Page:History of Jack and the bean stalk.pdf/6

 connected with his father’s history which she must not disclose. The young woman replied, “I will reveal the whole story : your mother must not. But, before I begin, I require a solemn promise on your part to do what I command; I am a fairy, and if you do not perform exactly what I desire, you will be destroyed.” Jack was frightened at her menaces, but promised to fulfil her injunctions exactly, and the fairy thus addressed him:— “Your father was a rich man, his disposition remarkably benevolent: he was very good to the poor, and constantly relieving them: he made it a rule never to let a day pass without doing good to some person. On one particular day in the week he kept open house, and invited only those who were reduced and had lived well. He always presided himself, and did all in his power to render his guests comfortable; the rich and the great were next invited. The servants were all happy, and greatly attached to their master and mistress. Your father, though only private gentleman, was as rich as a prince, and he deserved all he possessed, for he only to do good. Such a man was soon known and talked of. A giant lived a great many miles off; this man was altogether as wicked your father