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THE HISTORY

OF

CINDERELLA;

OR THE

LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER.

——


There was once a very rich gentleman who lost his wifo; and having loved her exceedingly, he was very sorry when she died. Finding himself quite unhappy for her loss, he resolved to marry a second time, thinking by this means he should be as happy as before. Unfortunately, however, the lady ho chanced to fix upon was the proudest and most haughty woman ever known; she was always out of humour with every ono; nobody could please her, and she returned the civilities of those about her with the most affronting disdain. She had two daughters by a former husband, whom she brought up to be proud and idle: indeed, in temper and behaviour they perfectly resembled their mother; they did not love their books, and would not learn to work; in short, they were disliked by every body.

The gentleman on his side, too, had a daughter, who, in sweetness of temper and carriage, was the exact likeness of her own mother, whose death he had so much lamented, and whose tender care of the little girl he was in hopes to see replaced by that of his new bride.

But scarcely was the marriage ceremony over, beforo his wife began to show her real temper; she could not bear the pretty little girl, because her sweet obliging manners made thoso of her own daughters appear a thousand times the more odious and disagreeablo.

She therefore ordered her to live in the kitchen; and, if ever she brought any thing into the parlour, always scolded her till she was out of sight. She made her work with the servants, in washing the dishes, and rubbing the tables and chairs: it was her place to clean madam's chamber, and that of the misses her daughters,