es me a claim
which may not be evaded. [_Reads._] "We, Deidrich Van
Slous, Burgomaster, and Rip Van Winkle, desirous of
providing for the prosperity of our offspring, do hereby
mutually agree that Herman Van Slous, and Lowena Van
Winkle, shall be united on the demand of either.
Whosoever of those contracted fails in fulfilling the
agreement shall forfeit their fortune to the party
complaining.--Rip Van Winkle--Deidrich Van Slous."
RIP. [_Aside._] Yes, dat is a fact--I remember dat baber, and I've
got him somevheres. [_Feels in his
pockets._
VEDDER. Lowena, I command that you consent to become Herman's wife--I
will not suffer that your fortune be sacrificed to--
HERMAN. And here is the now useless codicil.
RIP. [_Advancing, paper in hand._] Let me read it. [_All turn
amazedly towards him._] "Should the said Rip Van Winkle
tink fit to annul dis contract vithin twenty years and a
day, he shall be at full liberty to do so."
HERMAN. How came you by that document?
RIP. You see I've got it, and dat is a fact.
HERMAN. Who gave it to you?
RIP. Your old blackguard of a fader.
DAME. Oh, you are--you are--
RIP. Yes, I am--I am Rip Van Winkle! [_All start._--DAME, _with a loud
scream, falls into_ Knickerbocker's _arms._] Dere! for
de first time in my life, I have doubled up my old
woman!
KNICKERBOCKER _carries off_ DAME.
LOWENA. Oh, it is my father--my dear, dear father! [_Runs into his
arms._
RIP. Yes, and you are mein taughter, my darling dat I always was
love so! Oh, bless your heart, how you have grown since
last night as you was a little girl.
ALICE. [_Embracing him._] Oh, my poor dear brother.
RIP. Yes, I tink I am your broder 'cos you is my sister.
KNICKERBOCKER _returns._
ALICE. And here is my husband.
RIP. He is a much deal uglier, dan he used to vas before.
KNICKERBOCKER. [_Embracing him._] My blessed brother-in-law.
VEDDER. Ah! and now you have come back, I suppose you want your
wife!