Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-05-05
9glonth's Column.
THE LITTLE MATCH-GIRL.
BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.

poor little girl, with bare head and
naked feet, was roaming through the
streets. 1t is true she had pair of
slippers when she left home, but they
we're not Of much use. They were very
large slippers; so large, indeed, that
they had Hitherto been used by her
mother besides, the little creature lost
them as she hurried across the street, to
avoid two carriages that we're driving
very quickly past. One of the slippers
was not to be found, and the other was
bounced upon by boy who ran away
with it, saying it would serve for a
cradle when he should have children of
his own. So the little girl went along,
with her little bare feet that were red
and blue with cold. She carried num-
Der of matches in an old apron, and she
held bundle of them in her hand.
Nobody had bought anything from her
the whole livelong day nobody had
even given her penny.
Shivering with cold and hunger. she
crept along, perfect picture of misery
poor little thing! The snow flakes
covered her long haxen hair, which hung
in pretty curls around her throat; but
she needed them not now. Lights were
streaming from all the windows, and
there was savory smell of roast goose,
for it was New Years Eve. And this
she did heed.
She now sat down, covering in cor
ner formed by two houses, one of which
projected beyond the other. She had
drawn her little feet under her, but she
felt colder than ever: yet she dared not
return home, for she had not sold a
match, and could not bring home pen
ny! She would certainly be beaten by
her father; and it was cold enough at
home, besides, for they had only the
roof above them, and the wind came
bowling through it, though the largest
holes had been stopped with straw and
rags. Her little hands were nearly
frozen with cold. Alas a single match
might do her some good, if she might
only draw one out of the bundle, and
rub it against the wall, and warm her
fingers.
So at last she drew one out. All
how it sheds sparks, and how it burns
1t gave out warm, bright fame, like a
little candle, as she held her hand over
it,-truly it was wonderful little light
1t really seemed to the little girl as if
she were sitting before large iron stove,
with polished brass feet, and brass shovel
and tongs. The fire burned so brightly,
and warmed SO nicely, that the little
creature stretched out her feet to warm
them likewise, when 10 the fame ex-
pired, the stove vanished, and left moth
ing but the little half-b burnt match in
her hand.
She rubbed another match against the
wall. 1t gave a light, and where ii
shone upon the WALL the latter became
as transparent as veil, and she could
see into the room. A snow-white table.
cloth was spread upon the table, or
which stood splendid china dinner
service, while roast goose stuffed with
apples and prunes, sent forth the mos
savory fumes. And what was more de
lightful still to see, the goose jumped
down from the dish, and waddled along
the ground with knife and fork in it
breast, up to the poor girl. The mattel
then went out, aud nothing remained
but the thick. damp wall.
She lit another match. She now sa
under the most magnificent Christina
tree, that was larger, and more superbl
decked, than ever the one she had seel
through the glass door at the rich mer
chants. A thousand tapers burned Of
its green branches, and gay pictures
such as one sees on shields, seemed t
be looking down upon her. She stretches
out her hands, but the match then wen
out. The Christmas lights kept risin
higher and higher. They now locke
like stars in the sky. One of them fel
down, and left long streak of fire
Somebody is now dying" thought tn
little girl,-for her old grandmother
the only person who had ever loved hel
and who was now dead, had told hel
that, when star falls, it is a sign tina
q soul is going up to heaven.
She again rubbed match upon til
wall, and it was again light all round
and in the brightness stood her oil
grandmother, clear and shining like
spirit, yet looking so mild and loving
Grandmother" cried the little Oh,
''Oh, take me with youl l know 20
will 60 away when the match goes GU
you will vanish like the warm stow
aud the delicious roast goose, and tt
fine, large Christmas tree !" And 81
made haste to rub the whole bundle
matches, for she wished to hold her. Of
grandmother fast. And the match,
gave a light that was brighter tina
monday. Her grandmother had new,
appeared so beautiful nor so large. 81
took the little girl in her arms, ar