that nearly threw his rider over his head. Just at this moment Ichabod's sensitive ear heard a noise by the side ofthe bridge. Inthe dark shadow on the edge of the stream, he saw something huge and misshapen’. It did not move, and in the darkness it looked like some gigantic monster getting ready to jump ‘About to hundred yards from the tee, small streamerossed the | o"toPof im. road, A few rough logs, lid side by side, served as a bridge over this stam, To pass this bridge was the most difficult trial". Major André was captured at this identical spot. The soldiers who surprised him ‘were hidden under cover of these trees, This stream has always been thought to be haunted, and any schoolboy who has to pass it alone ‘The teacher’s terrified hair stood up on his head, What was he going to do? It was too late now to tur and run, Besides, a ghost ‘could ride on the wings of the wind. So what chance was there of escaping from it? after dark fel very fearful eer 4s Khabod approached the seam his heart began fo thump, | Ae eee ian However he summoned® up all his courage, gave his hore a ey J $8 7ON7 Danese 0 kicks in the ribs, and attempted to move quickly across the bridge, But, instead of moving forward, the stubborn* old animal moved sideways", and ran against the fence. Ichabod, whose fears increased, with the delay, pulled at the eins and kicked. sore agitated" voice. Stil there was no answer. Once more he kicked Gunpowder's sides to try and make him ‘move. Then, shutting his eyes, he started tosinga hymn. chatter: (here) knocked aganstcach + stubborn determined + agitated: afraid and worries + soning: pushing oly hog other quickly + ummoned: collected: gathered * brambles plants with thoes the nose + poan'sound maby pesonwhots + thump mae loud Kectng + demanded: asked + stammering speaking with estation sicker in pain *elaet + hal stop fi ificuty ideways tothe side * misshapen: having astrangeshape + thicket: area with ees and bashes Scanned with CamScanner ”JUECHASES. nk Just then the shadowy shape stated to move, and with a leaps stood in the middle of the road. Though the night was dark ang dismal’, the form ofthe unknown figure could now be seen to som dlgree. He appeared tobe a horseman of massive dimensfons*, why vas mounted on a powerfublooking black horse. He was neither threatening nor sociable towards Ichabod, but kept to the sid ofthe road, trotting along on the blind side of old Gunpowder, who wag recovered now fom his fright and misbehavior. Ichabod did not ike thisstrange midnightcompanion. Hecould no stop thinking about Brom’s encounter with the Headless Horseman, So he moved his horse faster in the hope of leaving the other rider behind. The stranger, however, also moved his horse faster so that he ‘went atthe same speed as Ichabod. ‘Atthis point Ichabod slowed his horse down to a walk, intending to ty and lag behind*. But, the other rider did the same. Ichabod's heart began tosink*. He tried to continue his hymn, but his parched" tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. He could not sing a note. The silence of his obstinate companion was very mysterious, The reason {for it soon became evident. ‘They reached higher ground and this brought the figure of his fellow traveller into relef* agains the sky. He was gigantic and wrapped ina cloak, and Ichabod was hortifed to see that he was headless! Ichabod's horror increased when he saw that the riders head was in his hand. dismal dulland ad + lagbehind: stay behind Tektedshetbepntosink be eum sinedtolsehope + of masive dimensions enormous +n ei hs elie orsbpe coal * parched dy beseen clearly ee ee 8 Jchabod’s terror became desperation. He rained* a shower" of ticks and blows on Gunpowder, hoping to give his companion the dip" by a sudden moverent, but the ghost took of* witha jump at {ne same moment. Off they went, the two of them galloping away. Ggrones flew and sparks® flashed at every stride". Ichabod’ thin othes fluttered inthe ar, as he stretched his long body across his forse’ head in his eagerness” to escape. rained 7 a shower (hers) many cerns wih dese spac sal serch “give Ns companion the slips exape + testy : . ‘took off: suddenly started to run fast From his companion ® Scanned with CamScanner“Thoy reached the road which leads to Sleepy Hollow. Instead gg ving op the oad, Gunpowder, whoseemed possessed by* the Dey famed inthe opposite direction, and plunged* down the hill Ti, oat leds trough a sandy area shaded by trees for about a quarte, then it crosses the bridge famous in the ghost story, ju ‘phillon which the church stands. cof amile,and ‘beyond thats the greet Uptonow the horse's panic gave his unskillfl rider an advantage inthe rae, butjustas he got halfway through the Follow; the saddle, girth” srapped", and Ichabod fl the saddle slipping from under him. He seized* the pommel*, and tried to hold it in place, but in sain’, Grabbing old Gunpowder around the neck, Ichabod just hag time to save himself before the saddle crashed to the ground, and he heard it trampled* under foot by his pursuer’ For a moment the terror of Hans Van Ripper’s anger passed through his mind, for this was Van Ripper's best Sunday saddle, But this was no time for petty® fears. The ghost was right behind him. He twas having trouble staying on the horse's back: sometimes slipping toone side, sometimes to the other, and sometimes bouncing up onto the top of his horse's backbone, with such violence that he thought it was going to break him in half. He saw an opening in the trees and began to hope that the church bridge was close. He saw the walls