The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-12-14
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THE PERSIAN PEASANT.
Translated from the Italian.l


A certain Persian peasant CHANGED
one morning 10 be carrying fine kid
to market, riding upon his ass with the
dainty animal following him. The bet
ter to secure his charge, he bad tied a
little bell to its neck. He had Journey
ed about the distance of two miles.
when he had the ill luck to fall in with
three robbers, famous in those parts for
the audacity and cunning Of their thefls.
{" Lo - said one of them to his compan-
ions, as he beheld the counlryman ap-
preaching, 6 here comes fine fish for
our net; think he is worth hooking. |
will bet you what you please, can run
away with the pretty kid, without the
stupid wretch perceiying IT'D And
l." said the other, /" that will take the
beast he rides upon with his own per
rtsiseion, and he shan moreover thaaE
me tor il.'' 6 Pshaw - cried the third,
"why boast of this it is mere child's
play, unworthy Of our skill and of the
reputation we enjoy. For my part, as
you have left me nothing else, will
strip him of the very clothes he has on
his back, and he shall salute me by the
lender names of benefactor and friend y
S To the trial them" cried all three at
once" Let the first boaster,'' said the
last, proceed to work frst.n So forth
he stepped, following the poor rustic
quietly at a distance. Soon. unIoosing
the bell from the kids neck with infinite
dexterity, he tied it to the ass's tail, ard
away he went With the kid in contrary
direction. The poor man still hearing
the tinkling of the bell, concluded all
was safe behind him, and merrily jog
ged along his way.-At length, howey-
er, he happened to turn round, and
hearing the bell, but not seeing the
goat, he was greatly puzzled what TO
think, or which way TO look, running
hastily in different directions and in
quiring of every one he met, whether
they had seen his kid, and the thief who
had stofenit The second robber, upon
this, coming forward, said 6 1t is true,
| saw man running away in that dilec-
lion just now he had a goat, aud will
be sworn it was yours" SO away went
the countryman, leaving his ass 10 the
thief's care, and thanking him at the
same time for his kindness. After run
ming himself out of breath, he found his
search was all in vain making few
more unavailing efforts in various direc-
tons, he was fain TO return, as he fondly
dreamed, to his ass, which he had left in
the kind strangers protection. "Alas,"
he cried, "where is my friend where
is my donkey ? surely, surely the thief
has not stolen them % Perceiving at
length the full extent of his misfortune,
he began to blaspheme bitterly, cursing
the day he was born, and Mahomet, and
all the prophets 6 But the next rascal
who imposes upon me-" he cried, "must
be made fyery different stuff
Whilst he was in this way defving all
the powers of mischiefto league against
him in future. and committing thou
sand extravagancies, he happened 10
hear deep groan uttered not far from
him and going a little farther, he
fouad man weeping bitterly. The
rustic said "what is the matter with you
that you make such Iamentable noise ?
Do you think you are as unfortunate
as | am, who have lost two beautiful
beasts, a goat and an ass, at single
throw; ! was going with my kid TO mar
ket, when 10 two detestable monsters
in the shape ofthieves, have robbed me
of all | had in the world, the foundation
Of my future fortunes" But the third
robber only replied, "get thee gone,
fool, and do not pretend TO compare
miseries with me Why,I have dropl
la case Of the most precious jewels, d.