Page:The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen (c1899).djvu/268

 IV.—AN EVENTFUL MOMENT—A VERY UNUSUAL JOURNEY

VERY inhabitant of Copenhagen knows what the entry to Frederick's Hospital is like, but as it is probable that some non-residents in that town may read this little tale, we will give a short description of its appearance.

The hospital is divided from the street by a rather high iron railing, the bars of which are so wide asunder that, it is said, very slim fellows have squeezed themselves through, and gone to pay their visits in the town. The part of the body most difficult to get through was the head; so in this, as in most cases in the world, the little heads were the best off. Thus much may serve as an introduction to what follows.

One of the young assistants, who had, only physically speaking, a large head, was upon duty this very evening. The rain was pouring down; yet, in spite of these two obstacles, he positively wanted to go out. It was only for a quarter of an hour, therefore not worth while, thought he, to let the porter into his confidence, if he could but slip through the iron railings. There lay the goloshes the watchman had forgotten; and though it never occurred to him that it could be those of Happiness, he thought they might do him good service in such weather, and therefore he put them on. Now, the question was, whether he could squeeze himself through the railings, which he had hitherto never attempted. And there he stood.

"Would to Heaven my head was on the other side!" said he; when, big as it was, it instantly slipped safely through. The goloshes had contrived to effect this; but now the body must needs follow, and that was no easy job.

"I am too stout," said he. "I thought the head was the worst. I shall not be able to get through!"

He now attempted to withdraw his head suddenly, but this he found impracticable. He could move his neck easily enough, but that was all. His first feeling was vexation; but in a few seconds his spirits fell below zero. The Goloshes of Happiness had brought him into this dreadful scrape, and, unluckily, it did not occur to him to wish himself well out of it. No, instead of wish- ing, he kept striving, but without being able to free himself. The rain continued pouring down, and not a being was to be seen in the street. He could not reach the bell, and how was he to get loose? He foresaw that he must stand here until dawn, when a locksmith must be sent for, to file the iron rails. But that would be a long job: the charity-school opposite would be astir; and the whole adjoining neighbourhood, that is swarming with sailors, would come to see him standing in the pillory, and there would be such a crowd!

"Oh! the blood rushes to my head so that I shall go mad!" cried he. "Yes! I am crazy. Oh! would that I could get loose, and then it would pass off."

He should have said so sooner. At the very moment the wish was expressed, his head was freed, and he started back, half distracted by the fright the Goloshes of Happiness had occasioned him.

But it must not be thought his trials ended here—no! more things were yet to come. The night and the day following had passed by, and the goloshes were not claimed.