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Have you ever seen a maiden? I mean what our pavers call a maiden, a
thing with which they ram down the paving-stones in the roads. A
maiden of this kind is made altogether of wood, broad below, and
girt round with iron rings. At the top she is narrow, and has a
stick passed across through her waist, and this stick forms the arms
of the maiden.
In the shed stood two Maidens of this kind. They had their place
among shovels, hand-carts, wheelbarrows, and measuring-tapes; and to
all this company the news had come that the Maidens were no longer
to be called "maidens," but "hand-rammers," which word was the
newest and the only correct designation among the pavers for the
thing we all know from the old times by the name of "the maiden."
Now, there are among us human creatures certain individuals who are
known as "emancipated women," as, for instance, principals of
institutions, dancers who stand professionally on one leg,
milliners, and sick-nurses; and with this class of emancipated women
the two Maidens in the shed associated themselves. They were
"maidens" among the paver folk, and determined not to give up this
honorable appellation, and let themselves be miscalled "rammers.
"Maiden is a human name, but hand-rammer is a thing, and we won't be
called things—that's insulting us."
"My lover would be ready to give up his engagement," said the
youngest, who was betrothed to a paver's hammer; and the hammer is
the thing which drives great piles into the earth, like a machine,
and therefore does on a large scale what ten maidens effect in a
similar way. "He wants to marry me as a maiden, but whether he would
have me were I a hand-rammer is a question, so I won't have my name
changed."
"And I," said the elder one, "would rather have both my arms broken
off."
But the Wheelbarrow was of a different opinion; and the Wheelbarrow
was looked upon as of some consequence, for he considered himself a
quarter of a coach, because he went about upon one wheel.
"I must submit to your notice," he said, "that the name 'maiden' is
common enough, and not nearly so refined as 'hand-rammer,' or 'stamper,'
which latter has also been proposed, and through which you would be
introduced into the category of seals; and only think of the great
stamp of state, which impresses the royal seal that gives effect to
the laws! No, in your case I would surrender my maiden name."
"No, certainly not!" exclaimed the elder. "I am too old for that."
"I presume you have never heard of what is called 'European
necessity?'" observed the honest Measuring Tape. "One must be able
to adapt one's self to time and circumstances, and if there is a law
that the 'maiden' is to be called 'hand-rammer,' why, she must be
called 'hand-rammer,' and no pouting will avail, for everything has
its measure."
"No; if there must be a change," said the younger, "I should prefer
to be called 'Missy,' for that reminds one a little of maidens."
"But I would rather be chopped to chips," said the elder.
At last they all went to work. The Maidens rode—that is, they were
put in a wheelbarrow, and that was a distinction; but still they
were called "hand-rammers."
"Mai—!" they said, as they were bumped upon the pavement. "Mai—!"
and they were very nearly pronouncing the whole word "maiden;" but
they broke off short, and swallowed the last syllable; for after
mature deliberation they considered it beneath their dignity to
protest. But they always called each other "maiden," and praised the
good old days in which everything had been called by its right name,
and those who were maidens were called maidens. And they remained as
they were; for the hammer really broke off his engagement with the
younger one, for nothing would suit him but he must have a maiden
for his bride.
Two Maidens
A Classic Children's Short Story
by
Hans Christian Andersen |
