Long ago there lived a rich merchant who , besides possessing more treasures than any king in the world , had in his great hall three chairs , one of silver , one of gold , and one of diamonds . But his greatest treasure of all was his only daughter , who was called Catherine . One day Catherine was sitting in her own room when suddenly the door flew open , and in came a tall and beautiful woman holding in her hands a little wheel . ` Catherine , ' she said , going up to the girl , ` which would you rather have-a happy youth or a happy old age ? ' Catherine was so taken by surprise that she did not know what to answer , and the lady repeated again , ` Which would you rather have-a happy youth or a happy old age ? ' Then Catherine thought to herself , ` If I say a happy youth , then I shall have to suffer all the rest of my life . No , I would bear trouble now , and have something better to look forward to . ' So she looked up and replied , ` Give me a happy old age . ' ` So be it , ' said the lady , and turned her wheel as she spoke , vanishing the next moment as suddenly as she had come . Now this beautiful lady was the Destiny of poor Catherine . Only a few days after this the merchant heard the news that all his finest ships , laden with the richest merchandise , had been sunk in a storm , and he was left a beggar . The shock was too much for him . He took to his bed , and in a short time he was dead of his disappointment . So poor Catherine was left alone in the world without a penny or a creature to help her . But she was a brave girl and full of spirit , and soon made up her mind that the best thing she could do was to go to the nearest town and become a servant . She lost no time in getting herself ready , and did not take long over her journey ; and as she was passing down the chief street of the town a noble lady saw her out of the window , and , struck by her sad face , said to her : ` Where are you going all alone , my pretty girl ? ' ` Ah , my lady , I am very poor , and must go to service to earn my bread . ' ' I will take you into my service , ' said she ; and Catherine served her well . Some time after her mistress said to Catherine , ' I am obliged to go out for a long while , and must lock the house door , so that no thieves shall get in . ' So she went away , and Catherine took her work and sat down at the window .
Suddenly the door burst open , and XXXXX came her Destiny .
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