nd thought of his mother; he
reflected with sorrow on his disobedience in climbing the bean-stalk
against her will, and concluded that he must die of hunger.

However, he walked on, hoping to see a house where he might beg
something to eat and drink. Presently a handsome young woman appeared at
a distance. As she approached, Jack could not help admiring how
beautiful she looked; she was dressed in the most elegant manner, and
had a white wand in her hand, on the top of which was a peacock of pure
gold. While Jack was looking with the greatest surprise at this charming
female, with a smile of the most bewitching sweetness, she inquired how
he came there? Jack told how he had climbed up the bean-stalk. She asked
him if he recollected his father? He answered that he did not; and added
that he had inquired of his mother who or where his father was, but that
she avoided answering him, and even seemed afraid of speaking, as if
there was some secret connected with his father's history.

The lady 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 promised to obey her injunctions,
and the fairy thus addressed him:--

"Your father was a rich and benevolent man; he was good to the poor, and
constantly relieving them; he never let a day pass without doing good to
some person. On one particular day in the week he kept open house, and
invited those who were reduced and had lived well. He always sat at the
table with them himself, and did all he could to render his guests
comfortable. The servants were all happy, and greatly attached to their
master and mistress. Such a man was soon known and talked of. A giant
lived a great many miles off, who was altogether as wicked as your
father was good; he was envious, covetous, and cruel, but had the art of
concealing these vices.

"Hearing your father spoken of, he formed the design of becoming
acquainted with him, hoping to ingratiate himself into your father's
favour. He removed quickly into your neighbourhood, caused it to be
reported that he had lost all he possessed by an earthquake, and found
it difficult to escape with his life; his wife was with him. Your father
believed his story, and pitied him; he gave him apartments in his own
house, and caused him and his wife to be treated hospitably, littl