Page 34 - THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW
P. 34

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow


                                  pewter buckles. Their brisk, withered little dames, in close
                                  crimped caps, long waisted short-gowns, homespun
                                  petticoats, with scissors and pin-cushions, and gay calico
                                  pockets hanging on the outside. Buxom lasses, almost as

                                  antiquated as their mothers, excepting where a straw hat, a
                                  fine ribbon, or perhaps a white frock, gave symptoms of
                                  city innovation. The sons, in short square-skirted coats,
                                  with rows of stupendous brass buttons, and their hair
                                  generally queued in the fashion of the times, especially if
                                  they could procure an eelskin  for the purpose, it being
                                  esteemed throughout the country as a potent nourisher
                                  and strengthener of the hair.
                                     Brom Bones, however, was the hero of the scene,
                                  having come to the gathering on his favorite steed
                                  Daredevil, a creature, like himself, full of mettle and
                                  mischief, and which no one but himself could manage. He
                                  was, in fact, noted for preferring vicious animals, given to
                                  all kinds of tricks which kept the rider in constant risk of
                                  his neck, for he held a tractable, wellbroken horse as
                                  unworthy of a lad of spirit.
                                     Fain would I pause to dwell upon the world of charms
                                  that burst upon the enraptured gaze of my hero, as he
                                  entered the state parlor of Van Tassel’s mansion. Not those
                                  of the bevy of buxom lasses, with their luxurious display of



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