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Story
October 4, 1824
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Loyal servant cures Marquis of Ferrara's severe ague by pushing him into the Po River for shock therapy, then returns for a staged execution to complete the cure, demonstrating devotion and leading to his pardon. (184 chars)
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From the London MIRROR.
Powerful Effects of Sudden Fear.
Nieolo, marquis of Ferrara, was taken ill of an ague, which continued so violent that his physicians gave him up, and sent him to a country-house he had on the river Po, for change of air. His servant, who loved him with the utmost tenderness, having heard that sudden fear was a sovereign cure for that complaint, resolved to try it on his master! wherefore, having observed that the marquis walked every day on the banks of the Po, and knowing it was not deep, he resolved to push him in. He acquainted a miller, who lived over against the place, with his design, and having ordered him to be ready with his boat to take his master up if there should be occasion, the next morning he threw him in, after which he fled to Padua; in the mean time, the miller took up the marquis, who was indeed thoroughly frightened, and vowed to be revenged. So extraordinary a case was the subject of general conversation: the marquis caused his servant to be summoned before the courts of justice, and not appearing, he was declared an outlaw, and condemned, if he should ever return, to be beheaded. This news soon reached Padua, notwithstanding which, the servant in a few days come back to Ferrara; and desired admittance to the marquis, which was denied, and instead thereof, he was apprehended, and ordered to prepare for execution. The marquis, however, finding himself cured of his ague, his resentment began to abate, and he was determined to save him, but seemed to resolve to let the law take its course. A day was fixed for his execution, and all Ferrara thronged to see it. The servant appeared on the scaffold, and after protesting that he had no other motive than the cure of his master, he laid his head on the block, and gave the fatal signal. The executioner, according to previous orders, at that instant poured cold water on his neck, and this was no sooner done, than the color left his cheeks, his eyes sunk in his head, and he died in a few moments without speaking a single word.
Powerful Effects of Sudden Fear.
Nieolo, marquis of Ferrara, was taken ill of an ague, which continued so violent that his physicians gave him up, and sent him to a country-house he had on the river Po, for change of air. His servant, who loved him with the utmost tenderness, having heard that sudden fear was a sovereign cure for that complaint, resolved to try it on his master! wherefore, having observed that the marquis walked every day on the banks of the Po, and knowing it was not deep, he resolved to push him in. He acquainted a miller, who lived over against the place, with his design, and having ordered him to be ready with his boat to take his master up if there should be occasion, the next morning he threw him in, after which he fled to Padua; in the mean time, the miller took up the marquis, who was indeed thoroughly frightened, and vowed to be revenged. So extraordinary a case was the subject of general conversation: the marquis caused his servant to be summoned before the courts of justice, and not appearing, he was declared an outlaw, and condemned, if he should ever return, to be beheaded. This news soon reached Padua, notwithstanding which, the servant in a few days come back to Ferrara; and desired admittance to the marquis, which was denied, and instead thereof, he was apprehended, and ordered to prepare for execution. The marquis, however, finding himself cured of his ague, his resentment began to abate, and he was determined to save him, but seemed to resolve to let the law take its course. A day was fixed for his execution, and all Ferrara thronged to see it. The servant appeared on the scaffold, and after protesting that he had no other motive than the cure of his master, he laid his head on the block, and gave the fatal signal. The executioner, according to previous orders, at that instant poured cold water on his neck, and this was no sooner done, than the color left his cheeks, his eyes sunk in his head, and he died in a few moments without speaking a single word.
What sub-type of article is it?
Medical Curiosity
Heroic Act
Extraordinary Event
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Recovery
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Sudden Fear Cure
Ague Remedy
Loyal Servant
Mock Execution
River Fright
What entities or persons were involved?
Nieolo, Marquis Of Ferrara
His Servant
Miller
Where did it happen?
Ferrara, River Po, Padua
Story Details
Key Persons
Nieolo, Marquis Of Ferrara
His Servant
Miller
Location
Ferrara, River Po, Padua
Story Details
A devoted servant cures the ailing Marquis of Ferrara of his ague by pushing him into the shallow Po River to induce sudden fear. After fleeing, he returns and submits to a mock execution ordered by the marquis, who has recovered, leading to the servant's faked death and ultimate pardon.