Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-18
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1897.
M,sErTO AND HIS MARE.-A TALE.

~
Cd nv those who have not studied the history
of snoerstition, what extravagant Fables may be
imposed on the faith OF the vulgar people; es-
neciaIIv when such fables are rehearsed in print,
which Of itself has passed before now as the
work of a black or magical art, and has still in
hucnce enough over ignorant minds to make
them believe, like Masetto, that abook OF ro-
mances is gospel. This Masetto, like most
other rustics, was 4 very Credulous man; but
more simple otherwise than country folks COM
monty appear, who have a great deal OF crafty
instinct of their own, which comes to them
spontaneously, as to the ravens and magpies.
And whereas pastoral people are generally
churlsh and headstrong, anG, IN spite OF the
antique poets, of coarse and brutal tempers,
Masetto, on the contrary, was very gentle and
mild, and so compassionate withal, that he
would weep over wounded creature like We
nv woman This easy disposition made him
liable to be tricked by any subtle knave that
might think it worth his pains; and amongst
such rogueS there was none that duped him
more notably than one Bruno Corvette, horse
courser, and as dishonest as the most capital OF
his trade This fellow observing that Masetto
had very good mare, which he kept to convey
his wares to Florence, resolved to obtain her at
the cheapest rate, which was by stratagem; and
knowing well the simple and credulous charac
ter of the farmer, he soon devised plan. Now
Masetto was very tender to all dumb animals,
and especially to his mare, who was not insen-
si5le to his kindly usage, but pricked up her
.ars at the sound of his voice, and followed him
here aud there, with the sagacity and affection
;hiul dog, together with many other
.t.t- ems of an intelligence that rarely be-
logged 10 her race. The crafty Corvette, there
i1e.. cor ei,2i great hopes of his scheme; ac-
c9-ula-ig having planted himself in the road
by wbi.a Tasctlo ased to return home, he ma
na.ea &. 'al, Iato discourse with him about the
mare, wei,n ne regarded very earnestly; and
this b., repeated for several days AT last, Ma
selto observing that ne seemed very much al
fecied when he talked OF her, became very Gu
rious about the cause, and inquired if it had E.
yer been MS good fortune to have such another
good mare as ais own; 10 this Corvette made
no reply, but throwing his arms about the
mare 5 neck, began to hug her SO lovingly,
and with 50 many deep-drawn signs, that Ma
setto began to stare amazingly, and to cross
himself as fast as he could The hypocritical
Corvette then turning away from the animal
Alas said ne, this beloved creature that you
see before you is ~ mare, but an unhappy wo
man, disguised in this horrible brutal shape by
an acCursed magician. Heaven only knows in
what manner my beloved wife provoked his in
fernal malice, but doubtless it was by her uu-
conQuerable virtue, which was rivalled only by
the loyehness her person. Ihave been seek
inc her in this shape all over the wearisome
earth, and now have discovered her have not
wherewIthal to redeem her of YOU, my money
being all expended in the charges OF travelling,
otherwise | would take her instantly to the
f.,,,ouc u-izard Micbaal Scott bo &c %
present solourning at Florence, and by help of
some of his magical books, might discover
some charm to restore her to her natural shape
Then clasping the docile mare about the neck
again, he affected weep over her very bitterly.
The simple Masetto was very much disturbed
al this story, but knew not whether to believe
it, till at last he bethought himself of the vii
lage priest, and proposed to consult him upon
the case; and whether the lady, if there was
one, might not be exercised out of the body of
his mare. The knayish Corvette, knowing we'll
that this would ruin his whole plot, was pre-
pared to dissuade him. 'fou know said he,
Tthe vile curiosity OF our country people, who
would not fail at such rumor to poster us out
OF our senses; and, especially, they would tor
ment my unhappy wife, upon whom they would
omit no experiment, however cruel, for their
satisfaction. Besid1, 1t would certainly kill
her with grief, to have her disgrace so publish
ed to the world, which she cannot but feel very
bite ~; for il must be shocking thing for a
yourg lady, who has been accustomed to the
lof,iest praises Of her womanly beauty, to know
herSt Ii thus horribly degraded in the foul body
of brute. Mas! who could think that her
beautiful locks, which used to shine like golden
wires, are now turned by daunable magic into
this coarse sloyenly mane,-or her delicate
white hands--oh how pure and hly-like they
were.--into these hard and icon-shod hoofs!'-
The tender hearted Mase To beginning to look
very doieful at these eNciamauons, the kna,e
saw that his performance began 10 take effect
and SO begged no more for the present, than
that Masetto would treat his mare very kindly
and rub her teeth daily with sprig of magi
cal hornbeam, which the simplewiltcd rustic
promised very readily to perform. he had
however some ouzzing doubts in his head upon
the matter, which Corvette found means to re-
move by degrees, taking care above all to car
ess the unconscious mare Whenever they met
aud sometimes going half privately TO con
verse with her in the stable. At last, Masetto
being very much distressed BY these proceed
inss he addressed Corvette as ioilows;-'I am