rip van winkle and the legend of sleepy hollow 07

chapter 4 the spirits of the Catskill mountains

there are some people standing near the door of the union hotel.but rip does not know anyone.they are not quite,slow and sleepy.they all seem noisy and fast.they talk quickly in loud voices.

where are my old friends.rip thinks.rip sees a thin man with many papers in his pockets.he's talking about political elections.liberty.the war of 76 and congress.these new words confuse rip.what is this man saying.what is congress? is it a town.what war of 76.rip thinks

soon everyone is looking at rip's long beard and strange clothes. the thin man asks him.are you a federal or a democrat.rip doesn't understand these words.an old gentleman asks rip.why do you have a gun?do you want to fight?oh,no,no says rip.I'm a poor quite man and king George is my king.

what king George.the people cry.this man is a spy.he is not an American.who is he?call the police.the old Gentleman asks.why are you here.I'm looking for my friends but I can't find them.rip says.who are your friends.asks the old gentleman.Nic B.says rip.Nic B.he's dead.and Dutcher and Brom.Dutcher is dead. and Brom is a congressman.says the old gentlem.rip is unhappy and confused.I'm alone in a strange world and no one knows me.does anyone know rip van winkle.he cries.oh,rip van winkle cry two people.yes he's sitting under that tree.

rip looks and sees a young man with dirty old clothes.is that me ?then who am I?asks rip.they look at him and say,he must be crazy.then a young woman carefully looks at rip. rip asks.what is your name?J G.what is your father's name?rip van winkle ,20 years ago,he went away and he never returned.she says.where is your mother.rip asks.she is dead.

rip embraces his daughter and says .I am your father.I'm rip van winkle.I'm old now.he turns to the crowd and says.does anyone remember rip van winkle?a very old woman says.yes.this man is rip van winkle senior.I remember him.

rip tells his incredible story.the people of the village can't believe his story is true.they ask old peter V.he is the oldest man in the village.he knows all the legends and stories of the Catskill mountains.

perter V says.mysterious things happen in the Catskill mountains.there are strange spirits living there.people say that every 20 years.Henrry Husson returns to see his river.and that he and his men play ninepins in those mountains.

It is late.and the people of the village go home.rip goes to live with his daughter and her family.and his son visits him everyday.he is very similar to his father.he does everyone's work.but not his own.

rip makes some new friends.everyone likes him.he doesn't really understand the American revolutionary war or the new nation called the united states of America.but he's a happy man now.he sits outside the union hotel and tells stories about the past.he also tells travelers about his 20 years long sleep.some people believe him.but some don't.