and, their residences being
only a short distance apart, the author of the 'Sketch Book'
frequently visited the 'Old Schoolhouse,' in which 'Squire Merwin' was
employed in teaching the young idea how to shoot, and subsequently
immortalized his name by making him the hero of one of his inimitable
tales, 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.'"

[Sidenote: _KATRINA VAN TASSEL HOUSE._]

A step further on, and across the highway, stands the Katrina Van
Tassel house, on whose blooming young mistress the Yankee pedagogue
was wont to cast longing eyes; this is the old Van Allen house, built
in 1717, says one, in 1735 according to another--a plain building
whose Holland bricks are still good, though somewhat the worse for
wear.

Soon the road crosses the Kinderhook Creek into the village by an
ancient covered bridge which has echoed to the thunder of many an old
"stage-wagon." The crossing is rather a long one, resulting in two
bridges with an interval of open between them. Down below the stream
rolls lazily along while the cattle, standing at ease, seem to catch
its indolent spirit. These streams, affording opportunity for water
power, appear to have drawn the settlers away from the banks of the
great river, and thus the towns grew up well inland from its shores.
Between Staatsburg and Greenbush, a matter of fifty-six miles, we find
only five towns on the river's edge, while back, along the Post Road,
or in its immediate vicinity, are some twenty villages both great and
small.

[Sidenote: _KINDERHOOK._]

Kinderhook--Children's Corner--as musical and attractive a name as one
could ask. It is said that a Dutchman once lived hereabouts whose
progeny was so numerous as to attract attention, even in the days of
large families, and so the place came by its name as a matter of
course.

Being a stranger in a strange land, I early sought out the good Dr.
C., who did not at first seem as genial as anticipation had pictured,
but finding, as the purpose of the call was explained, how truly
harmless was the intent, he suggested a tour of the village in his
company, confiding as we reached the outer air that he was so glad it
was not a book agent who had called; that he was delighted to do all
he could, and so it proved, for he could do and did all and more than
most would feel called upon to do for the casual stranger.

[Sidenote: _MARTIN VAN BUREN._]

Abraham Van Buren, father of Martin, was one of the early tavern
keepers of Kinderhoo