The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-11-07
AN ITALIAN FABLE.

only child, boy of fifteen, had feeble intellect.
The notary died, and in ais will gave orders that
this child named Burtucio, should inherit his
whole property, TO como int possession at the
age Of thirty and that at the age of twenty-five,
he should receive three hundred ducats, to be
employed in merchandise or other1 business, Is
should seem good to him. 90
When Burtucio had reached this age, he de-
manded Of his mother, who was his guardian,
hundren ducats. which she gave him, charging
him to mploy them well. He then started on
his journey, and meeting robber who had kill
ed merchant, and was still piercing him with
his dagger, his pity was greatly moved, and he
exclaimed:
80 sir, what are you doing Do you not see
that the man is dead already 2"
To which the robber, his hands dripping with
blood, replied
"Go away from here, for your own good. Pass
on your way. or worse will happen TO you"
80, spare the poor body y cried Burtucio.
"Sir, will you not sell it to me2 will pay you
for it in money-all you ask"
what will you give ?" asked the robber.
"Fifty ducats," said Burtucio. d '-A+ j.
"That ia too little" said the robber. ''The
body is worth more. But if you will give me
eighty ducats, You can have 1t"
Burtucio counted out the money ; then lifting
the body on his shoulders, he carried it to the
nearest church, where h, had it honorably bur-
led, and paid his remaining ducats for masses for
the soul.
His money spent, he was obliged to return
home. His mother heard of his arrival, and
thinking that he had made some good trade, ran
to meo. him, welcoming him, and demanding to
know what he had done.
81 have done well" he said "for yesterday l
gained your soul and mine 90 that when they
leave the BODY they will go straight to paradise"
He then told her all Hearing which, the moth
was troubled, and bitterly regretted her sons
foolisllness
1t was no. long before he demanded of his
mother the remainder Of tho three hundred du-
cats left h,a by his father. She gave it to him
saying:
"Here, take your money, and do the worst you
can with it. You will break my heart!'
20 mother, do rot be angry. / hope to do
80 well with it that yen will be entirely sat
isfed"
Thus saying, he bade her farewell. and depart
u Having entered large forest, he met there
two soldiers, who had carried off TOrquina, only
daughter OF the King Of Navarro. They were in
great dispute as to which should have her a. a
wife, when Burtucio said TO them:
"Wh.t are you doing my friends? Would
you kill each ether for this young girl Cease
your quarrel, and give her to me. ! will give
You price Tor her that will satisfy you"
At these words. the soldiers putting an end to
their strife, demanded Of him what he would
give for her.
"Iw5hunirsd ducsts," he answered
At the Offer the soldiers. who knew not that
G!,e girl was q princess delivered her to Bur-
tucio took the money, and divided it between
chem.
Delighted with his beautiful merchandise,
Burtucio returned to his mother, to whom he
said
Mother, you cannot now complain that have
not spent nay money well, for / have brought
ysu this charming girl who will keep You
company. ..N
The mother was more displeased than before,
and told her son that he was the disgrace and
RUIN OF the house, and she wished him a hundred
feet under the ground ; but the young man bore
all patiently, and tried to comfort her.
The King Of Navarro made great search .very.
where for the recovery of his lost daughter, and
at last heard that she was in the house of Bur.
tuclo' lie therefore sent to demand her, and
burtucio delivered her up. Before leaving sh.
told him privately that whom the time came she
Should be given in marriage, she wished him to
present himself among her spitors, with his hand
raised to his head, that thereby shs might easily
recognize him. when in gratitude for all he had
zone Tor her, she would choose him for her
husband 49,
Many months passed away At last it came to
TO be giyen in marriage He Immediately set
out eh ms way to Navarro. But his horse was
sworn out jade, so feshless that his bones might
have boon counted through his skin He vas
met by knight, mounted on = fine animal. and
followed by suite of servants in livery. The
knltht addressed him in gracious tone
" here arc you going, brother, alone and in |
sue .,ste :"
Hnrracio replied that ne was on his way to
'ua what Business, [ pray you 2" asked She
Iauc.1 told him
'l'oor man" said the knight. II shall be there
before you, inasmuch as ] am better mounted
than you and well attended"
"Ncrv well, - said Burtucio 81 shall be IA GLAD
Of Your good fortune as of my swn."
Tie knight then said: "Cive me your horse
and clothes, and take mine, and 20 in the name
Of heaven But it shall be on this condition
tn un your return you shall give me back
wlat ] nave lent, with half that you shall have
ganc.'
I'll Burtucio promised.
Arrived at the palace, the king was sitting in
gallery which overlooked the city. When he
saw Durtuco SO well clad and mounted, and
folloned by train so worthy, he said to
himself:
My i pie Sc heaven , that my daughter shall
lie, wing his gallery, the king went in to the
hall where were assembled all tho princes and
great lords, who had came for the hand of The
princes, and he paid to her.