Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-03-19
The Fir Tree.
Translated from the German OF Hans Chris.
tIRn Andersen.

tiRn Andersen.
Away in the forest was delicate little fir
tree. 1t had good place in the sun and
pleasant air; aIlaround were its larger COM
rades, as well as pines The little fir wished
ever so longingly to itself to become larger!
1t needed not the warm sun and the fresh
air. it cared not for the peasant children who
gathered there and chatted when they came
forth to gather raspberries and Strawberries.
Oft they came with great pail full or had
the Strawberries strung upon spire of grass; ;
then they sat down near the little fir tree
and said Indeed how pretty and small is
thatl'' This the tree could not endure.
In the following year it was one long
branch larger, and the year thereafter it
was yet one more in length; for in the fir
tree one can always see by the numerous
joints, which they have, how many years
they have been growing.
20, would that | were rs great tree as
the othersr sighed the little tree; "for then
could broaden out my little limbs on all
sides and from my summit look into the
world! The birds would then build their
nests among my branches and if the wind
blew i would nod as grandly rs the others
yonder.
1t had no joy in the sunshine, in the birds
and in the ruddy clouds which night and
morning sailed overhead.
Then if it was winter, and the snow lay
sparkling white upon the ground all about,
frequently hare sprang upon it or leaped
right over the little tree-O, that was so vex-
atiousi But two winters passed away and
then was the little tree so large that the
hares were obliged to run around it. D, grow.
grow! become great and old; that is surely
the single beauty in this world, thought the
tree.
In the autumn the woodcutter always
came and felled some of the largest trees
that happened every year, and the young fir
tree which had now grown quite large shud-
dered thereat; for the great beautiful tree:
fell to the earth with IL crack and a crash,
their branches were Topped off, the trunks
seemed wholly naked, long and slim. More
they scarcely knew, but then they were
laid upon wagons and horses drew them on
of the forest. Whittier must they go? VIVA
awaited themP
In the spring as the swallows and stork'
came back the tree asked them: "Know yor
not, whittier they were borne? Have you
not met them?"
The swallows knew nothing but stOrl
nodded after moment and said; Eyes,
know we'll! met many new ships on my
way from Egypt and they had beautiful
masts 1t was they dare say; they ha
4 a., E.,o hoa
tiful were they indeed
80, would that too were large enough s,
that could go upon the sea- What peculia
is there in the sea and how does 1t appear?'
Surely to explain that were too tedious,
said the stork and he went away.
Joy to thee in thy youth" murmure
the sunshine; "rejoice in thy fresh growt
and in thy young lifc."
And the wind kissed the tree and the dey
wept tears upon it; but the fir tree compre
hended not their meaning
When 1t drew near to Christmas, quit
young trees were felled, trees which wer
often not so large nor of an equal age Will
this fir had neither peace nor rest, but eve
wished for the like fate. These young trees
retained all their limbs and were laid upo
the wagons and the cattle drew them away
"Whither should they go?" asked the Fl
tree. They are no larger then myself; eve
one there was which was much smaller VIII
do they retain all their branches? WhithC
do they goP"
THAT we know! That we known twittel
ed the sparrows. "In town did we look il
to window We, we know whittier the
90. They are become most beautiful al
splendid! We looked in at the window an
saw that they were planted in n warm roo
and covered with the most beautiful thing
golden apples, honey cakes, playthings al
many hundred little tapers."
"And then-P" asked the fir tree and c
cry leaf rustles with joy, "And then5 VIII
happened thenP"
Indeed, we saw no more! That alo
was beyond any other pleasure"
II wonder If such shining course is
me?" shouted the tree, THAT is better eve
than 10 go upon the ocean. How suffer
longing! Would that it were Christine
Would that were already upon the WACO
or in the warm room with the rest of Il
beauty and splendOr. And then-P Sure
then will come something better. somethi
yet more beautiful; else why should u
adorn me SOP II must be something 81
greater. even more SPLENDID, which-H
whatP o, suffer with longing 1 know I
what awaits me-