A German shoemaker left the gas turned on in his shop one night and upon arriving in the morning struck a match to light it.
There was a terrific explosion, and the shoemaker was blown out through the door almost to the middle of the street.
A passer-by rushed to his assistance, and, after helping him to rise, inquired if he was injured.
The little German gazed at his place of business, which was now burning quite briskly, and said:
"No, I ain't hurt. But I got out shust in time, eh?"
My own hope is, a sun will pierce
The thickest cloud earth ever stretched;
That, after Last, returns the First,
Tho' a wide compass round be fetched;