Легенда о Сонной Лощине
Found Among The Papers Of The Late Diedrich Knickerbocker.
Agreatelmtreespreaditsbroadbranchesoverit,atthefootofwhichbubbledupaspringofthesoftestandsweetestwater,inalittlewellformedofabarrel;andthenstolesparklingawaythroughthegrass,toaneighboringbrook,thatbabbledalongamongaldersanddwarfwillows.Hardbythefarmhousewasavastbarn,thatmighthaveservedforachurch;everywindowandcreviceofwhichseemedburstingforthwiththetreasuresofthefarm;theflailwasbusilyresoundingwithinitfrommorningtonight;swallowsandmartinsskimmedtwitteringabouttheeaves;androwsofpigeons,somewithoneeyeturnedup,asifwatchingtheweather,somewiththeirheadsundertheirwingsorburiedintheirbosoms,andothersswelling,andcooing,andbowingabouttheirdames,wereenjoyingthesunshineontheroof.Sleekunwieldyporkersweregruntinginthereposeandabundanceoftheirpens,fromwhencesalliedforth,nowandthen,troopsofsuckingpigs,asiftosnufftheair.Astatelysquadronofsnowygeesewereridinginanadjoiningpond,convoyingwholefleetsofducks;regimentsofturkeysweregobblingthroughthefarmyard,andGuineafowlsfrettingaboutit,likeill-temperedhousewives,withtheirpeevish,discontentedcry.Beforethebarndoorstruttedthegallantcock,thatpatternofahusband,awarriorandafinegentleman,clappinghisburnishedwingsandcrowingintheprideandgladnessofhisheart,—sometimestearinguptheearthwithhisfeet,andthengenerouslycallinghisever-hungryfamilyofwivesandchildrentoenjoytherichmorselwhichhehaddiscovered.
