Garcia Camille Rose - Cinderella, or the little glass slipper

Once upon a time... there was a nobleman who took for a second wife the haughtiest and proudest woman ever known. She had two daughters of the same temperament, who resembled her in everything. The nobleman, on his side, had a daughter of unmatchable gentleness, goodness, and beauty. She inherited these qualities from her mother, who had been the best creature in the world.

T he wedding was barely over before the stepmothers ill humor came to the surface. She could not endure the young girl, whose good qualities made her own daughters appear even more detestable than they already were. She put the girl to do all the most menial work in the house. It was she who washed the plates, bowls, and cutlery; swept the stairs; and scrubbed the stepmothers and daughters rooms from floor to ceiling.

She slept on a wretched straw mattress in a garret at the top of the house, while her sisters occupied rooms with inlaid floors, the most fashionable beds, and mirrors in which they could see themselves from head to toe. The poor girl bore everything with patience and did not dare complain to her father, who would only have scolded her, as he was entirely governed by his wife.

When she had done her work, the girl was in the habit of going into the chimney corner and sitting among the cinders. This resulted in her nickname, Cindertail, which was bestowed upon her by her elder stepsister and used by the full household.

The younger stepsister, though, who was not quite so rude as her sister, chose to call the girl Cinderella.

One day it happened that the kings son decided to give a two-evening ball, to which he invited everyone of position in the land.

Nevertheless, even in her shabby clothes, Cinderella was still a thousand times more beautiful than her stepsisters, although they were always dressed magnificently.

The two stepsisters were among those who received an invitation, for they wore the finest clothes and hats, always making a great show wherever they went. The invitation delighted them so greatly that they did nothing but busy themselves in choosing the most becoming gowns and headdresses. For poor Cinderella, the ball presented a new mortification: she would have to spend hours scrubbing and ironing her sisters fine linen and goffering their ruffles.

Neither stepsister talked of anything but the style in which she was to be dressed.

I, said the eldest, will wear my red velvet dress and my English point-lace trimmings.

I, said the youngest, shall only wear my usual petticoat; but, to make up for that, I shall put on my gold-flowered cloak and my clasp of diamonds, which are none of the least valuable.

They sent for a first-rate milliner so that their headdresses might be made to fashion, and they had elaborately embroidered gloves made to order from the best maker. They called on Cinderella to give them her opinion on every matter of their appearance, for her taste was excellent. She not only gave them the best advice, but even offered to dress their hair for them.

On the day of the first ball, as Cinderella was tending to the stepsisters tresses, the elder sister asked, Cinderella, should you be very glad to go to the festivities?

Alas! You only make fun of me; such a thing would not be suitable for me at all.

You are right, she sneered, they would indeed laugh to see a Cindertail at the ball!

Of course, any other poor soul would have dressed her cruel sisters hair awry, but Cinderella had a good disposition and arranged it perfectly for both of them. The sisters had eaten nothing for nearly two days, so transported were they with joy, yet more than a dozen laces were broken in making their waists as small as possible. The pair continually gaped and posed before their looking-glasses all day long.

At last, evening arrived. The sisters set off for the palace, and Cinderella watched the coach that transported them away for as long as she could. When the coach was finally out of sight, she began to cry.

Whatever is the matter, my child?

Cinderella turned around to see a magnificently dressed lady with a sweet face.

I am your fairy godmother, she said. What makes you weep so?

I should so likeI should so like Cinderella sobbed so violently that she could not finish her sentence.

You would so like to go to the ball, is not that it?

Alas! Yes, said Cinderella, sighing.

Well, if you will be a good girl, I will undertake that you shall. Go into the garden and bring me a pumpkin.

Cinderellawondering how a pumpkin could enable her to go to the ballwent outside at once, gathered the finest one she could find, and brought it to her fairy godmother. Her fairy godmother took the pumpkin and scooped out all the flesh and pulp. Having left nothing but the rind, she struck it with her wand, immediately changing it into a beautiful coach, gilt all over .

Squeak

She then went and looked into the mousetrap, where she found six mice, all alive. She told Cinderella to lift the door of the mousetrap a little, and to each mouse, as it ran out, she gave a tap with her wand. Each creature was immediately transformed into a fine horse, and with the last there stood ready a handsome train of six horses with beautiful dappled mouse-gray coats.

Squeak

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d abra

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