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!
We are dressing as pirates all 5 of us
I’m dressing up as Icabod Crane,I even have a hugh pumpkin to go on my head..
As I have not had any Trick or Treaters in 3 years I expect a quiet evening at home watching TV and surfing the web.
I’m dressing up as a guy passing out candy.
My hubby, our two kiddos and myself will be raiding and pillaging for candy as a full on Viking family.
I will go dressed as a doctor, a purchased costume, but pretty cool, as supposed to cover in fake blood
Happy Halloween to everyone and have some fun this year.
I might dress up this year as a knight. My birthday is the 23rd so here is my shot at BIRTHDAY BULLION!! I Have all of the horses so far and cant wait for the 10 oz bar!
I’m going as Hank Hill and my wife as Flo from Progressive insurance. Our 10 year old will be Waldo.
Dress up as a yeti
I will be dressing up as a Mummy this year – Because most Americans in the General Public are Clueless about Precious Metal Investing and I will try and pass the word onto them by being a Mummy and it will allow be to be on there Level to talk with them about Investing in PRECIOUS METALS.
Im going as a piece of bacon. Trying to get my son to be a sausage link.
Good times!!
Unfortunately, a truck driver, it’s my job, I’ll be away from Family and Friends. 🙁
happy goblin day
No costume this year for me. I have to work graveyard shift in the ICU. We do see things late at night in the old soldiers hospital aka VA.
We are dressing up as Mulan and Li Shang. Thanks for the chance to win!
I’ll be dressing up as a spider witch. Now I just need to convince my cats to wear little spider costumes and it’ll be perfect
My wife and I are going as zombies, my son a firefighter and my daughter a unicorn. Interesting combo right lol. No one is never on the same page haha.
I’m really into Addidas so this year I’m going as an 80’s gym teacher. I have a top to bottom tracksuit including wristbands, headband and whistle. I have sneakers too. Not scared? Give me 50 laps and see how you feel.
I took my 9 year old son to the halloween store last night because he wanted to pick out a new costume. He had his mind set on a spooky clown costume, but decided on a really cool Sinister Jester costume. The costume is complete with matching pants, shirt, mask, and jester hood. To really make it complete, he wanted the matching staff which is topped with a sinister jester head piece, so of course I bought it. Now he is trying to perfect a sinister clown/jester laugh that he can use for his “trick” when trick or treating. We will trick or treat together and I will be wearing a gothic vampire costume complete with face paint. This will make for some really good memories and pictures.
My fiancee and I are dressing up as Wayne and Garth. Party time! Excellent!
I’ll be Pennywise and my wife will be Georgie.
I’m gonna dress up a a 8 year old…..but it’s going to be difficult, being 62. lol
☺ Halloween to all and too all a good night
Heading out as a ‘Silver Alert’. The wife as a Groot groupie
Halloween was special for me as a child. Now, I love seeing the kids in their costumes. Brings back fond memories!
I’ll be dressed as my Mother-in-law.
I’m going to a work party dressed up as a nurse
I will dress as a ghost – hopefully a friendly one.
I think I’ll be going as Famine on my black horse! I’ve spent so much on coins in the last few months I have no money left for food!