One day, Ichabod Crane met a girl named Katrina Van Tassel. She was eighteen years old. She was very beautiful and plump. She was the only child of a very rich farmer.
Katrina Van Tassel wore gold jewelry and expensive clothes. She liked to show her pretty feet and ankles. Ichabod Crane liked her very much. He liked her even more when he saw her father’s farm.
Baltus Van Tassel was a happy and rich farmer. His farm was beautiful and full of food. There were many pigs, geese, ducks, and turkeys. There were also many big trees and a clear stream.
Ichabod Crane looked at the animals. He did not see pets; he saw dinner. He thought about roasted pigs and turkey pies. He wanted to marry Katrina Van Tassel and own the farm.
He imagined selling the farm for a lot of money. He wanted to take the money and move to the West. He saw himself with Katrina Van Tassel and many children on a big wagon.
Ichabod Crane went inside the farmhouse. It was very big and clean. He saw many expensive things made of silver and china. He decided he must marry Katrina Van Tassel.
But there was a problem. Many other men wanted to marry her too. Ichabod Crane had a rival (a person who wants the same thing as you). His name was Brom Van Brunt.
Everyone called him Brom Bones. He was very big and strong. He had short, curly black hair. He was the best horse rider in the area. He was always ready for a fight or a joke.
Brom Bones was the leader of a group of rough men. When people heard a loud noise at night, they said, "That is Brom Bones and his friends!" Everyone in the town respected and feared him.
Brom Bones wanted to marry Katrina Van Tassel too. When his horse was outside her house, the other men stayed away. They did not want to fight a man as strong as a lion.
Ichabod Crane was not strong, but he was smart. He did not fight Brom Bones. He visited Katrina Van Tassel often to teach her singing. This made Brom Bones very angry.
Brom Bones wanted to fight Ichabod Crane. But Ichabod Crane stayed away from him. So, Brom Bones began to play jokes on the schoolmaster.
Brom Bones and his friends broke into the schoolhouse at night. They turned over the desks and chairs. They also blocked the chimney, so smoke filled the school. Ichabod Crane thought witches were in his school.