plaining.

"Rip Van Winkle"
"Derric Van Slaus."

But here's a codicil. "Should the said Rip Van Winkle think fit to annul
this contract within twenty years and a day, he shall be at full liberty
to do so. (Signed) Derric Van Slaus." The document is perfect in every
form. Rip Van Winkle, 'tis stated, is defunct. Is there any one present
to prove his signature?

HERMAN.

Mr. Knickerbocker, if he dare be honest, will attest it.

KNICKERBOCKER.

Dare be honest, sir! presume you to question my veracity? How was that
bond obtained?

HERMAN.

Why should you ask? The late Rip Van Winkle, anxious for the prosperity
of his offspring, though too indolent to provide for their subsistence,
persuaded my deceased father to form this alliance.

KNICKERBOCKER.

It's a lie! Hum!--

JUDGE.

Restrain this violence! a court of justice must not be swayed by such
proceedings.

HERMAN.

Behold! sir, a picture of their general effrontery. In a public tribunal
to threaten those, who, in pleading their own rights, but advocate the
cause of justice.

LORRENNA.

[_Comes down stage._] All my hopes vanish--bleak and dreary is the
perspective.

HERMAN.

[_Advances._] At last I triumph! Now, lady, your hand or your
inheritance.

LORRENNA.

My hand! never! Welcome were every privation to an union with one so
base.

JUDGE.

It appears, then, that this signature is not denied by the defendant,
and in that case the contract must stand in full force against her.

LORRENNA.

Oh, Alice, take me home: poverty, death, anything rather than wed the
man I cannot love. [_She is led off by_
ALICE.

KNICKERBOCKER.

Why, damn it, Judge!

JUDGE.

Mr. Knickerbocker!

KNICKERBOCKER.

I beg pardon, I meant no disrespect to the court, but I had thought
after--

JUDGE.

I have decided, Mr. Knickerbocker.

KNICKERBOCKER.

Oh! you have decided. Yes, and a damned pretty mess you've made of it.
But I sha'n't abide by your decision; I'll appeal to a higher court. I
am now a member of the Legislature, and if they allow such blocks as you
on the bench, I'll have a tax upon timber, sir--yes, sir, a tax upon
timber. [_Exit, in a rage._

JUDGE.

Twenty years and a day is the period within which the contract could be
cancelled by the negature of