The beast.
* * * * *
There was once a very rich merchant, who had six children,
three sons, and three daughters; being a man of sense,
he spared no cost for their education, but gave them
all kinds of masters. His daughters were extremely
handsome, especially the youngest; when she was little,
every body admired her, and called her The little
Beauty; so that, as she grew up, she still
went by the name of Beauty, which made
her sisters very jealous. The youngest, as she
was handsome, was also better than her sisters.
The two eldest had a great deal of pride, because
they were rich. They gave themselves ridiculous
airs, and would not visit other merchants’ daughters,
nor keep company with any but persons of quality.
They went out every day upon parties of pleasure,
balls, plays, concerts, etc. and laughed at their
youngest sister, because she spent the greatest part
of her time in reading good books. As it was
known that they were to have great fortunes, several
eminent merchants made their addresses to them; but
the two eldest said they would never marry, unless
they could meet with a Duke, or an Earl at least.
Beauty very civilly thanked them that courted her,
and told them she was too young yet to marry, but
chose to stay with her father a few years longer.
All at once the merchant lost his whole fortune, excepting
a small country-house at a great distance from town,
and told his children, with tears in his eyes, they
most go there and work for their living. The
two eldest answered, that they would not leave the
town, for they had several lovers, who they were sure
would be glad to have them, though they had no fortune;
but in this they were mistaken, for their lovers slighted
and forsook them in their poverty. As they were
not beloved on account of their pride, every body
said, “they do not deserve to be pitied, we
are glad to see their pride humbled, let them go and
give themselves quality airs in milking the cows and
minding their dairy. But, (added they,) we are
extremely concerned for Beauty, she was such a charming,
sweet-tempered creature, spoke so kindly to poor people,
and was of such an affable, obliging disposition.”
Nay, several gentlemen would have married her, though
they knew she had not a penny; but she told them she
could not think of leaving her poor father in his
misfortunes, but was determined to go along with him
into the country to comfort and attend him.
Poor Beauty at first was sadly grieved at the loss
of her fortune; “but, (she said to herself,)
were I to cry ever so much, that would not make things
better, I must try to make myself happy without a
fortune.” When they came to their country-house,
the merchant and his three sons applied themselves
to husbandry and tillage; and Beauty rose at four
in the morning, and made haste to have the house clean,
