Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-02-15
CHAPTER XVII.


THE HERMIT.
Pacing slowly along he encountered u
hermit whose vhlte and venerable beard
descended to his girdle. He held In bis
hand a book which he read attentyely.
Zadig checked himself and made him a
profound inclination. The hermit saluted
him with an air 20 noble and so sweet
that Zadig was seized with curiosity and
interest to converse with him be asked
him what book II was that he read.
at is the book of destiny" said The her
NIT, "do you wish to read In ""
He put the book into the hands OF Ia
dig, who, instructed though be was In
many tongues, could not decipher a slngie
character there written .iis redoublcdh his
curiosity, The good father sal to him.
"You appear to be very soriowiul.
"Alas / am well used to that state"
answered Zadig.
"If You permit me 10 be your compan-
ion." said the old man, 81 may perhaps
be useful to you. have sometimes beVn
able TO diiiuse consultations In the souls OF
the unhappy"
Zadig felt respect for the air, the vener-
able beard, and the book Of the hermit,
and found in his conversation superior
intelligence. The hermit spoke of destiny
of justice, OF morals, OF the sovereign
good, of human weakness, of virtue, and
of vice, with an eloquence so enlivenlng
and touching that Zadig felt himselfdrawu
towards him BY an invinclble charm. He
urged him not 10 part company with him
until they should return to Babylon.
~ beg of you The same favor" answer
ed the old man Swear to me by Orosmade
that you will not separate yourself from
me for three days, no matter what may
do"
ZadIg took the required oath, aud they
went on together.
The TWO travellers arrived that evening
at a superb palace, where the hermit
craved hos pitAlity for himself and the
young man who accompanied him. The
porter, who might have been taken for a
great lord himself, admitted them with a
kind of good-humored disdain. They
were presented to one of the principle do
mestlcs, who showed them all the magnif-
cent apartments of his master. They
were seated Al the lower end Of grand
table without the lord Of the palace honor
ing them with single glance, but they
we're served like the others with dellcacies
IN profusion. They were then given, that
they might wash their hands, a basin OF
gold unrnisbed with emeralds and rubies
and were shown into a luxurious chamber
where they might repose for the night
In the morning u servant brought TO each
of them q piere of gold, and dismissed
them.
"The master Of that mansion, said Ha-
dig as they pursued their way, appears
to me q generous man, though little too
proud, and one who exercises noble hos
pitality."
While speaking thus he perceived that
kind of very large pouch which the her,
nit carried appeared distended and Inflated
and soon saw that II was the basin OF gold
gainished with precious stones, which the
hermit had stolen. He dared nottake any
notice OF what he saw, but he was strange
ly surprised.
Towards noon the hei nit stopped at thl
door of a very small house, the dwellirl
of a rich misrr, and requested his hospi
, tnlity for few hours. An cid servant
very poorly and meanly dressed, receive'
! them very rudely aud only allowed then
, to enter the stable, where they were give
/ some withered olives, sour beer aud blacl
, bread. The hermit ate and drank with al
air of perfect content, and then, addressing
the old servant who watched them closel
/ to see that they stole nothing, and VIII
pressed them to 20, lie gave him the tw
! pieces Of gold which they had receive
I that morning, thanking him for all hi
4 attention. 81 pray you, said he 'lt
o me speak 10 your MASTER"
The astonished ervant introduced th
s two travellers. Magnificent seigueur,
e said the hermit to the miser ~ can onl
render You humble thanks for the klndnts
with which you have received u.s. Deig
II to accept this golden basiu as wea
}. token of my gratitude"
6 The miser was ready to fall with aston
Il fah. ~ efaah n The lHl
= init did not give him time TO collect a
2 senses, but left him.
II "My father" said Zadig," what Is a
. this which see 2 you appear in nothin
e to resemble other men. You stole thi
e golden basin from the man who receive
8. You so magni6cenlly and you have give
g it to miser who treated you with indii
le nity."
dMy son." replied the old man, ''thi
es magnificent lord who only receive
'e stranger for vanity, and In order tht
y they might admire bis riches, will now b.
" come wiser. The miser will learn 10 exc
re else hospitality Wonder at nothing bl
n. follow me-"
I'd Zadig knew not yet whether the herm
be was the most foolish or the wisest Of me
but he spoke with so much aseendent
IN that his young companion, bound besid
be BY his oath, could not but follow him.
h, They arrived that evening at a mnnsi6
e, agreeably but simply built, In which the
ed appeared neither prodigality nor avarie
ng The master was philosopher retired fro
he the world, who cultivated In peace q
wisdom and virtue which he loved, fn