The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-05-18
Selfrf Shrr.
ANTONIO AND BASsANlo.
The Story of the Two Friends and
the jew as Told in an Italian Book
of Tales--The Lady and the Ring.

The following is the story of "The
Merchant of Venice" as told by Mr.
James SPEEDING, in the Cornhill Maga-
zine, and is stated by him to be found in
an old collection of, tales in al Peco-
rone," written by Ser Giovanni, notary
Of Florence about 1878. It's interest
lies 10 the probability that on it Shaks-
peare founded his play.
Giannetto, the youngest son of a rich
merchant of Florence, receives from his
dying father a letter addressed to bis
dearest friend, Ansaido, the greatest OF
the Christian merchants in Venice, who,
being childless man and Gianetto's 3
godfather, had long been anxious to
adopt him. This letter, be tells him, is
to be instead Of any other provision
"Bebave WE'LL" he says, land you will
certainly be rich man. Ansaldo wel-
comes his godson with delight, orders
bis servants to attend to him as to him.
self, gives him the keys of his money
boxes, and desires him to spend all freely
in distinguishing himself and entertain
ing his friends; and to remember that
"the more he gains the good will OF
every body the more dear he will be to
him. Giannetto follows his direction,
quickly distinguishes himself in all the
qualities of a gentleman, becomes q uni
versal favorite and the most accomplish
ed youth in Venice, and behaves In all
ways to his godfather's satisfaction
Such man, it is thought by his friends,
should have something more to do
should see more and be more seen--and
two OF the most intimate, intending q
mercantile voyage to Alexandria, urge
him to 60 with them In ship of his
own. He would like to GO il Anssldo
will give him leave; Ansaldo is willing
TO furnish him if he would like to co.
He is provided with a fine ship richly
freighted, and the three friends set sail
together. The ships keep each other
company until Gianette, early one morn.
ing, seeing fine port and hearing tha,
it is the port Of
THE LADY OF BELMoNTE
IA beautiful widow, but dangerous te
visit, every visitor being obliged to IN,
dertake certain task on condition tina
II he accomplishes it be shall take he1
for his wife and be lord Of the port anC
all the country, but if he fails he shall
give up to her all that he brings will
him, and many had gone in rich ant
come out with nothing-resolves to tax,
his chance; sails in unperceiyed by hi
companions; is received With festiv
welcome; after due warning of the con
ditions, goes to his trial fails; loses all
and returns to Venice, much ashamed
and obliged to say that his ship had beel
wrecked and all on board lost excep
himself. Ansaldo makes light Of th
accident. Since his son has come bac
safe, all is we'll he may be cheerful an,
easy; they have enough left. But uhe
the two friends with whom he had Sc
out return rich from their voyage, an,
tell him il he will go with them aeai
the next spring he may easily gain a
. much as be has lost, ,Ausaldo, seeing tbs
he could not be happy without maxim
the trial, provides him with another shi
more richly freighted than the first, an
the three set out again in company ae be
tore. But Gianetto whose real aim we
to get without their knowledge Into th
fport Of Belmonte, contrives to elud
them; sails in; is recognized and receiy
ed as before; undertakes the same tas
again; again fails; and returns again t
Venice, having lost all, and saying th,
had suffered another shipwreck. Thes
repeated losses had nearly exhauste
Ansaldo's means, but not his affection G
his patience; and when the two friend
return again very rich from their secon
i voyage, he fiuds that Gianetto cannot
+ happy without one more effort to recovt
| his losses, he sells all he has in order /
8 provide third ship for him, ,and becaus
= all that he has is not enough to do it
handsomely as he would, and be wan
still ten thousand ducats, he applies hin
1 self to
n JEW AT METsEL,
D and borrows them on condition that
2 they are not paid on the feast of
0 John, in the next month of June, IL