The Project Gutenberg EBook of Beauty and the Beast, by Unknown

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Title: Beauty and the Beast

Author: Unknown

Release Date: November 3, 2007 [EBook #23311]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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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 in
the country; where he lived with his three daughters. The two elder ones
were very much discontented at their poverty, and were always grumbling
and making complaints. But the youngest one, who was called Beauty, and
who was as amiable as she was handsome, tried all she could to comfort
her father and make his home happy.

Once, when he was going on a journey to try and mend his affairs, he
called them around him, and asked them what he should bring them when he
returned. The two elder ones wanted each a number of nice presents; but
Beauty, kissing him sweetly, said she would be content with a rose. So
when the merchant was on his way back, he came to an elegant garden, of
which the gate stood open; and thinking of Beauty's rose, he went in,
and plucking a beautiful one, prepared to proceed on his journey.

[Illustration: The Merchant and the Beast.]

As he turned to go, he saw a hideous Beast coming towards him, armed
with a sword! This terrible creature reproached him for stealing his
flowers, of which he was very choice; and threatened to kill him on the
spot! 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 said
gruffly, "well, I will let you off, if you will bring one of your
daughters here in your place. But she must come here _willingly_, and
meanwhile you may stay and rest in my palace until to-morrow." But, as
you may wel