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

IL is remarkable. ana 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 a
black or magical art. and has still in.
fluence enough over ignorant minds,
to make them believe, like MasettO,
that 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 a
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 SO compassionate withal, that he
wound weep Overa wounded creature
like Il very woman. This casy dis
position made him liable to be trick
ed by any subtle knave that might
think it worth his pains, and among
such rogues there was none that dup
ed him more notably than one Bruno
Corvette, Il horse-courser, and as dis
honest as the most capital Of his
trade. This fellow, observing that
Masetto had very good mare, which
he kept to convey his wares to Flor
ence, resolved to obtain her at the
cheapest rate, which was by Strata
gem, and knowing we'll the simple and
credulous character Of the farmer, he
soon devised plan. Now Masetto
was very tender to all dumb animals,
and especially to his mare, who was
not insensible 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 II 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 his
good fortune to have such another
good mare as his own; to this COrvet
to made no reply, but throwing his
arms about the mares neck, began tC
hug her so lovingly, and with st
many deep drawn signs, that Masettt
began TO stare amazingly. and t.
cross himself as fast as he could
The hypocritical Corvette then turn
ing away from the animal, ''Alast
said he. "this beloved creature that
you see before you is no mare, but ar
unhappy woman, disguised in this
horrible. brutal shape by an accursed
magician. Heaven only knows il
what manner my beloved wife pro
voked this internal malice, but doubt
less it WAS by her uneonQuerable vir
tue. which was rivaled only by The
loveliaess of her person. | have beer
seeking her in this shape. all over The
wearisome earth, and now | have dis
covered her. l have not the where
withal TO redeem her OF you. my
money being all expended in tn,
charges. of travelling. otherwise
would tHke her instantly to the mos
famous wizard, Michael Scott, who i:
sojourning ut Florence, and by tn,
help of his magical books might dis
cover some charm to restore her I,
her natural shape Then claspins
the dociie mare about the neck again
he affected to wee p over her very bit
terly.
The simple Masette was very mucl
disturbed at this story, but knew no
whether to believe it, till at last h,
besought himself of the village priest
ane proposed to consult him upon the