He often carried the alderman’s wig when his master attended the town meetings, and the mayor of the city, who was a good man, was much taken with his intelligent face.  So one day he said to the alderman,

“I have long wanted to adopt a son, for I have no children of my own; but I have not yet been able to find a boy to suit me.  That lad of yours looks bright and intelligent, and he seems a well-behaved boy into the bargain.”

“He is all that you say,” returned the alderman, “and would be a credit to you should you adopt him.”

“But before I adopt a son,” continued the mayor, “I intend to satisfy myself that he is both wise and shrewd enough to make good use of my money when I am gone.  No fool will serve my purpose; therefore I shall test the boy’s wit before I decide.”

“That is fair enough,” answered the alderman; “but in what way will you test his wit?”

“Bring him to my house to-morrow, and you shall see,” said the mayor.

So the next day the alderman, followed by Tommy and a little terrier dog that was a great pet of his master, went to the grand dwelling of the mayor.  The mayor also had a little terrier dog, which was very fond of him and followed him wherever he went.

When Tommy and the alderman reached the mayor’s house the mayor met them at the door and said: 

“Tommy, I am going up the street, and the alderman is going in the opposite direction.  I want you to keep our dogs from following us; but you must not do it by holding them.”

“Very well, sir,” replied Tommy; and as the mayor started one way and the alderman the other, he took out his handkerchief and tied the tails of the two dogs together.  Of course each dog started to follow its master; but as they were about the same size and strength, and each pulled in a different direction, the result was that they remained in one place, and could not move either one way or the other.

“That was well done,” said the mayor, coming I back again; “but tell me, can you put my cart before my horse and take me to ride?”

“Certainly, sir,” replied Tommy; and going to the mayor’s stable he put the harness on the nag and then led him head-first into the shafts, instead of backing him into them, as is the usual way.  After fastening the shafts to the horse, he mounted upon the animal’s back, and away they started, pushing the cart before the horse.

“That was easy,” said Tommy.  “If your honor will get into the cart I ’ll take you to ride.”  But the mayor did not ride, although he was pleased at Tommy’s readiness in solving a difficulty.

After a moment’s thought he bade Tommy follow him into the house, where he gave him a cupful of water, saying,

“Let me see you drink up this cup of water.”

Tommy hesitated a moment, for he knew the mayor was trying to catch him; then, going to a corner of the room, he set down the cup and stood upon his head in the corner.  He now carefully raised the cup to his lips and slowly drank the water until the cup was empty.  After this he regained his feet, and, bowing politely to the mayor, he said,