Children's Classics in Dramatic Form, A Reader for the Fourth Grade

by Augusta Stevenson

[The TWO TRAVELLERS journey along the road. A hatchet lies in the dust at one side.][¹]

FIRST TRAVELLER (seeing the hatchet, taking it up).[²] Ah, see what I have found!

SECOND TRAVELLER. Do not say I, but rather, what we have found.

FIRST TRAVELLER. Nonsense! Did I not see the hatchet first? And did I not take it up?

SECOND TRAVELLER. Well, then, claim the hatchet, since that is plainly your wish.

[Enter the CARPENTER.]

CARPENTER (to First Traveller). Aha, thief! Now I have caught you!

[He seizes the First Traveller.]

FIRST TRAVELLER. No thief am I, sir!

CARPENTER. But my own hatchet is in your hand, sir. Come along to the judge, sir!