Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-04-28
From the Church Journal,

iOlioNlHgs winch Is one oil the UeSt OIL tnS
Old monklsh stories, may be traced 10 the Arabian
iabie book called CatLdh-u- Dumnd. Matthew Pa
RS recites it as fable commonly used by King
Richard, the Crusader, to reproye his ungrateful
mobiles; and old Cover has yersfeditin his Com
fessio ,Amantis. Itappeared in Blackwood some
years ago; but the translator seems not TO have
been aware of its existence in the Gesta ROnaHo-
rum, content TO translate it fIomthe Latin version
OF MasSenuS, German Jesuit, who lived at Co
lugne in 1851 1t well illustrates the popular me-
thod by which the writers OF these tales inculca-
ted Christian duties on their brethren of the con-
vent or impressed itIon their hearers in the church,
Vitalis. noble Venetian, one day at a hunting
party, fell into pit which had been dug 10 catch
Wild animals. He passed a whole night and day
there, and will leave you to imagine his dread and
his agony. Tie pit dark. yItas ran from
the one side of tito the other in the hope of find
ing some branch or loot by which he might climb
It's sides and get out OF is.lungeon; but he heard
such confused and extraordinary noises, growlings,
hissings and plaintiye cries, that he became half
dead with terror, and croucheL in corner notion
less, awaiting death with the most Eortid diSmay.
On the morning of the second DAY, he heard some
one passing near by the PIT; and then raising his
voice, he cried out, with the most dolorous accent
"Help help! draw me out of this; 1 am per-
ishingr'
peasant crossing the forest heard the cry AL
first he was frghtened; but after moment or two,
taking courage, he approached the pit, and asked
who had called?
"a huntsnan," answered Vitalis, "who has pas
sed a long night and day here. Help me out for
the love of God. Help me out, and will recon-
penSe you handsomely"
81 will do what cam" replied The peasant.
Then MaSSacclo (Such was the name of the pea
SANITY took n Ledgeblll which hung at his glrdle and
cutting branch of atree strong enough 10 bear
man.
"Listen, huntsman," suid he. "to what mn
going TO say to you. l will let down this branch
into the PIT. will fasten it against the sides and
hold ii with my hands; and by pulling yourself up
by It, you may get free from your prison."
"Good,' answered VltalIs; task me any thing
| you Will, and 1t shall be prante1 ~
=! ask nothing" seid the peasant; "but I'm go
ing 10 DC married, and you may give what you like
So saying, Massaccio let down the bIanch-he
soon felt 1t heavy, and the moment after monkey
leaPt mernly out of The pit He had fallen, like
vtsils' and had seized quickly on the branch of
| MaSSaccio."
ait was the devil, surely, which spoke TO me
alright.
"Do you abandon me. then2" cried valis, in a
for The love of the Lord, for the love of your ms
tress, draw me out of this; beg, implore you;
will give her wedding gifts, will enrich you
am Lord Vitalis, itch Venetian; do not let me
die OF hunger in this horrible pitt
MaSsacclo was touched by these prayers. He re-
turned TO the pit-let down another branch, aud
lion jumped out, making the WOODS echo with his
roar of delight.
sob, certainly it was the devil heard" said
Massacco, and fled away again; but. stopping af-
ter lew PAGES, he heard again the piercing cries
OF NltalS.
20 God. God,' cried he; so die of hunger in
pit! Will no one, then, come to my help2-
Whoever you may be, implore you to .eturn; let
ME not die when you can save me. will give
you house and field, and cows and gold, al that
you can AK lori save me, save ME onlyp
MasSaccio, thus mpiored, could not helm relur
nlng He let down the branch, aud serpent,
missing 1oyousy. sprang out of the pit. Massaccio
Tell on his knees, halt dead with lear, aud repeat
ed all the prayers he could think of to drive away
the demon. He was only brought 10 himself by
hearing the cries of despair which Yitas uttered,
Wlil no one help mef' said ne. .tAh, then, |
must die? Goo, o GodP and he wept and sob
bed in notwithstanding manner
'oh, II you are still there said Vials, sin the
name OF all that is dear TO you, save me, that l
may die at least Of home and not in This horrible
pit. can say no more; my voice is exhausted.
snail give you my palace at Venice, my posses
SONS, my honors? give them all and may die
II forfeit my word. Life, lie only-save only
my lte.'
MnsSaccio could not resist such prayers, and
mingled with such promises. He let down the
| branch again.
'Ah, here you at last said he, seeing Vital.
Is come up.
Yes, said he, ard u,tering cry ofioy, he FAINT
Ell III The arms oil MaSsacoio. MasSaccio sustained,
assisted him, and brought him to himself; then,
giving INN his arm, Let u.s. said he quit the for
esti but pllaiis could hardly walk-he was ex-
| hausted with hunger
'Eat this piece of bread,' said Massaccio, and he
gave HIM some, which he took Of his wallet.
Vitals, show can Lever sufficiently reconpense
you?' S''0
you have promised me q marriage portion for
my bride, and your palace at Venice for myself,
salu Massacclo. But Vitalis now began to regain
his strength.
yes, certainly, will give portion to YOUR
wlte, my dear Massaccio, ami will mn Ike you the
richest peasant in your village. Whe,e do YOU
| live?, ~
AT Capalatta in The forest; but I would willing
" quit my villnge to establish mysefat Venice in
The palace you have promised me-
Here we are out of the foreSt,' said Vitalis IL
know my road now; thank you, Massacci ~
But when shall come for my palace and the
portion OF my ntended?' returned the peasant.
| arated. 'Np q
Vitalis went to Venice. and Massacco TO Cap
alatta where lie related his adventure to his mis-
Iess' telling her what a rich portion she was to
nave, anu what fine palace she was TO liye'in.
The nextday early he set out for Venice, and
asked for the palace of the S:gnor Vialis-went
straight toit, and told the domestcs that he should
come shortly with his mistress. in fine carriage,
| to take possession of the palace which the Sgnor
Vitalis had promised to give him. Massaccio an
peared TO those who head him mad, and Vitalis
was told that there was peasant in his hall, who
asked io5 EMANCIPATION, and said the palace
Let him be turned out Immediately said Vita
lis; Il know him not.'
The Wallets accordingly drove him away, with
insults, and MnSsacc:o returned 10 his cottar. in
despair withou, dating TO see his mistress. Atone
corner of his fireplace was seated the monkey, at
the other The lion, and the serpent had twisted it.
self in spiral circles upon the hearth. Massaccio
was seized nth fear. 'tIhe man has driven Inc
from his door,, thought he: .the lion will certain
ly deyour me, the serpent sting me, and the mon
key laugh at me; and this will be my reward lor
saving them from the pitt" BUT the monkey
turned to him with most amicable grimace; the
lion vibrating his tail, came and licked his hand,
like dog caressing his master; and the serpent,
unrolling its ringy body, moved about the room
with contented and grateful air, which gave
courage to Massaccio.
'Poor animas!.' said he, sphey are better than
the Signor Vitnlis; he drove me like beegar
from tile door. All! with what pleasure wonlL