Happy Halloween! Instead of a trick or treat, we’d rather give you the double treat of a spooky story and a bullion giveaway. Following the launch of Provident’s exclusive Black Horse of Famine round, let’s stick with the equine theme and share a little bit about “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” a short fictional story by Washington Irving. With so many modern iterations of this old tale, we’re going to dig back into the roots of the original story that was first published in 1820.
The story is set in the fictional town of Sleepy Hollow, a quiet little town that was said to have been bewitched due to the mysterious sights and sounds that surrounded the area. Talk around town tells of a Headless Horsemen spectre, thought to be the ghost of a Hessian soldier who lost his head by a cannonball during the Revolutionary War. The story tells that he “rides forth to the scene of battle in nightly quest of his head.”
Within this eerie little town, we meet a meek, superstitious schoolteacher named Ichabod Crane. He courts young Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of a wealthy farmer. But Abraham “Brom Bones” Van Brunt also competes for her hand, and he and Ichabod find themselves in competition.
One night, Ichabod attends a harvest festival at the Van Tassel’s home, where he plans to propose to Katrina. However, he fails to secure her hand and rides home with a heavy heart. Along the way, his mind plays through the ghost stories told at the party by Abraham. Just as his imagination begins to swell in the moonlit woods, a cloaked horsemen appears at an intersection in a swamp. His head is not atop his shoulders, but instead resting on his saddle. Ichabod races across a bridge to escape the ghostly figure, but the Headless Horsemen throws his severed head directly at the man.
The next morning, Ichabod seems to have mysteriously disappeared. His horse, his hat, and a smashed pumpkin are the only remnants left behind. Katrina is left to marry Abraham in Ichabod’s absence. Though the ending is left open to interpretation, the story’s narrator tells us that the old Dutch wives believe that Ichabod was “spirited away by supernatural means,” leading to yet another legend of a lost spirit—that, perhaps, of Ichabod—wandering the woods.
Spooky stories and fun costumes are a staple during October, for adults as well as children. What is your Halloween costume this year? Commenting below will serve as your entry for our October giveaway. But remember to keep it classy; inappropriate comments will be deleted and disqualified. Submit your comment (one comment only please) by October 23, 2017. One winner will be randomly selected on October 24, 2017 to receive a Black Horse of Famine 1 oz silver round AND 1 oz copper round from our Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse series.
Good luck and don’t lose your head!
Anthony Jacobs says
I will be dressing as a fox, it was my daughters costume last year. I usually use my daughters costume from the year before. Nothing brightens up a boring day in the warehouse like a male 6′ 2″ Wonder Woman walking in!
Stephen Herz says
The thousand injuries of Fortunato I’d born as best I could, but whne he ventured on insult, I vowed revenge!
cheryl hausam says
I had a family and friends Halloween party every year. Anyone that came had to dress up! Even the dog!!!! So one year my dog was dressed up like a cow, with spots painted on her , a blown up rubber glove tied on for utters, and a cow nose. She was a great sport and wore it the entire day!
Steven Gibbs says
20 Years ago a friend and I decided to dress as ladys of the night. I learned a new respect for women and panty hose.
Matthew Ferkler says
I am going to be Link from the Legend of Zelda. My son who is six years old gavel me the idea . He’s going to be Link as well. I thought it would be cool because in the one Zelda game we play together there is a young Link. As the game progresses he turns into the grownup Link character. It will be a fun time!
Sandra Heikes says
Halloween is such fun for all the kids. I greet them at the door with my witches costume and we all scare one another.
D.Ray Hall says
I was once told by a dear friend, whom to which I was married, that I was not in any need of a costume. This, of course, was after a disagreement over something menial that had gotten somewhat heated. So after scrutinizing my appearance in the mirror, I decided I would no longer partake in costume wearing and in the process spend the savings on something a bit more tangible like silver.
Eric P says
Silver Surfer!
http://marvel.com/characters/53/silver_surfer
Joe sedtal says
My favorite month!
Yufeng Wang says
Have a great Halloween!
B says
Usually I am a clown, when I was little it was vampire or ninja lol
Adam Klingsheim says
Interesting story, thanks for the giveaway offer!!
John Donovan says
I’m going as Jack Skelator.
Melissa Mazias says
Not dressing up this year 🙁
Dylan S says
My better half, our two kiddos and I will be raiding and pillaging for candy as a full on Viking family.
Mikey B says
Love the good treats nd eats you get going door to door.
Ron gariglietti says
Passed on Kim Jung. Still looking for something that is better. Maybe Bernie Sanders…..
Bill Jarboe says
I dressed up as Charles Manson. It was a great costume, but no one knew who I was. I met my wife at this party and we looked through some old pictures and there was one of me in costume. She asked what was I. So I told her and she then stated that no one else knew who I was. The funny things was that this was 15 years after the party. So she went 15 years and never knew who I was.
Chris Lorenz says
Not dressing up just want free silver
Ellsworth Miller says
I’m gonna be a prospector / miner.
Rickey Haling says
What a great story. Cool how this coin release lines up with it!
Lue says
What would be really clever this year is to dress up as a bodiless horsmen. Maybe a big pumpkin for the body and just a normal face. Hell the horse should be bodiless too but its just one of those horseheads on a stick xD
Good idea right?
William Barron says
Best holiday of the year. Always have a huge block party with everyone dressed up.
Jonathan says
I’ll just dress up as an IT guy when I go to work, so normal everyday attire.
Gene says
In honor of the Pirate series silver I collected, I will be a Pirate this year. Love your prices, service and selection!
Nick Benoit says
Mwaa Haa Haa Haa
James layman says
I will be a zombie again I guess
TedtheRabbi says
Last time I dressed was at home to receive the trick-or-treaters. I dressed in black denim jeans, black sweatshirt hoodie, and black leather jacket. I turned on the porch light and set a bowl of candy on the porch steps. Then I stood dead still in the dark shadows at the side of the house, just a step away from the steps. The costumed kids would see the bowl of candy; and just as they reached out to get their treat, I would take one step out of the shadows into the light. Oh! What grateful screams they gave in return. Hahaha!
Joe Long says
Great story.. I’m going a gold mine from the 1800s love holloween
Stephen Dawson says
One Halloween night long ago I built a coffin and decorated our porch as a haunted house albeit a small one. I dressed up as a decaying corpse monster and hid in the coffin along with the candy bowl. The unlucky trick or treaters were instructed to lift the coffin lid to get the treat. The brave little gremlins and ghouls lifted the lid to see a wealth of candy spread before them all over this goulish figure and timidly reached in for their treat. Just as they began to relax and their fear had subsided, I lurched fourth with a throaty groan. Candy bags, implements, and sometimes a shoe or two went flying as the children and a few parents went screaming into the night. It was a laugh riot! That’s the best Halloween night we’ve ever had and too, the best costume I’ve ever donned. We moved to the country the next year and we rarely have trick or treaters anymore. There are definitely some advantages to living in a city neighborhood. Thanks for prompting a look back.
Steve