Легенда о Сонной Лощине
Found Among The Papers Of The Late Diedrich Knickerbocker.
Notthoseofthebevyofbuxomlasses,withtheirluxuriousdisplayofredandwhite;buttheamplecharmsofagenuineDutchcountrytea-table,inthesumptuoustimeofautumn.Suchheapedupplattersofcakesofvariousandalmostindescribablekinds,knownonlytoexperiencedDutchhousewives!Therewasthedoughtydoughnut,thetenderolykoek,andthecrispandcrumblingcruller;sweetcakesandshortcakes,gingercakesandhoneycakes,andthewholefamilyofcakes.Andthentherewereapplepies,andpeachpies,andpumpkinpies;besidesslicesofhamandsmokedbeef;andmoreoverdelectabledishesofpreservedplums,andpeaches,andpears,andquinces;nottomentionbroiledshadandroastedchickens;togetherwithbowlsofmilkandcream,allmingledhiggledy-piggledy,prettymuchasIhaveenumeratedthem,withthemotherlyteapotsendingupitscloudsofvaporfromthemidst—Heavenblessthemark!Iwantbreathandtimetodiscussthisbanquetasitdeserves,andamtooeagertogetonwithmystory.Happily,IchabodCranewasnotinsogreatahurryashishistorian,butdidamplejusticetoeverydainty.
Hewasakindandthankfulcreature,whoseheartdilatedinproportionashisskinwasfilledwithgoodcheer,andwhosespiritsrosewitheating,assomemen’sdowithdrink.Hecouldnothelp,too,rollinghislargeeyesroundhimasheate,andchucklingwiththepossibilitythathemightonedaybelordofallthissceneofalmostunimaginableluxuryandsplendor.
