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


pleased with building this retreat in which
he received strangers with a nobleness
which had nothing Of ostentation.
He came himself TO meet the travellers,
and showed them for their repose plea
SAINT aud commodious apartment, after
which he came TO invite them to join him
In his evening repast.
Durlnr supper be spoke with much good
understanding and discretion OF the late
resolutions In Babylon. He appeared sin
cefely attached 10 the Princess Astarte,
and wished that the wise minister Zadig
conld have appeared In the lists to dispute
the crown. "But mankind, said he, "are
not worthy, 1t sppears, to have such king
as Zadig."
His guest blushed at these words, and
felt new pangs Of sorrow
At last, alter much conversation both
Instructive aud agreeable, the host re con-
Quoted the two travellers to their apartment
blessing heaven which had sent him two
men 80 wise and so virtuous. He offered
them money, in an easy and noble manner
which could not displease them. The her
NIT refused 1t, and asked that they might
now take their leave of him, as they m list
journey towards Babylon before the break
of day. Their separation was cordial
zadig especially felt full of esteem aud Of
inclination for this kind and amiable man.
The hermit and he, being left alone In
their apartment, mutually eulogized their
host. The old man at the first CLEAN Of
daylight awakened his companion.
"We must CO." said he, "but let me,
while all the world still sleeps, leave to
this good man token OF my esteem and
affection"
Saying these words he took torch and
SET fire to the house. Zadig would have
cried out, would have lmpeached him for
committing so frightful an action, but the
hermit drew bin away with superior force.
The house was 10 flames the hermit, now
with his companion at some distance, re-
garded II TRANQUILITY.
"Hta be praised l'' said he, "behold
the mansion Of our dear host destroyed to
the very foundation. He Is happy
man !"
At these words Zadg felt ready, at the
same time, to break into laughter, to say
injurious things to the reverend father, to
beat him and TO dy from him but he did
nothing of all that, aud, still subjlcated
by the ascendency of the hermit, fol-
lowed him In spite Of himself 10 their next
resting place.
This was the house of charitable and
virtuous widow, who had a nephew OF
fourteen years, agreeable and sprightly,
and the hope and stay of her age. Sue
did as best she could the honor Of the
house, and the next morning sent her
nephtw to accompany the travellers until
they should pass bridge, which, being
lately broken, had become dangerous
,,assage.
The lad walked before them, and they
reached the bridge, when the hermit said ;
"Now must show my gratitude to your
venerable aunt" And seizrg him by the
hair he threw him into the river, The
boy fell, re-appeared moment upon the
water, aud then was engulped by it.
so monster o most wicked OF men ~
exclaimed Zadlg "You promised more
patience" said the hermit, intorrupting
him. "Learu that, under The ruins oi
that house which Providence devoted to
the FIRE, the master of ii has found aI
immense treasure. Learn that this youth
whose life Providence has taken to-day
would have assassinated his aunt In one
year, and you In two."
"Who told thee that, barbarian 2" ex
claimed Zadig. "And even If thou hasl
read these things tn thy book of destiny
is II permitted TO thee to kill child who
has dond thee no III :"
While the Bpbylonian spoke he per
ceiYed that tho old man had lost bis vener
able beard, that his Vlsage had the look o.
youth. His hermit's habit disappeared
Beautiful wings covered a body, majestic
and radlating splendor.
90, envoy Of Heaven o, angel divine =
cried Zadig, prostrRting himself befor
him, "hast thou then descended from th'
empyrean to teach a weak mortal to sub
NIT to It's eternal order 7"
"Men," said the angel Jesrid, "Judg
Of all things while knowing nothing
Thou, Zadig, art he Who Of all men merit
most 10 be enlightened.
Zads asked his pernlIss' m 10 speak.
ri humble ne-clf before thy wisdom,
said he, '''lt msr J pu thee 10 clea
florl ~, one doubt Would II no
have been better 10 cor &c. that child, an
60 10 make him fiTtIo -, than to droWi
hin :"
Jrsria .ealied, off he had survived
and if le had become yiftuous, his destin
would have been 10 be assassiRated him
self, with the wife whom he should es
pOuso, and the son who should be born /
him"
"But," said Zadig, "is II then necessar
that there should be crimes and misfol
tunes, and that the mIslortunes shoul
fall upon men who do well 7"
''The wicked" responded Jesrad, "ar
always unhappy. They serve to prov
ana try the small number of the just upo
the earth aud there is no evil from whic
there Is uot bonn good"
''But," said Zadig, 'could not all b
good without the evil 70