money first, it will never be any
different. Thirdly, in a year's time from to-night, meet me at this
spot, and tell me how you have prospered. Will you keep these conditions
faithfully?"

"Ye-y-es! your worship!" stammered the 'prentice.

"Then, how are you, Mr. Gold Stone!" exclaimed the goblin, in advance
of the age; and, with an outrageous wink, he treated Bartlemy to another
whack with the yardstick, and vanished.

The blow struck our tailor insensible; and when his eyes again unclosed
it was broad daylight. For a moment he stared about him, wondering how
he came to be there; then, remembering the extraordinary events of the
previous night, he hastily felt in his pouch, and drew out the
miraculous jewel. It flamed in the sunlight like a bright diamond eye,
and Bartlemy almost fancied he caught it winking at him. This idea
lasted but a moment, and having taken a long and delighted stare at the
much-desired Gold Stone, he replaced it carefully in his pouch, and
started straight for London. As he passed the newly-opened bakers'
shops, he could not help wishing that he had a half-penny in the world,
so that he might change it into a crown on the spot, and buy a basketful
of hot rolls; but as the Gold Stone was not warranted to _make_ money,
he was forced to take it out in wishing. Fortunately one of the bakers,
seeing him gaze hungrily at the hot bread, had the kindness to toss him
a large roll; and, munching this, he arrived at his master's shop.

After the way in which he had been turned out, he hadn't much hope of
getting in again, but, afraid of disobeying the goblin's injunctions,
he entered with as much courage as he could muster, and found the other
tailors stitching away as usual, while his master cut out a coat.

Bartlemy took his cap humbly off, saying, "Please, master, if you will
employ me as a workman now, I think I can please you. Do try me; I will
be industrious; indeed, I will."

"Oh," grumbled the master tailor, "sleeping out in the fields and going
without supper and breakfast has done you good, has it? Well, take this
coat and sit you down; but I warn you, beforehand, that if you are not
more industrious than usual, I will lay my yardstick over your shoulder,
and clear you out again."

Bartlemy took the work, and having planted himself on the shop-board[A]
in his favorite place, near a window, he put on his thimble, threaded
his needle with a grand flourish, and began to stitch away for dear