Page:A Picture-book without Pictures and Other Stories (1848).djvu/27

 He next went to the director of the theatre, requesting some appointment.

“You are too thin for the theatre,” was the answer he obtained.

“Oh,” replied poor Andersen, “only ensure me one hundred rix-dollars, and I will soon get fat!”

But the director would make no agreement of this kind, and then informed him that they engaged none at the theatre but people of education. This settled the question; he had nothing to say on his own behalf, and, dejected in spirit, went out into the street. He knew no human creature; he thought of death, and this thought turned his mind to God.

“When everything goes adversely,” said he, “then God will help me; it is written so in every book that I ever read, and in God I will put my trust!”

Days and weeks went on, bringing with them nothing but disappointment and despair; his money was all gone, and for some time he worked with a joiner. At length, as, with a heavy heart, he was walking one day along the crowded streets of the city, it