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!
Congrats to our winner, Josh C! You will be emailed shortly to claim your prize. Have a happy Halloween and don’t forget to enter next month’s giveaway.
Congratulations Josh!
I’m going as a soldier from the future, in a post apocalyptic world.
I’ll be the Silver surfer and will drop a card w/candy to tell all the kids to invest in silver!
I will go as Robin Hood and my Yellow lab as Maid Marion. We will take candy from the giving and support our local food pantry.
Real horse of Mothers who have independent children and are off the payroll!
This would be an awesome addition to my collection!
my costume is donald trump
I read the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” as a kid 60 years ago and it pops into my head every Halloween. Unforgettable…
This giveaway is rigged…unless I win. Anyhow, good luck to all and “May the odds be ever in your favor”.
Headless but not penniless is the way I want to be remembered…while still alive…muuuaaahhhahhahha
My costume will be a witch.
would really like this …..pick me
I’ll be dressed as a tax collector, and take a percentage of every candy bowl around.
I am going to dress my dog as a ladybug. Her name is Luna, so a Luna bug. I am going to dress as a praying mantis and chase her around town. Happy halloween!
Happy Halloween everyone!!!
Happy Halloween
Happy Sam Hain
thanks for story and contest.
Beautiful coin!
I plan on being my scary ol self, but will pass out candy.
I’ll be dressed as a tired white collar office worker – without the collar.
I will be going as a transforming transformer!Hand made from cardboard of course!
Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween.
I’d love to dress up with my husband as Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss painting! 🙂
I will be lego Batman
I hadn’t given it a ton of thought yet, but Mahna Mahna would be pretty cool if I could find an adequate amount of green shag material.
A post apocalypse zombie hunter….in the style of mad max…spikes pads chains and leather….
I’m going to wear a Hotdog costume and call myself a Hallo-Weenie…
I’ll be handing out candy dressed as a bitter old white man.