Beauty and the Beast. New York: McLoughlin Bro's, 1891.

Tale Summary

The tale begins with a wealthy family consisting of a father and his three daughters. The eldest two daughters were vain and haughty while Beauty was sweet and selfless. After many years, bad fortune struck the family and they lost all their wealth. While her sisters complained about the change of lifestyle, Beauty remained strong and positive. Eventually, the father travelled to the city where he heard one of his ships had returned. While the sisters asked for jewels and riches, Beauty asked her father to bring her back a rose. After a disappointing trip, the father ran into the Beast on his way home. The Beast allowed him to go free if he would bring back one of his daughters in replacement. Beauty volunteered and went to stay in the castle where she was impressed by the kindness she was treated with. After seeing her family through a mirror, Beauty was allowed home to visit her sickly father. There, she dreamt of the Beast dying from heartache in his garden. She immediately returned to the Beast’s castle and found him in the same state as in her dream. While the Beast was on the brink of death, Beauty realized her love for him and promised to be his wife. With this, the Beast transformed into a handsome young prince. He revealed to Beauty that he had been put under a spell, and that the good fairy had taken care of them in the castle. Beauty and the Beast were married, and her family came to live with them. She continued to be selfless and live her life doing good deeds for others.