The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-07-01
THE GRATEFUL MAN,
OR THE DEAN OF BADAJos.

was more learned than all the doctors of
Salamanca, Coimbra and Alcala. lie I'M
derstood all the dead and living languages
protested all sciences, human and divine; but,
unfortunately, knew nothing of magic, and
was inconsolable. He was told that Il very
skillful magician lived in suburb of Tole-
do, named Don Torribio. Instantly order
ing good mule to be saddled, he set out
for Toledo, and stopped at the door of a
rather shabby house where this great man
lodged. "Senior Magician, said he, 81 am
the dean of Badajos. The learned men of
Spain do me the honor to call me their mas
ter, but | come to ask for a more glorious
title, that of being your pupil. Deign to
initiate me into the mysteries of your art,
and count upon gratitude worthy of such
a benefit"
| Don Torribio was uncommonly polite, al
though he piqued himself on keeping the
best company of the lower regions. He
told the dean that he might look elsewhere
for master in magic, that, for his part, he
was tired of trade by which he gained
nothing but compliments and promises, and
I he would no longer dishonor the occult
sciences by teaching them to ingrates
"To ingrates," cried the dean. ''How |!
Don Torribio, have you met with ingrati-
| tude ?-and will you have the injustice to
contound me with such monsters ?" He
then uttered shower of apothegms and
| maXlms upon gratitude: he repeated in
the gentlest voice, and with an air of great
truth, all the honest sentiments his memory
could supply him with; and in word spoke
so much to the purpose, that the magician,
after moments reflection, avowed that he
could refuse nothing to such gallant gen
tleman, who knew so many fine savings.
Jacintha," said he to his housekeeper.
put two partridges on the spit, the dean of
BadaJos will do me the honor to sup here
to night" At the same moment he took
the dean by the hand and led him into his
cabinet. He then touched his forehead.
muttering the three following words, which
we beg the reader not to forget, Ortobolan.
Pistn .fiier, Onag1len; and then, without
preparation, he set about explaining with
much precision the prologomena of conu-
ration.
The new pupil was listening with an
eagerness that scarcely allowed him to
breathe, when Jacntha suddenly entered,
middle and h spa5 sts Wan wan booted up to the
ders, who demanded to speak with the
| dean on very important matters: he was
the position of the deans uncle, the Bishop
of Badajos, who had been dispatched after
him, without being able to overtake him be-
| fore he reached Toledo. He informed him,
that a few hours after his departure the
| Bishop had been attacked with an apoplexy,
which was so violent as to threaten most fa-
tai consequences. The dean, wishing in
his heart, the disease, the patient, and the
messenger, at the old Nick, fol so badly
choosing their time, rid himself of the
| position by ordering him to hurry back to
/ Badajos, whittier he would speedily follow
| him after which he betook himself to his
studies, as if there were no such things in
| the world as uncles or apoplexies.
I In few days after, news was received
from Badajos worth listening to. The
grand chanter, and two canons came to
notify the dean that his very reverend uncle,
the Bishop, was gone to receive the reward
of his virtues that tire chapter economically
assembled, had elected him to fill the vacant
/ place and besought him to console, by his
presence, the church of Badajos, his new
spouse. Don Torribio who heard the ha-
rangue of the deputies, like skilfu man,
took time by the forelock. He spoke espe-
! cially to the new bishop, and after com
pliment adapted to the occasion, informed
him that be had son, called Don Benjamin,
a youth of good understanding and inclina-
tons, but having no taste tor the occult
sciences; that having attempted to make a
good priest of him, he had, thank heaven,
succeeded, and had the consolation to hear
his son quoted as one of the best clergyman
in Toledo. In short, he very humbly be-
sought his grandeur to give to Don Benja-
min the Deanship, which he could not retain
J .s A lac fha
late, with slightly embarrassed air, " |
wish always to do what is agreeable to
you; nevertheless have relative to whom
| am herr, an old eccleslastic fit for nothing
else, and if do not give him this place,
shall at once be embroiled with my whole
family, which love even to folly" But"
added he, in the most affectlonate tone,
do you no; count upon coming to Badaos !?
can you have the cruelty to abandon me,
precisely when begin to be able to serve
( you? Come my dear master, let US set of
/ together, and do not think Of any thing but
the instruction of your disciples make
yourself easy concerning Don Benjamin (;
| will attend to that, and sooner or later
will do more than his father would ask, for
him; poor deanery at the extremity of
Estremadura, issno beneticence for the son
| of such a man as you"
Whatever canonlsts may say of simony,
this bargain was concluded, and Don Tor
ribio followed his llustrious pupil to Bada-
JOS, where he found fine apartment in the
Episcopal palace, and saw himself respect
i ed by the whole diocese as the favorIte OF
his reverence, and sort of grand vicar.
Under the guidance of so skillul a mas
ter, the bishop of BadaiOs made great pro-
II L
! first he devoted himself with excessive ar
dor. However, he soon became more mod
crate and devoted himself afterwards so
warmly TO his ecclesiastical duties, that all