homas, and glanced upward at a notice affixed to the
door, 'Terms, Cash.'

"The stranger's eye followed the direction of Mr. Tubbs'. He smiled.

"'I frankly confess,' he said, 'that I shall not be able to pay
immediately, but, if I live, I will pay you within six months.'

"'How am I to feel sure of that?' asked the tailor, hesitating.

"'I pledge my word,' was the reply. 'You see, Mr. Tubbs, I have been
sick for some time past, and that, of course, has used up my money. Now,
thank Providence, I am well again, and ready to go to work. But I need
clothes, as you see, before I have the ability to pay for them.'

"'What's your name?' asked Thomas.

"'Oswald Rudenheimer,' was the reply.

"'A foreigner?'

"'As you may suppose. Now, Mr. Tubbs, what do you say? Do you think you
can trust me?'

"Thomas examined the face of his visitor. He looked honest, and the
little tailor had a good deal of confidence in the excellence of human
nature.

"'I may be foolish,' he said at last, 'but I'll do it.'

"'A thousand thanks!' said the stranger. 'You sha'n't repent of it.'

"The cloth was selected, and Thomas set to work. In three days the suit
was finished, and Thomas sat in his shop waiting for his customer. At
last he came, but what a change! He was splendidly dressed. The little
tailor hardly recognized him.

"'Mr. Tubbs,' said he, 'you're an honest man and a good fellow. You
trusted me when I appeared penniless, but I deceived you. I am really
one of the genii, of whom, perhaps, you have read, and lineally
descended from those who guarded Solomon's seal. Instead of making you
wait for your pay, I will recompense you on the spot, either in money
or----'

"'Or what? asked the astonished tailor.

"'Or I will grant the first wish that may be formed in your mind. Now
choose.'

"Thomas did not take long to choose. His charge would amount to but
a few dollars, while he might wish for a million. He signified his
decision.

"'Perhaps you have chosen wisely,' said his visitor. 'But mind that you
are careful about your wish. You may wish for something you don't want.'

"'No fear of that,' said the tailor cheerfully.

"'At any rate, I will come this way six months hence, and should you
then wish to be released from the consequences of your wish, and to
receive instead the money stipulated as the price of the suit, I will
give you the chance.'

"Of course, Thomas did not object, though he considered it rather a
foolish