of the church under the tree beyond. He remembered the place where Brom Bones's ghost! competitor disappeared, ‘If I can only reach that bridge,’ though Ichabod, I will be safe’ spon : possesved by:takenoverinhabitel) Insane wihout hop; uscesy Pursue: the person chs pets not mp Sciedook grabbed lunged: moved suddenly down snapped: broke Pomel: nl ona sal) trampled crashed: broken 50Just then he heard the black horse panting* close behind him, He was sure he could even feel his hot breath. He gave Gunpowder another kick in the ribs and the old horse jumped up onto the bridge He thundered* over the wooden planks* and reached the opposite side And now Ichabod looked behind him to see if his pursuer was going to vanish, as the legends sid, ina flash offre and thunder. At that moment he saw the specre™ standing up in his stirrups, inthe ac of throwing his head at him. Ichabod tried to avoid that horible missile", but it was too late. It encountered his eranium* with a tremendous crash He fell headfirst into the dust, and Gunpowder, the black horse, an the ghost rider, passed by ikea whirlwind Di REDE ff) Te nest morning the old hore was ound without his sede and with the bridle under his fet. He was quietly munching” the grass cutside his master’s gate Ichabod did not make his appearance at breakfast, The boys gathered at the schoolhouse, and strolled idly along the banks of the stream, but no schoolmaster appeared. Hans ‘Van Ripper now began to feel uneasy* about the fate of poor Ichabod, and his saddle. ‘An inguiry was set in motion*, and after careful investigation they found his trail. On the road leading tothe church they found the saddle trampled into the dirt. The tracks of horses’ hoofs were found in the road. Evidently the animals were racing at a furious speed, ‘These tracks were traced to the bridge, beyond which, on the bank of the stream, they found the hat of the unfortunate Ichabod. Close beside it there was a shattered” pumpkin. ‘The stream was searched, but the body of the schoolmaster was never found. Hans Van Ripper, as executor® of Ichabod's estate", ‘examined the bundle containing all his worldly effecs*. They consisted of two and a half shirts, two scarves, two pairs of socks, an old pair of underpants, a rusty razor*, a book of psalms, and a broken pitch-pipe*. The books in the schoolhouse belonged to the community, except for Cotton Mather’s ‘History of Witcheralt’ a ‘New England Almanac’ and a book of dreams and fortune tell eying abet Pantin: breathing heavily Planks pecs of wood ‘hiwind:tomado Bis: effets: belongings possessions ‘state: possesion and property ‘exceutor:the person sponse ora dead persons things ‘munching: chewing: eating Trove ingest ten tin motion sted ‘halter bean ness wore 5 Scanned with CamScannerbess Inside this lst book there was a shet of paper. On the paper, in honor of Van Tassl’s daughter, were Ichabod's scribbled * verses.The | ‘books and the poetic seravl* were immediately burned by Hans Vay, Ripper. From that moment, Van Ripper decided not to send his children to school any more, observing that he never knew any good to come of thisreading and writing nonsense. The schoolmaster received his pay justa day or two before. He must have been carrying all his money at the time of his disappearance. ‘The mysterious event caused much speculation at the church the following Sunday. Gossips collected in the churchyard, atthe bridge, and al the spot" where the hat and the pampkin were found. The stories of Brouwer Bones, and many others were remembered, People Shook thes heads, and came to the conclusion that Ichabod was Caried of by the Headless Horseman. As he was a bachelor, and owed no money, nobody worried any more about him, The schoo, wa tansered toa diferent area ofthe town, and another teacher ALONG TIME AFTER oe nis true that an old farmer who went to New York on a visit several xs after, and who provided this account ofthe ghostly adventure, rought home the information that Ichabod Crane was still alive. “Apparently he lft the neighborhood party through fear ofthe host and Hans Van Ripper, and partly because he was so upset by atrna’s rejection. It seems that he moved toa distant part ofthe country, that he taught a a schoo! and studied law atthe same time, that he was admitted tothe bar*, became a politician, electioneered*, swrote forthe newspapers and, finaly, became a judge. Brom Bones, who shortly after his rival's isappearance led Katrina in triumph to the Siar", looked very knowing" whenever the story of Ichabod was told. He always burst into a hearty laugh when the pumpkin was mentioned. Some people suspected that he knew more about the matter than he chose totell scribbled: writen untidly + electioncered: campaigned: became + led Katrina in ium tothe ltr politcal candidate saried + knowing: that he knew something * wabadmittedto the bar qualified as about it lawyer Scanned with CamScanner‘The old women, however, maintain to this day that Ichabod was spirited away* by supernatural means", and it is a favorite story often told around the fire on winter evenings. The bridge became more than ever an object of superstitious awe. ‘Theschoolhousesoon fell into decay *,and was reported to be haunted by the ghost ofthe unfortunate teacher. Young farmhands, traveling home on stil* summer evenings, have often thought they heard his voice in the distance, singing a sad psalm in some secluded* corner of Sleepy Hollow. a f= decay: a bad condition spirited away: made to disappear; means: ways taken away secluded: hidden; quiet still: quiet ‘Scanned with CamScanner