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Beauty and the Beast.
Peter G. Thomson
Cincinnati, O.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
There was once a merchant who had been very rich at one time, but who,having had heavy losses, was compelled to retire to a little cottage inthe country; where he lived with his three daughters. The two elder oneswere very much discontented at their poverty, and were always grumblingand making complaints. But the youngest one, who was called Beauty, andwho was as amiable as she was handsome, tried all she could to comforther father and make his home happy.
Once, when he was going on a journey to try and mend his affairs, hecalled them around him, and asked them what he should bring them when hereturned. The two elder ones wanted each a number of nice presents; butBeauty, kissing him sweetly, said she would be content with a rose. Sowhen the merchant was on his way back, he came to an elegant garden, ofwhich the gate stood open; and thinking of Beauty's rose, he went in,and plucking a beautiful one, prepared to proceed on his journey.
The Merchant and the Beast.As he turned to go, he saw a hideous Beast coming towards him, armedwith a sword! This terrible creature reproached him for stealing hisflowers, of which he was very choice; and threatened to kill him on thespot! The merchant begged for his life, and said, that he had only taken“a single one to please his daughter Beauty.” On this, the beast saidgruffly, “well, I will let you off, if you will bring one of yourdaughters here in your place. But she must come here willingly, andmeanwhile you may stay and rest in my palace until to-morrow.” But, asyou may well believe, the poor father did not feel much like eating orsleeping; although everything was done for his comfort, and, in themorning, the Beast sent him home upon a beautiful horse. But though thebirds sang around him, and the sun shone brightly, and all nature wassmiling on his path, the heart of the poor merchant was heavy, when hethought of his beloved daughters.
When he came near his home, his children came forth to meet him; but,seeing the sadness of his face, and his eyes filled with tears, theyasked him the cause of his trouble. Giving the rose to Beauty, he toldher all. The two elder sisters laid all the blame upon Beauty; who criedbitterly, and said that as she was the cause of her father'smisfortune, she alone must suffer for it, and was quite willi