There was once a very rich merchant who had, six children three boys, and three girls. As he was himself a man of great. Sense he spared, no expense for their education. The three daughters were all handsome but particularly, the youngest; indeed,, She was so, very beautiful that in her childhood every one called her the Little Beauty; and being equally lovely when she. Was grown up nobody called, her by any other name which made, her sisters very jealous of her. This youngest daughter was. Not only more handsome than, her sisters but also was better tempered. The two eldest were vain of their wealth and, position. They gave themselves a thousand airs and refused, to visit other merchants" daughters; nor would they condescend to be seen. Except with persons of quality. They went every day to balls plays and public walks,,, always and made game of their youngest. Sister for spending her time in reading or other useful employments. As it was well known that these young ladies would. Have large fortunes many great, merchants wished to get them for wives; but the two eldest always answered that for their,,, Parts they had, no thoughts of marrying any one below a duke or an earl at least. Beauty had quite as many offers as her. Sisters but she, always answered with the, greatest civility that though, she was much obliged to her lovers she would,, Rather live some years longer with her father as she, thought herself too young to marry.It happened that by some, unlucky accident the merchant, suddenly lost all his fortune and had, nothing left but a small. Cottage in the country. Upon this he said to his daughters while the, tears ran down his cheeks, "My children we must, now. Go and dwell in the cottage and try, to get a living, by labour for we have no other means of support. "The two eldest replied. That they did not know how to work and would, not leave town; for they had lovers enough who would be glad to, marry them. Though they had no longer any fortune. But in this they were mistaken; for when the lovers heard what, had happened they. Said, "The girls were so proud, and ill-tempered that all we wanted was their fortune: we are not sorry at all to see their. Pride brought down: let them show off their airs to their cows and sheep. "But everybody pitied poor Beauty because she,, Was so sweet-tempered and kind to all and several, gentlemen offered to, marry her though she had not a penny; but Beauty. Still refused and said, she could not think of leaving her poor father in this trouble. At first Beauty could not help sometimes. Crying in secret for the hardships she was now obliged to suffer; but in a very short time she said to herself, "All the. Crying in the world will do me no good so I, will try to be happy without a fortune. "When they had removed to, their cottage the merchant and his three sons employed themselves in ploughing and sowing the. Fields and working, in the garden. Beauty also did her part for she, rose by four o "clock every morning lighted the fires,,, Cleaned, the house and got ready the breakfast for the whole family. At first she found all this very hard; but she soon. Grew quite used to it and thought, it no hardship; indeed the work, greatly benefited her health. When she, had done she. Used to amuse herself, with reading playing her music or singing, while she spun. But her two sisters were at a loss what. To do to pass the time away: they had their breakfast, in bed and did not rise till ten o "clock. Then they commonly walked. Out but always, found themselves very soon tired; when they would often sit down under a, shady tree and grieve for the. Loss of their carriage and fine clothes and say, to each other, "What a mean-spirited poor stupid creature our young sister. Is to be, so content with this low way of life! "But their father thought differently: and loved and admired his youngest. Child more than ever.After they had lived in this manner about a year the merchant, received a letter which informed, him that one of his richest. Ships which he, thought, was lost had just come into port. This news made the two eldest sisters almost mad with joy; for. They thought they should now leave, the cottage and have all their finery again. When they found that their father must. Take a journey to, the ship the two eldest begged he would not fail to bring them back some new gowns caps rings and,,,, All sorts of trinkets. But Beauty asked for nothing; for she thought in herself that all the ship was worth would hardly. Buy everything her sisters wished for. "Beauty," said the merchant, "how comes it that you ask for nothing: what can I bring. You my, child? ""Since you are so kind as to think, of me dear father," she answered, "I should be glad if you would bring me, a rose for. We have none in our garden. "Now Beauty did not indeed wish for a rose nor anything, else but she, only said this that she. Might not affront her sisters; otherwise they would have said she wanted her father to pr.
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