“Having said this, the lively woman departed, and the youth soon reached the town in which he was to lodge. At the inn where he put up, he had a poor bed, and this vexed him very much. While he lay upon it, fretting and keeping himself awake with his murmurs, he heard the little woman’s voice, and looking up, there she was before him! ‘Lie down,’ said she--‘lie down!--and instead of magnifying the evils of your condition, consider that thousands are worse off than you. Your bed is small and rather hard, but how many are there that have no bed at all!’ “Doing as he was bid, the youth lay down, and closed his eyes, and was soon buried in sweet repose. The next morning, much refreshed, he arose and proceeded on his way. He travelled steadily until toward evening; being then much fatigued, and finding the road exceedingly rough, he became discouraged. So he sat down by the way-side, and gave himself up to despair. While he sat here, wailing at his fate, the lively woman leaped out from some bushes, and placed herself before him. ‘Courage, courage, my friend!’--said she, cheerily; ‘you have done a good day’s work to-day, and the place of rest, for the night, is near at hand. Then do not give way to despondence! Think not of the evils that you have suffered, or of those that lie before you: dwell rather upon the good things in your condition. Remember how much you have done--and how little remains to do, before sleep will restore strength to your limbs and courage to your heart.’ “Saying this, the bright-eyed lady lifted the youth from the ground, and reanimated him by her voice; he then left her, and proceeded cheerfully on his way. Soon he reached the place where he was to sleep for the night, and here he was soon buried in peaceful dreams. “The next day the youth proceeded on his journey--and for several days he continued to pursue it, until at last he had nearly reached the point to which he was bound. On every occasion when his courage had failed--when fatigue had oppressed him, or when difficulties had stared him in the face--the little lady, of flaxen hair and bright blue eyes, had come to his aid, and, chasing away his despondence, had given him new courage to proceed. As the youth came in sight of the city to which he was travelling, she appeared once more, and addressed him for the last time.