Foolery!" is the cry. "It has happened just as hedeserved. Put the crack-brain under lock and key!"
  Then suddenly a little nail breaks, which had stopped themachine for a few moments; and now the wheels turn again, the floatsbreak the force of the waters, and the ship continues its course;and the beam of the steam engine shortens the distance between farlands from hours into minutes.
  O human race, canst thou grasp the happiness of such a minute ofconsciousness, this penetration of the soul by its mission, the momentin which all dejection, and every wound- even those caused by one'sown fault- is changed into health and strength and clearness- whendiscord is converted to harmony- the minute in which men seem torecognize the manifestation of the heavenly grace in one man, and feelhow this one imparts it to all?
  Thus the thorny path of honor shows itself as a glory, surroundingthe earth with its beams. Thrice happy he who is chosen to be awanderer there, and, without merit of his own, to be placed betweenthe builder of the bridge and the earth- between Providence and thehuman race.
  On mighty wings the spirit of history floats through the ages, andshows- giving courage and comfort, and awakening gentle thoughts- onthe dark nightly background, but in gleaming pictures, the thorny pathof honor, which does not, like a fairy tale, end in brilliancy and joyhere on earth, but stretches out beyond all time, even into eternity!
  THE END.
  1872
  FAIRY TALES OF HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
  THE TINDER-BOX
  by Hans Christian Andersen
  A SOLDIER came marching along the high road: "Left, right- left,right." He had his knapsack on his back, and a sword at his side; hehad been to the wars, and was now returning home.
  As he walked on, he met a very frightful-looking old witch inthe road. Her under-lip hung quite down on her breast, and she stoppedand said, "Good evening, soldier; you have a very fine sword, and alarge knapsack, and you are a real soldier; so you shall have asmuch money as ever you like."
  "Thank you, old witch," said the soldier.
  "Do you see that large tree," said the witch, pointing to a treewhich stood beside them. "Well, it is quite hollow inside, and youmust climb to the top, when you will see a hole, through which you canlet yourself down into the tree to a great depth. I will tie a roperound your body, so that I can pull you up again when you call outto me."
  "But what am I to do, down there in the tree?" asked the soldier.
  "Get money," she replied; "for you must know that when you reachthe ground under the tree, you will find yourself in a large hall,lighted up by three hundred lamps; you will then see three doors,which can be easily opened, for the keys are in all the locks. Onentering the first of the chambers, to which these doors lead, youwill see a large chest, standing in the middle of the floor, andupon it a dog seated, with a pair of eyes as large as teacups. But youneed not be at all afraid of him; I will give you my blue checkedapron, which you must spread upon the floor, and then boldly seizehold of the dog, and place him upon it. You can then open the chest,and take from it as many pence as you please, they are only copperpence; but if you would rather have silver money, you must go into thesecond chamber. Here you will find another dog, with eyes as big asmill-wheels; but do not let that trouble you. Place him upon my apron,and then take what money you please. If, however, you like goldbest, enter the third chamber, where there is another chest full ofit. The dog who sits on this chest is very dreadful; his eyes are asbig as a tower, but do not mind him. If he also is placed upon myapron, he cannot hurt you, and you may take from the chest what goldyou will."
  "This is not a bad story," said the soldier; "but what am I togive you, you old witch?