Легенда о Сонной Лощине
Found Among The Papers Of The Late Diedrich Knickerbocker.
Suchisthegeneralpurportofthislegendarysuperstition,whichhasfurnishedmaterialsformanyawildstoryinthatregionofshadows;andthespectreisknownatallthecountryfiresides,bythenameoftheHeadlessHorsemanofSleepyHollow.
ItisremarkablethatthevisionarypropensityIhavementionedisnotconfinedtothenativeinhabitantsofthevalley,butisunconsciouslyimbibedbyeveryonewhoresidesthereforatime.Howeverwideawaketheymayhavebeenbeforetheyenteredthatsleepyregion,theyaresure,inalittletime,toinhalethewitchinginfluenceoftheair,andbegintogrowimaginative,todreamdreams,andseeapparitions.
Imentionthispeacefulspotwithallpossiblelaud,foritisinsuchlittleretiredDutchvalleys,foundhereandthereembosomedinthegreatStateofNewYork,thatpopulation,manners,andcustomsremainfixed,whilethegreattorrentofmigrationandimprovement,whichismakingsuchincessantchangesinotherpartsofthisrestlesscountry,sweepsbythemunobserved.Theyarelikethoselittlenooksofstillwater,whichborderarapidstream,wherewemayseethestrawandbubbleridingquietlyatanchor,orslowlyrevolvingintheirmimicharbor,undisturbedbytherushofthepassingcurrent.ThoughmanyyearshaveelapsedsinceItrodthedrowsyshadesofSleepyHollow,yetIquestionwhetherIshouldnotstillfindthesametreesandthesamefamiliesvegetatinginitsshelteredbosom.
