The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-06-24
a From the Church Journal.
THE UNGRATEFUL MAN.

The following, which is one Of the
best Of The old monkish stories, may be
traced 10 the Arabian fable book called
Cdllahsu- Dnmnah. Matthew Paris re-
cites il as fable commonly used by
King Richard, The Crusader, TO reprove
his ungraieful mobiles; and old Cover
las yersi6ed il in his Confessto AmantiS.
Il appeared in Blackwood some years
ago; but the translator seems not TO have
been aware Fits existence in the Gcsto
Ronldn0rup, contentio translate II from
the Latin version OF Massenius, Ger
man Jesuit, who lived al Cologue in
1857. 1t well illustrates tho popular
method by which The writer's Of these
tales inculca,ed Christian duties on their
brethren Of the Convent, or on their
hoarers in The Church, io 1ea
Vitalis, a noble Venetian, one day, at
Ohuhling party, felin pit, which bad
been dug to catch wild animals. He
passed a whole night and day there, and
will leave you to imagine bis dread and
his agony. The pit was dark, Vhals
ran from one side Of il TO the other, in
the hope Of finding some brench or root
by which he might. climb is aides and
get out Of his dungeon; but he heard
such confused and extraordinary noises,
growlings, hissings and plainnve cries,
that he became halt dead with terror, aud
cronched in corner mo,ionless, awaiting
death with the most horrid dismay. On
the morning Of the second day, he heard
some one passing near the pii;aud then,
raising his voice, he cried out, with the
most dolorous accent, "Help, help! draw
me out Of this, am perishingm a
"A peasant crossing the forest heard his
cry AT first he was frightened; but,
after a moment or two, taking courage,
he approacied the pit, and asked who
had called?l a.l ao5 ,Bm8t}, ,sl'' Is uaa
"a oorbunisman," answered Vialis,
"who has passed long night and day
hero. Help me ont, for the love OF God
Help me out, and | will recompenso you
handsomely.'' ''r7 10 aaa s .asa
II will do what can,'' teplied the
peasant lseI
Then Massoccio (such was the name
Of the peasanD took a hedgebll which
hung al his grdle, and cutting branch
Of tree strong enough to bear man,
'.Lislen, hunlsman," said he, "to what
Lam going 10 say TO you. will lei
down this branch into the pit. ] will
fnsten il against the sides and hold i'll
with my hands; and, by pulling yourself
out by it, you may ge, free from your
prison." af8
"Good,' answered vituls; "ask me
anything you will, and i, shall be
gtanted"1 7sa'e
II ask fofnothing,' said the peasant;
shut ! am going to be married, and you
maygive what you like to my bride.'
SO saying, Massaccio lei down the
bfanch---he soon felt it heavy, and the
moment after q monkey leap, merily
out ofthe pit. He had fallen, like Vita
lis, and had seized quickly on the branch
of Massaccio. "lt was The devil surely
which spoke TO me from tho pitt" said
Massaccio, running away in the alright.
"Do you abandon me, tben9" cried
Vitalis, in lamen,able accent; ''my
friend, my dear friend, for tho love OF the
Lord, for the lore Of your mistress, draw
inc out Of this; beg, | implore you;
will give her wedding gifts, will enrich
you. am the Lord Yllalis, rich Vc>
uetian; do NOT LET me die OF hunger 10
this horrible pit"
Massaccio was touched by these
prayers. He returned TO the pii--lei
down another branch, and lion jumped
out, making the woods echo with roar
Of delight.
"Oh, certainly, certainly, i, was the
devil / heard,"' said Massaccio, and fled
away again; but, stopping short, after
few PAGES, he heard again the piercing
cries Of Viials. iil8
ai 30 God, o God," cried he; Hto die Of
hunger in a pit Will no one, then,
come TO my help? Whoever you may
be, | implore you to return; let me not
die when you can save me. will give
you house and field, and cows and gold,
MI that you can ask for; save me, save
me only!"
Massaccio, thus implored, could not
help returning. He lei down the branch,
and . serpent, kissing joyously, sprang
out Of the pit. Massaccio fell on his
knees, half dead with fear, and repeated
all the prayers he could think Of 10 drive
away the demon. He was only brought
10 himself by hearing the cries Of des-
pair which Vitals uttered.
"Will no one help me?'' said he. CAB,
then, must ! die2 o God, o God!n and
be wept and sobbed in a lleart.breaking
manner. g
Fu"It is certsinly tie voice Of man, for
all that,n said Massaccio. s'iaaf.it
>TaOb,aif you are sdllihere,' said Vita
lis, sin the name of all that is dear 10
you, saveame, ,ha, may die at least al
home, and not in this horrible pit. lean
say mo more; my voice is exhausied.-l
Shall | give you my palace at Venice, my
4 ~ ttt IL !