Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-10-20

,imeihad arrived, in which it was mos
suitable to provide an heir for his cas-
tie and his gold; and fearful, if he
delayed much longer, SO beautiful a
family might be lostto the world, h
cast around mis- eye, upon the neigh
boring damseis, 10 seiecta lady wor
thy OF SO distinguished lot.
Francesca, the eldest daughter OFT
noble, but impoverished knight, hav
ing the fortune TO please him, was, il
spite oil her circumstances, if indeet
tie thought ever occurred Of consulting
her, happily installed mistress of the
castle. 1t was said that her father
10 addition to relieving himself fron
the charge of her maintenance, slip
ulated with Messer Giovanni, though
terribly against his will, that, as his
FIVE olher.d daughters successfully grew
up, Messer Giovanni should receive
as companions to his wife, until they
in like manner, could be advantage
ously disposed of There was, as
may be imagined, great rejoicing al
this happy event. The gates of the
castle were thrown open to all com.
ers, and tables were spread in hand
some order, to receive the provision
of those who had foresight e.
nough to bring them from their houses.
There was, however, no lack of dan.
cling, as two vagrant MINISTRIES perior.
med for their lodgings.
The poor bride soon found that she
had but little share in the Joy of the
occasion; for hardly was the wedding
celebrated, before the hump backed
husband became so intolerably jealous
that he would hardly let her for mo
ment quit his sight. The castle was
carefully examined, to see that no atm
.orous youth had thrust himself in to
interrupt tia matrimonial felicity OF
Messer Giovanni In this ! can hard
ly blame him; for francesca was
young and beautiful, hated her spouse
10 two days as cordially as if she bad
been married to him twenty years,
and had heart naturally too tender to
kill by her lrowns well-made and
gallant suROr.
After she bad lived in this manner
for moEth, she formed such q reso.
luton as most other ladies in her sit
uation would do, TO take the first IA
vorable opportunity to bid adieu to
the Castle Of Beauty, as it had been
named by the neighbours. One day
as she was orooding over the unplea
santness oeher abode, and Is she was
Strengthening herself in her deterpi-
nation to leave the castle without be.
stewing on it an heir, her meditations
were interrupted by her husbands Civ
ing her the not unpleasing intelligence
that that morning business would OBJ.
iiga him to spend out Of her society,
and, as he spoke, he left the apart
ment. Rejoiced at her release, and
at the prospect of not being tormented
for the day by the presence of the g
dious Messer Giovanni, she ran in
great glee to a window ofthe castle
which looked toward the road. She
gradually watched the hump Of her
husband receding, till it departed from
her view; but imagine her transport,
when she perceived advancing to
wards the castle, three minstrcis,
bearing their harpo in their hands.
She shouted for JOY, and ran out Of the
castle to welcome and invite them in.
They entered, singing the praises of
hospitality, and promising many lay,
in requita! for generous treatment.
AS they passed before her, she almost
shrieked-they were all hump backed.
She rubbed her eyes, thinking there
must be some delusion, or that the
daily contemplation OF her husbands
want of symmetry had destroyed her
perception of it altogether-but in
vain, they were still hump backed.
Francesca, however, soon forgot their
deformity, in listening to their enchant.
ing lays oftournaments and love courts,
in Witnessing their tricks Of hand,
or graceful gestures, as they recited
animated dialogues, and already med,
itated the robbery OF her husband IS
boards, generously to reconpence
them, when, accidentally lifting her
eyes to the window, she saw the OBJ.
jcct OF her fears rapidly approaching
What can she Where shall she
conceal the wandering bards? He is
quickly coming-somcthing must be
done, and all her womanly ingenuity
is put in requlsition TO assist her
Luckily, in an adjoining apartment
stood three large jars, usually filled