Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-12-28
TIE FIRST IMPULSE.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LII 40o4 4MI UuC0 z
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Turin was wealthy citizen Of Bag
dad, who was far and wide renowned
for his many virtues. In assisting the
the poor with his money he was so
generous that he had to deprive him
self of the Injuries of life, and the pa.
thence with which he listened to the
laments of the suffering and cheered
them with kind words earned him the
love and admiration of his fellow
citizens.
lie bore with resignation all the pet
ty annoyances which accompany man
through life in an almost unbroken
chain. He was truly tolerant, and
never waxed angry when others did
not share his opinions-a rare and
difficult virtue, indeed, for there is no
human being who does not wish in
his innermost heart ,nat all OIL. r
human beings might be his interiors
and yet in bis likeness.
He was a faithful husband, and this
in spite Of his wife being OF a quar-.
relsOme nature. He bore with her i'll
temper and seemed not TO mind at all
that she was no longer young 'and
beautiful. Finally his unselfishness
was SO great that, though himself the
author of numerous poems and
dramas, he rejoiced over the success OF
his rivals, and proved his joy by Civ.
ing them sincere words of encourage
ment and rendering them all kinds Of
services. In brief. all his life was
made up Of mercy, senleness, Loyalty,
unselfshness, and he was considered
a saint--a chivalrous saint.
In spite of all this he showed lack
of that calm serenity which usually it,
Eliminates the face of sanity persons.
His features had the suffering express
sion of one who has fallen a prey of
wild passions or secret SORROWS, and
frequently, in the very moment of
doing some kind Of act, he would cast
down his eyes. Was it to collect him
self or to avoid looking into peoples
faces. No one could tell.
Now there lived, not far from Bag.
dad, an ascetic by the name Of Mai
trega. He was miracle worker, and
the pious from all parts of the world
focked to him to be helped by his
prayers. Having renowned the world
and all its usages, Maitrega had dug a
cave into the bank d the river and
become holy man, whose prayers
were always heard At the throne OF
Ormuzd. With his bony, hair covered
arms upifted to heaven he stood be-
fore his cave as unwearied as a tree
stretching its branches upward, SO
that the swallows, deceived by his i'm.
mobility, took Maitrega for an old
willow and built their nests on his
shoulders. His s,ce was tanned
brown by the sun and was black with
dirt, and his long beard and tangled
hair blew about him like the wind
beaten grass blades on the ramparts
Of an old castle ruin. And so he had
lived for many years, for such had
been his will.
One day he overheard a pilgrim say.
ing:
"Turiri appears like an embodiment
Of Ormuzd. If he only had the power
to do what he likes misery would
surely disappear from the EARTH"
Maitregas form became more rigid.
It was apparent that the ascetic had
entered into communion with Ormu7d.
A few moments passed in silence, then
he said to the pilgrim:
" cannot compel Ormuzd to grant
TO Turiri the power to do everything
he wishes, for in that event he would
be equal to Cod Ormuzd has, however,
at all occasions the first wish enter.
tanned by Turir shall be Immediately
realized"
"Oh!" replied the pilgrim, "this al
most amounts to the same. Turiri's
first wish at whatever occasion will I've
like all his other wishes, always gen.
erous and good, You have announced
to me, reverend sir, the happiness OF
countless human beings; accept my
best thanks"
Had Maitrega's beard been less i'm.
penetrable the pilgrim might have no-
ticed an ironica smile gliding over his
petrifed lips. A moment later, how
ever, the ascetic was again absorbed
in deep meditation.
And the pilgrim returned to the city
and rejoiced in anticipation of the
benefcent miracles through which
Turiri's power undoubtedly would be.
come manifest.
The next morning Turiri on awaken
ing happened to throw glance upon
his wife who was still slumbering at
his side. All Of sudden his wife, as
though driven by some mysterious
power, rose, rushed to the window
and precipitated herself into the yard,
shattering her skull on the pavement.
Turiri left his house and soon saw
himself importuned by crowd of beg
gars. He did not utter harsh word
to them, and was about to distribute
aims In his habitual kind way, when,
10! all the beggars dropped dead.
Continuing his walk he met fair
Mandenika, one Of the most noted
courtesans Of Bagdad. Eager to gain
the wise mans love she told him the
story of her life, and tried to per-
suade him that she was unlike any
other woman of her profession. Turiri
was moved TO pity and was about to
express to her his sympathy, when the
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