--- title: The Golden Treasure — Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen · full text with trees · page 2 description: The Golden Treasure, «Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen» by H. C. Andersen: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: The drummer's wife went into the church. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/) / The Golden Treasure # The Golden Treasure · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/) **2** - [101](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/101/) — With hurrah and song, adorned with green wreaths of victory, they came home, as the war was at an end, and peace had been signed. — checked by a teacher - [102](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/102/) — The dog of the regiment sprang on in front with large bounds, and made the way three times as long for himself as it really was. - [103](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/103/) — And days and weeks went by, and Peter came into his parents' room. - [104](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/104/) — He was as brown as a wild man, and his eyes were bright, and his face beamed like sunshine. - [105](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/105/) — And his mother held him in her arms; she kissed his lips, his forehead, and his red hair. - [106](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/106/) — She had her boy back again; he had not a silver cross on his breast, as his father had dreamt, but he had sound limbs, a thing the mother had not dreamt. - [107](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/107/) — And what a rejoicing was there! - [108](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/108/) — They laughed and they wept; and Peter embraced the old Fire-drum. - [109](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/109/) — "There stands the old skeleton still!" he said. - [110](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/110/) — And the father beat a roll upon it. - [111](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/111/) — "One would think that a great fire had broken out here," said the Fire-drum. " - [112](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/112/) — Bright day! fire in the heart! golden treasure! skrat! skr-r-at! skr-r-r-r-at!" - [113](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/113/) — And what then? - [114](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/114/) — What then!--Ask the town musician. - [115](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/115/) — "Peter's far outgrowing the drum," he said. " - [116](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/116/) — Peter will be greater than I." - [117](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/117/) — And yet he was the son of a royal plate-washer; but all that he had learned in half a lifetime, Peter learned in half a year. - [118](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/118/) — There was something so merry about him, something so truly kind-hearted. - [119](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/119/) — His eyes gleamed, and his hair gleamed too--there was no denying that! - [120](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/120/) — "He ought to have his hair dyed," said the neighbor's wife. " - [121](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/121/) — That answered capitally with the policeman's daughter, and she got a husband." - [122](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/122/) — "But her hair turned as green as duckweed, and was always having to be colored up." - [123](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/123/) — "She knows how to manage for herself," said the neighbors, "and so can Peter. - [124](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/124/) — He comes to the most genteel houses, even to the burgomaster's where he gives Miss Charlotte piano-forte lessons." - [125](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/125/) — He could play! - [126](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/126/) — He could play, fresh out of his heart, the most charming pieces, that had never been put upon music-paper. - [127](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/127/) — He played in the bright nights, and in the dark nights, too. - [128](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/128/) — The neighbors declared it was unbearable, and the Fire-drum was of the same opinion. - [129](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/129/) — He played until his thoughts soared up, and burst forth in great plans for the future: - [130](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/130/) — "To be famous!" - [131](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/131/) — And burgomaster's Charlotte sat at the piano. - [132](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/132/) — Her delicate fingers danced over the keys, and made them ring into Peter's heart. - [133](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/133/) — It seemed too much for him to bear; and this happened not once, but many times; and at last one day he seized the delicate fingers and the white hand, and kissed it, and looked into her great brown eyes. - [134](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/134/) — Heaven knows what he said; but we may be allowed to guess at it. - [135](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/135/) — Charlotte blushed to guess at it. - [136](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/136/) — She reddened from brow to neck, and answered not a single word; and then strangers came into the room, and one of them was the state councillor's son. - [137](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/137/) — He had a lofty white forehead, and carried it so high that it seemed to go back into his neck. - [138](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/138/) — And Peter sat by her a long time, and she looked at him with gentle eyes. - [139](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/139/) — At home that evening he spoke of travel in the wide world, and of the golden treasure that lay hidden for him in his violin. - [140](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/140/) — "To be famous!" - [141](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/141/) — "Tum-me-lum, tum-me-lum, tum-me-lum!" said the Fire-drum. " - [142](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/142/) — Peter has gone clear out of his wits. - [143](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/143/) — I think there must be a fire in the house." - [144](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/144/) — Next day the mother went to market. - [145](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/145/) — "Shall I tell you news, Peter?" she asked when she came home. " - [146](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/146/) — A capital piece of news. - [147](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/147/) — Burgomaster's Charlotte has engaged herself to the state