dood-kocks, and niciiivjaarskocks, rather than the trifling knickcr, stood sponsor to that Dutchest of titles, and that the first Knickerbocker of eminence was Volckert Jan Pietersen Van Amsterdam, whose name was too long for even the patience of his neighbours, who shortened it to Baas -- that is to say. Boss. If this etymology be correct, Boss Knickkerbakker Volckert Jan Pietersen Van Amsterdam seems to be entitled to a monument or other memorial, broad enough to bear the full inscri|_)tion of his name. An ancient Albany tradition is that of the witch who visited his shop on New Year's eve and demanded of Baas Jan a dozen New Year's cookies. She threw a piece of wampum or seawant on the counter, and watched the baker sharply as he counted out twelve of the cakes. "Thirteen," she said. "I want thirteen; here are only twelve." " You said a dozen, and twelve are a dozen," shouted Baas.

" I tell you, I want one more!" screamed the hag. Baas pointed to the door. " Go to the Duyvel and get the thirteenth!" he yelled, growing purple in the face with rage. The witch went away, threatening the baker with dire calamity, and her words were not empty ones, as the event proved, for from that time Baas and his poor wife Maritje knew no peace. For a year everything went wrong. The chimney fell in, the neighbours fell

An Old Dutch Town 537 out, the trade fell off. It was a l)ad season and the rotund haker and his wife shrank pereeptiblv. Then Xew \'ear's eve eanie again, and while Baas stood Ijehind his counter and thought gloomily of his changed condition, suddenly the hag stood before him once more.