called for a needle and shears, a thimble and some thread, “for,” quoth he, “'tis a real crime to be idle.” 'Twould please him therefore to undertake such tailoring as the officials of the prison might desire. The keeper of the prison, remarking to himself that there could be no harm in this and with an eye to his own interest, ordered Jerry's materials fetched, keeping a stiff tongue about the matter. Thus several months slipped past and away, Jerry working so steadily that soon every jailor and official in the prison had a new turn-out. And what turnouts they were! As Jerry had furnished the material, and as they had naught to say about the style, he had fashioned them after ideas of his own.
One holiday—the King's birthday it was—when all but few of the prison officials were off for the festivities in their new suits, the crowds awaiting the arrival of the royal party were astounded to see the King and Judges and other big-wigs strolling carelessly down the street. "The king!" cried the little boys—"There goes the king." Straight way the crowd fell in behind with cheers and birthday wishes. The little girls strewed their roses, and the Lord Mayor burst forthwith into his birthday-speech with many brave gestures. But horrors! After the last straggler had disappeared 'round the corner came another King! Then—where was the speech of welcome—the cheering crowds—the flowers and the populace? Where indeed? Why, gone after the warden of the prison, the turnkeys and other officials, who, decked out in court attire by mischievous Jerry, might have fooled wiser men than they. And what could the King say—had he not scouted the notion of clothes making the man? Well, well! 'Twas easily remedied, the fellow should be released, for he, the King, needed some new clothes.
So next day Jerry and the three other tailors were set at liberty, and shortly the King appeared to order a robe. But, hoity-toity, here was another how-de-do, for Jerry and the three other tailors said they were minded not to work for