councillor's son; the betrothal took place yesterday evening." - [148](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/148/) — "No!" cried Peter, and he sprang up from his chair. - [149](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/149/) — But his mother persisted in saying "Yes." - [150](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/150/) — She had heard it from the baker's wife, whose husband had it from the burgomaster's own mouth. - [151](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/151/) — And Peter became as pale as death, and sat down again. - [152](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/152/) — "Good Heaven! what's the matter with you?" asked his mother. - [153](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/153/) — "Nothing, nothing; only leave me to myself," he answered but the tears were running down his cheeks. - [154](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/154/) — "My sweet child, my golden treasure!" cried the mother, and she wept; but the Fire-drum sang, not out loud, but inwardly. - [155](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/155/) — "Charlotte's gone! - [156](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/156/) — Charlotte's gone! and now the song is done." - [157](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/157/) — But the song was not done; there were many more verses in it, long verses, the most beautiful verses, the golden treasures of a life. - [158](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/158/) — "She behaves like a mad woman," said the neighbor's wife. " - [159](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/159/) — All the world is to see the letters she gets from her golden treasure, and to read the words that are written in the papers about his violin playing. - [160](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/160/) — And he sends her money too, and that's very useful to her since she has been a widow." - [161](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/161/) — "He plays before emperors and kings," said the town musician. " - [162](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/162/) — I never had that fortune, but he's my pupil, and he does not forget his old master." - [163](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/163/) — And his mother said, - [164](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/164/) — "His father dreamt that Peter came home from the war with a silver cross. - [165](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/165/) — He did not gain one in the war, but it is still more difficult to gain one in this way. - [166](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/166/) — Now he has the cross of honor. - [167](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/167/) — If his father had only lived to see it!" - [168](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/168/) — "He's grown famous!" said the Fire-drum, and all his native town said the same thing, for the drummer's son, Peter with the red hair--Peter whom they had known as a little boy, running about in wooden shoes, and then as a drummer, playing for the dancers--was become famous! - [169](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/169/) — "He played at our house before he played in the presence of kings," said the burgomaster's wife. " - [170](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/170/) — At that time he was quite smitten with Charlotte. - [171](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/171/) — He was always of an aspiring turn. - [172](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/172/) — At that time he was saucy and an enthusiast. - [173](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/173/) — My husband laughed when he heard of the foolish affair, and now our Charlotte is a state councillor's wife." - [174](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/174/) — A golden treasure had been hidden in the heart and soul of the poor child, who had beaten the roll as a drummer--a roll of victory for those who had been ready to retreat. - [175](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/175/) — There was a golden treasure in his bosom, the power of sound; it burst forth on his violin as if the instrument had been a complete organ, and as if all the elves of a midsummer night were dancing across the strings. - [176](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/176/) — In its sounds were heard the piping of the thrush and the full clear note of the human voice; therefore the sound brought rapture to every heart, and carried his name triumphant through the land. - [177](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/177/) — That was a great firebrand--the firebrand of inspiration. - [178](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/178/) — "And then he looks so splendid!" said the young ladies and the old ladies too; and the oldest of all procured an album for famous locks of hair, wholly and solely that she might beg a lock of his rich splendid hair, that treasure, that golden treasure. - [179](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/179/) — And the son came into the poor room of the drummer, elegant as a prince, happier than a king. - [180](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/180/) — His eyes were as clear and his face was as radiant as sunshine; and he held his mother in his arms, and she kissed his mouth, and wept as blissfully as any one can weep for joy; and he nodded at every old piece of furniture in the room, at the cupboard with the tea-cups, and at the flower-vase. - [181](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/181/) — He nodded at the sleeping-bench, where he had slept as a little boy; but the old Fire-drum he brought out, and dragged it into the middle of the room, and said to it and to his mother: - [182](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/182/) — "My father would have beaten a famous roll this evening. - [183](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/183/) — Now I must do it!" - [184](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/184/) — And he beat a thundering roll-call on the instrument, and the Drum felt so highly honored that the parchment burst with exultation. - [185](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/185/) — "He has a splendid touch!" said the Drum. " - [186](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/186/) — I've a remembrance of him now that will last. - [187](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/187/) — I expect that the same thing will happen to his mother, from pure joy over her golden treasure." - [188](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/188/) — And this is the story of the Golden Treasure. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/39/) **2** - ← previous: [The Goblin and the Huckster](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/38/) - next →: [A Beginning](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/40/) - ↑ back to [Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/)