Легенда о Сонной Лощине
Found Among The Papers Of The Late Diedrich Knickerbocker.
Inonecornerstoodahugebagofwool,readytobespun;inanother,aquantityoflinsey-woolseyjustfromtheloom;earsofIndiancorn,andstringsofdriedapplesandpeaches,hungingayfestoonsalongthewalls,mingledwiththegaudofredpeppers;andadoorleftajargavehimapeepintothebestparlor,wheretheclaw-footedchairsanddarkmahoganytablesshonelikemirrors;andirons,withtheiraccompanyingshovelandtongs,glistenedfromtheircovertofasparagustops;mock-orangesandconch-shellsdecoratedthemantelpiece;stringsofvarious-coloredbirdseggsweresuspendedaboveit;agreatostricheggwashungfromthecentreoftheroom,andacornercupboard,knowinglyleftopen,displayedimmensetreasuresofoldsilverandwell-mendedchina.
FromthemomentIchabodlaidhiseyesupontheseregionsofdelight,thepeaceofhismindwasatanend,andhisonlystudywashowtogaintheaffectionsofthepeerlessdaughterofVanTassel.Inthisenterprise,however,hehadmorerealdifficultiesthangenerallyfelltothelotofaknight-errantofyore,whoseldomhadanythingbutgiants,enchanters,fierydragons,andsuchlikeeasilyconqueredadversaries,tocontendwithandhadtomakehiswaymerelythroughgatesofironandbrass,andwallsofadamanttothecastlekeep,wheretheladyofhisheartwasconfined;allwhichheachievedaseasilyasamanwouldcarvehiswaytothecentreofaChristmaspie;andthentheladygavehimherhandasamatterofcourse.
