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!
I am going to wrap myself in tin foil and go to an office party as “bullion”
Pennywise the Clown
Have a great Halloween!
I am going to be Donald Duck. My3 year old grandson will be Mickey Mouse and my 1 year old granddaughter will be Mini Mouse.
Unfortunately I have to work Halloween, but usually someone brings in candy, so that’s always fun.
I’m thinking of dress up like big Tex from state fair.
I’m 6’7″ with a five year old.
I am going a Groot and he will be baby Groot/
Dracula
Be thrilled to win.
Not dressing up, but giving to needy kids and enjoying seeing them smile with their gifts.
I’m 4’15” and bow legged. So I decided one year to dress as a leprechaun. The costume went over great and is also a hit on St. Patrick’s Day! This was my third year and this time I grew my own beard.
One year I glued wolf nose and ears on and tons of costume facial hair all over face and back of my hands. Ratted my long hair so it stuck out in all directions and sprayed my blonde hair brown to match the facial hair. Donned hubby’s jeans and flannel shirt and went to work. No one knew who the werewolf was or even that I was a woman until I had to sit at my own desk. Such fun! Until I tried eating lunch and had to keep smoothing hair away from my mouth…how do men with full beards do that?? lol!
Great story! As a father of a three year old who wants to be Harley Quinn for Halloween, I will be The Joker this year!
Not dressing up anymore but went years ago as the headless horseman holding an evil looking jack-o-lantern, dressed all in black with a long black cape astride my solid black quarter horse! Sure miss him! Good times! Used the cape next year, got a flat brim Spanish hat , borrowed a cool sword from a friend & went as Zorro
Being born in October I’ve always loved Halloween. this year I get to take my 1 year old son.
My newest passion of collection beside cactus is now coins.
I’ll be Thor on my spooky Tuesday. Making the costume as we speak.
Words of wisdom….”Be a child where everything is possible”
Happy Halloween
Great story! Haven’t decided on a costume yet this year. Nothing like rushing around at the last minute.
I will be dressed as a old man wearing bib overalls
Great story! Thanks for sharing. My boyfriend and I are dressing up twice, once as Trump and Melania, and then again as an 80s dance duo.
Fun fun 🙂
I’m going to be Melania Trump and my girlfriend will be Donald Trump. Happy Halloween!
Great story and still scary.
Nice rundown. had “kinda” forgotten it.
Now I’ll make sure to watch a video of it.
thanks Provident Metals.
Your company has the most beautiful coins that I have been able to find online. Have a great day and a happy Halloween.
I’ll be dressed as an overweight middle-aged man. Pretty scary, I know
For my costume I have a light blue shirt. I’m going to attach cotton balls to it and walk around with a squirt bottle. When people ask me what I am, I’m going to squirt them and say, “Partly cloudy with a chance of rain.”
Jason and trying to get the wife to do the baby as chucky! Happy Halloween!
Sleepy Hollow is lots of fun to visit this time of year. You should check it out if you are in the Hudson Valley area of New York.
Have a great Halloween!
Nice series.
Halloween is the best with a harvest moon or full moon.
Have a safe (and scary) Halloween.
Love Halloween