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CINDERELLA OR, THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER AND OTHER STORIES
Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper Fanny's Telephone Order The Raindrops' New Dresses Sir Gobble What is It? John's Bright Idea A Sad Thanksgiving Party Guy and the Bee Mean Boy Naughty Pumpkin's Fate Something About Fires The lee-King's Reign. Malmo, the Wounded Rat Mama's Happy Christmas Cured of Carelessness A Visit from a Prince Stringing Cranberries Christmas in California A Troublesome Call Bertie's Corn-Popper Fire! Fire! Fire! The Dolls and the Other Dolls Why Did Mamma Change Her Mind? Clara's Funeral. The Chickadee-Dee. The Children's Party Brave Tomasso Tommy Frost Sees a Bear Myself Two Strange Sights A Cat's Instincts Diliah's New Year's Presents Night Flowers The First Snow Storm Fred's Stolen Ride A Valentine Party The Venturesome Rat The Bear's Feast Babie's Curls. The Red Apples Bubbles A Horse Who Wore Snow Shoes The Angry Bobolink How Hiram Spent His Shrimp Money The Ant's House The Foolish Pug The Silhouette Party The Snow Birds A Kind Heart Towser Talks Just as She Pleased
CINDERELLA; OR THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER.
Once there was a gentleman who married for his second wife the proudest and most haughty woman that was ever seen. She had by a former husband two daughters of her own humor, who were, indeed, exactly like her in all things. He had likewise, by another wife, a young daughter, but of unparalleled goodness and sweetness of temper, which she took from her mother, who was the best creature in the world.
No sooner were the ceremonies of the wedding over but the mother-in-law began to show herself in her true colors. She could not bear the good qualities of this pretty girl, and the less because they made her own daughters appear the more odious. She employed her in meanest work of the house: she scoured the dishes, tables, etc., and scrubbed madam's chamber and those of misses, her daughters; she lay up in a sorry garret, upon a wretched straw bed, while her sisters lay in fine rooms, with floors all inlaid, upon beds of the very newest fashion, and where they had looking-glasses so large that they might see themselves at their full length from head to foot.
The poor girl bore all patiently and dared not tell her father, who would have rattled her off; for his wife governed him entirely. When she had done her work she used to go into the chimney-corner and sit down among cinders and ashes, which made her commonly be called a cinder maid; but the youngest, who was not so rude and uncivil as the eldest, called her Cinderella. However, Cinderella, notwithstanding her mean apparel, was a hundred times handsomer than her sisters, though they were always dressed very richly.
It happened that the King's son gave a ball and invited all persons, of fashion to it. Our young misses were also invited, for they cut a very grand figure among the quality. They were mightily delighted at this invitation, and wonderfully busy in choosing out such gowns, petticoats, and head-clothes as might become them. This was a new trouble to Cinderella, for it was she who ironed her sisters' linen and plaited their ruffles. They talked all day long of nothing but how they should be dressed.
"For my part," said the eldest, "I will wear my red velvet suit with French trimming."
"And I," said the youngest, "shall have my usual petticoat; but then, to make amends for that, I will put on my gold-flowered manteau and my diamond stomacher, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world."
They sent for the best tire-woman they could get to make up their headdresses and adjust their double pinners, and they had their red brushes and patches from Mademoiselle de la Poche.
Cinderella was likewise called up to them to be consulted in all these matters, for she had excellent notions and advised them always for the best, nay, and offered her services to dress their heads, which they were very willing she should do. As she was doing this they said to her:
