The story
“Biddy Brady rebukes her husband, Patrick, for sitting on the porch and communing with his pet goat when it is time he were off to his job in the morning. ‘It’s your birthday, Biddy, dear,’ says Patrick, ‘and I was only thinking up the grand surprise I’d be giving you.’ That evening, his work done, Patrick tries to light his homegoing pipe with the only match left in his pocket. Of course, the match goes out. Looking hopelessly about, his eye chances to fall upon a queerly-shaped bottle lying on a rubbish heap. He picks it up and opens it. A cloud of smoke rushes forth, and from it emerges a genie. ‘Thank you for your kindness,’ says the spirit, ‘for setting me free. I will gladly grant the next three wishes you may have, and the next three wishes of your noble wife.’ Patrick is too flabbergasted to speak for a moment. Then he remembers his pipe. Instantly it is lighted—but without the aid of a visible match. The apparition commands Patrick to clap his hands three times if he should need his services again, and vanishes.
“Pat stops at Riley’s saloon to have a drink with a friend. Biddy, meanwhile, unconscious that her next three wishes are to be granted, perspiring over the washtub, longs to have the weather cooler. Immediately it turns so chilly that she is obliged to go put on a coat. Then, of course, she wishes it was warm again. Her third desire is that Patrick would get home. Pat leaves Riley’s considerably against his wishes. In front of his house, he remembers that he has neglected to prepare Biddy’s birthday surprise. He summons the genie. Pat explains the situation to the visitor from fairyland, who looks into the window of his humble abode and says, loftily, ‘I can change that wretched room into an Egyptian harem.’ ‘Show me!’ says the Irishman. The next instant there is a shriek from Biddy within. Her washtub has changed into a mass of roses, and the other objects around her are transforming themselves so fast she cannot recognize her own kitchen at all. Rushing out of doors, she hauls Patrick inside. He unwisely explains that this is simply his little surprise for her. Biddy is violently enraged. She pulls up her sleeves, and her husband takes refuge behind some of the furniture. Hastily summoning the genie for the third and last time, Pat mutters, ‘Put everything back as it was, you spalpeen, and beat it!’ Instantly the room is restored. ‘Sure and I’m not seeing anything so extraordinary,’ says her husband, ‘I’m afeared it’s drinking again, Biddy darling, you’ve been—and this your birthday.’ Tearfully, Biddy admits as much, and, taking the flask from her apron pocket, she throws it out of the window. The crafty Patrick smokes his mysteriously lighted pipe in peace.”
Summary from Reel Life · 4 September 1915
