The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-10-03
l1TERARr>
MASET AND HIS MARE,

1t is remarkable. and hardly to be
believed by those who have not
studied the history of superstition,
what eXtravagant fables may be i'm
posed OF. the faith of the vulgar peo-
pie; especially when such fables are
rehearsed in print, which of itself has
passed before now as the work of Il
black OF magical art. and has still in
fluence enough over ignorant minds,
to make them believe, Ike Masetto,
that Il book of romances is a gospel.
This Massetto. like most other rus
tics, was very credulOuS man; but
more simple otherwise than country
folks commonly appear, who have Il
great deal Of crafty instinct of their
own, which comes to them spontane-
ously, as to the ravens and magpies.
And whereas pastoral people are gen
orally churliSe and headstrOng, and,
in spite of the antique poets, of coarse
and brutal tempers, Masetto, on the
contrary, was very gentle and mild,
and 50 compassionate Wlthal. that he
would weep over Il wounded creature
like Il very woman. This caey dis
position made him liable to be trick
ed by any subtle knave that might
think it worth his pains, and among
such IOgueS there was none that dup
ed him more notably than one Bruno
Corvette, Il hOrSe-cOurSer, and us dis
honest as the most capital OF his
trade. This fellow, observing that
Masetto had u very good mare, which
he kept to convey his wares to Flor
ence, resolved to obtain her at the
,l, - al, hy 81
gem, and knowing we'll the simple and
credulous character of the farmer, he
soon devised Il plan. Now Masetto
was very tender to all dumb animals,
and especially to his mare, who was
not insenslble to his kindly usage, but
pricked up her ears at the sound of
his voice, and followed him here and
and there, with the sagacity and af-
faction of faithful dog, together
with many other such tokens of an
intelligence that has rarely belonged
to her race. The crafty Corvette,
therefore. conceived great hopes OF
his scheme; accordingly, having
planted himself in the road by which
MaSetto used to return home, he
managed to fall into discourse with
him about the mare, which he regard
ed very earnestly, and this he repeat
ed for several days. At last. MasettC
observing that he seemed very much
affected when he talked Of her. be
came very curious about the cause
and inquired If it had ever been hi:
good fortune To have such another
good mare rs his own; TO this Corvet
to made no reply, but throwing hi:
arms about the mare 5 neck, began t,
hug her SO lovingly, and with St
many deep drawn signs, that MaSett'
began 70 stare amazingly. and I,
cross himself as fast as he could
The hypocritical Corvette then turn
ing away from the animal, "A las,
said he this beloved creature tina
YOU see before YOU is no mare. but II
unhappy woman. disguised III thl
horrible. brutal shape by an accurse,
imagiclau. Heaven only knows il
what manner my beloved wife pro
voked This internal malice. bat doubt
less il MAS by her UnconQuerable VII
tue. which, was r,valed only by IN
loveliGts> Of hcg person. / have bee
seeking her in this shape. ali ever tn
wearisome earth. AND noW | have dl>
covered her. l have not the where
withal 10 redeem her OF you. N
money being all expended n tn
charges OF travelling, otherwise
would take her Instantly To The mos
famous wizard. Michael Scott. who
sojourning 1T Florence. anu by tn
help OF his magical books might Iii:
cover some charm 10 restore her
her natural shape. Then ciaSpin
the docile mare about the neck agar
he affected 10 wee over her very bI
terly.
The simple Masette was very niue
disturbed at this story. but knew nC
whether to believe ii, till at last h
besought himself Of the village prizes
ane proposed to consult him upon tn