The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-04
THE HERMIT.

In the reign of King Moabdar there lived
at Babylon u young man named Zadig.
He was handsome. rich and naturally good
hearted. and nt.the moment when this story
opens he was travelling on foot to see the
world and to learn philosophy and wisdom.
But hitherto he had encountered SO much
misery and endured 60 many. terrible dis
asters that he had become tempted to rebel
against the will of Heaven, and to believe that
the Providence which rules the void neg
lects the good and let's the evil prosper. In
this unhappy spirit he was one day walking
on the banks of the Euphrates when he
CHANGED to meet Il venerable hermit, whose
snowy beard descended to his girdle,
and who car led in his hand a scroll which
he was reading with attention. Iadig
stopped and made him a low DOW. The
hermit returned the salutation with an air
SO kindly and SO noble that Zadig felt a
curiosity to speak to him. lie inquired
what scroll was that which he was reading.
ut is the book of destiny" replied the
hermit; ''would you like to read itY"
He handed it to zadig, but the latter,
though he knew a dozen languages, could
not understand a word of it. His curiosity
increased.
You appear to be in trouble" said the
kindly hermit.
''Alas!" said Zadig, 81 have cause to be
So"
IF you will allow me-" said the hermit,
81 will accompany you. Perhaps may be
useful to you. l am sometimes able to con
sole the s~orrowful."
Zadig felt a deep respect for the appear
ance, the white beard and the mysterious
scroll of the old hermit and perceived that
his conversation was that of a superior
mind. The old man spoke of destiny, of
Justice, or morality, of the chief good of
life, of human frailty, of virtue and of vice
with 80 much power and eloquence that
Zadig felt himself attracted by n kind of
charm and besought the hermit not to
leave him until they should return to
Babylon.
II ask you the same favor said the her.
NIT. promise me that, whatever l may
do. you will keep me company for several
DAYS."
Zadig gave the promise and they set
forth together.
That night the travellers arrived at d
grand mansion. The hermit begged for
food and lodging for himself and compan-
ion. The porter, who might have been
mistaken for a prince. ushered them in
with a contemptuous air OF welcome. Ihe
chief servant showed them the magnificent
apartments and then admitted them to the
bottom of the table, where the master of
the mansion did not condescend to cast a
glance at them. They were, however,
served with delicacies in profusion, and af-
ter dinner washed their hands in n golden
basin set with emeralds and rubies. They
were then conducted for the night into a
beautiful apartment, and the next morning
before they left the castle a servant brought
them each a piece of gold.
The master of the house" said Zadig, as
they went their way, appears to be n gem
erous man, although a tritie naughty. He
practices a noble hospitality" AS he spoke
he perceived that q kind OF large pouch
which the hermit carried appeared slngu-
larly distended; within it was the golden
basin, set with precious stones, which the
old man had purloined. Zadig was amazed;
but he said nothing.
At noon the hermit stoppen before q lit
tie house, in which lived n wealthy miser,
and once mora asked for hospitality. An
old valet iii Il shabby coat received them
very rudely, showed them into the sta
BILE, and set before them "a few rotten oil
ives, some moldy bread, and beer which
had turned sour. The hermit ate and
drank with as much content as lie had
shown the night before; then, addressing
the old valet. who had kept his eye upon
them to make sure that they stole nothing,
he gave him the two gold pieces which they
had received that morning and thanked
him for his kind attention. "Be SO good
he added, "as to let me see your master"
The astonished valet showed them in.
Most mighty slgnor," said the hermit,
for the noble manner in which you have re-
ceived us. | beseech you to accept this
golden basin MS a token of my gratitude
The miser almost fell backward with
amazement. The hermit, without waiting
for him to recover, set Oft with speed with
his companion.
"Holy Father said Zadig, what does
all this mean? You seem to me to resemble
other men in nothing. You steal a golden
basin set with jewels from a signor with re-
ceives you with magniticence, and you gave
it to a ourmudgeon who treats you with in
dignity"
My son." replied the hermit, this
mighty lord, who only welcomes travellers
through vanity, and to display his riches.
will henceforth grow wiser, while the nliser
Will be taught to practice hospitality. be
amazed at nothing and follow me-"
Ladiz knew not whether he was dealing
with the most foolish or the wisest of all
men. But the hermit sroke with such
ascendency that Zadig, who besides was
fettered by his promise, had no choice ex-
cept to follow him.
That night they came to an agreeable
house, of simple aspect and showing signs
of neither prodigality nor avarice. The
owner was a philosopher, who had left the
world, and who studied peacefully the rules
of virtue and of wisdom, and who yet was
happy and contented.
He had built this calm retreat to please
himself, and he received the strangers in it
with II frankness which displayed no sign
of ostentation. He conducted them him
self to "A comfortable chamber. where he
made them rest awhile; then he returned
to lead them to u dainty little supper. Dur
ing their conversation t.ey agreed that the
affairs of this world are not always regu-
lated by the opinions of the wisest men.
But the hermit still maintained that the
yvnys nf yrnpit1anpn II ~, Wrnnnpl in AVA
terry, and that men do wrong to pass their
Judgment on a universe of which they only
see the smallest part. Iadig wondered how
II person who committed such mad acts
could reason 20 correctly.
At length, after Il conversation rs agree
mile as instructive, the host conducted the
two travellers to their apartment, and
thanked heaven for sending him two visit
ois SO wise and vlrtuous. He offered them
some money, but 30 frankly that thev could
AAl -