Interview with Katrina Van Tassel

(Interview with Lelia Byron as Katrina Van Tassel)

Before the party what did you think of Ichabod Crane?

Well Ichabod Crane was my psalmody teacher. I never really thought of him any other way except a kind schoolteacher, who was funny, witty, and polite. I did like him as a teacher, though.

When you saw Ichabod Crane enter your grandfather's mansion, what was your first thought?

Well, I knew he was coming, as I'd heard my grandfather speaking of it to my father. I merely let it pass through my mind, untouched and not thought of. However, when he strode through the doors, I noticed him differently. He was no longer just a kind, witty, funny, polite schoolteacher, but also an eligible suitor .

Why did you agree to dance with Ichabod Crane? Was it because you wanted to dance with him, or just politeness?

A bit of both I would say. I wanted to dance with Ichabod, but I wasn't going to because I was a bit shy then, also because Brom and I were courting. I did agree anyway, because I wanted to dance with Ichabod.

Did you enjoy dancing with Ichabod Crane? Why or Why not?

Yes, I enjoyed dancing with Ichabod Crane. He was a very good dancer and very fun to be with.

When you were dancing with Ichabod Crane you must have noticed Brom Bones brooding in a corner. What was your reaction? What did you do?

I didn't notice while I was dancing. I suppose because I was having such a good time with Ichabod, I didn't really notice anything else, except the music and the dancing (and Ichabod, of course). After the dancing was over, I went to help my mother and grandmother in the kitchen. My mother then told me what Brom was doing. I was upset, but I wasn't going to let Brom ruin my night.

What happened when you and Ichabod began to have a tête-à-tête? We heard that you “dismissed” him. In what way, and why?

Like I said, I was helping my mother and grandmother in the kitchen. After awhile, my mother told me to go out and enjoy myself. When I left the kitchen, though, the party was over. I did not know it was over yet, for before I could pass through the hallway that led to the parlor, Brom caught me. He led me to a small sitting room nearby, and shut the door. This is what he said to me, “Katrina, you know I would never lie to you. Just now I heard Crane talking to one of his comrades. He was bragging about his plan to marry you, and get all your money. He proposed a bet with his comrade. He bet that by tomorrow, he would have the entire Van Tassel fortune in the palm of his hand. Now Katrina, I only want to protect you. He said he would propose tonight.” I was horrified. I left Brom standing there and was running back to the kitchen for the advice of my mother and grandmother, but instead my father saw me and said, “Katrina, come here.” He introduced me to his comrades, and I said good day to them and answered their questions. I tried to slip away before Ichabod noticed me, but he called out “Katrina!” He came over and proposed, and I politely said no as gently as I could.

After Ichabod Crane left the party, how were you feeling? Were you planning to court with only Brom after that?

When Ichabod left, hanging his head, looking surprised and sad, I felt a little sad and regretful at first. But then I remembered he only wanted my money!! If he's sulking because he didn't get my money, then he's a terrible man!! I wasn't really thinking about being with Brom. I was only hoping Brom had heard Ichabod correctly.

 

When Ichabod Crane was not found, what were you thinking? What did you think happened to him?

When Ichabod was not found, I was praying that Ichabod really only wanted my money! If he's sulking because he didn't get my money, then he's a terrible man! When Ichabod was missing, I told Brom that I was worried about him. Brom told me that he knew what had happened to Ichabod. He said that since Ichabod was causing trouble by trying to marry me for my money, the Hessian headless horseman came and carried Ichabod away. Meanwhile, I considered the various ideas of the townspeople. After Brom told me about Ichabod and the headless horseman, I presented this idea to the townspeople, and we all believed that the horseman carried him off.

 

We heard that you married Brom. Are you happy with your marriage?

At first I was very happy with Brom. We were a young couple, newlyweds, as you would say. Then Washington Irving wrote, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and I found out the truth. Brom had lied to me about Ichabod. I was very angry with him then. I remember that I would not speak to him, and I stayed at my parents' house for a week. When I came back home to Brom, we were no longer happy. We were like two old people who had an arranged marriage.

 

Do you ever think of visiting Ichabod Crane? Have you ever visited him?