Smyrna times., 1900-02-28

though driven by some mysterious
power. rose. rushed to the window and
precipitated herself into the ward. shat.
tering her skull on the pavement.
Turiri left his house ana soon saw
himself importuned by a 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
Mandenka. one of the most noted
courtesans of Bagdad EaS~r to gain
the wise mans love, she tOjiTd him the
story of her life and tried to persuade
him that she was unlike any other wo-
man of her profession. Turiri was
moved to pity and was about to ex-
press to her his sympathy when the
woman all of a sudden fell lifeless at
his feet.
Arriving in the city. he found that
the street which he had to cross was
blocked with numerous carriages. Aft
er waiting few moments be began to
lose patience. when all at once drivers
and horses. as though hit by some mys-
terious blow. dropped dead to the
ground.
He went to the theater and there fell
quarreling with the scholar Carvilaka
| about some verses which the latter as
cribed to Nisami. while Turiri claimed
that they were composed by Saadi.
Suddenly the scholar uttered Shrek
and expired The play which was
performed had great success and was
much applauded by the audience.
Hardly had Turiri made up his mind
| to join in the applause when the au-
thor of the play breathed his last
Turiri returned home, terrified at
what he had seen. and. thinking him
self the cause of all these murders. he
killed himself in despair by plunging
a dagger into his heart
During the same night died also
Maitrega. the ascetic.
Both appeared simultaneously before
| Ormuzd
The ascetic thought in his mind:
"HOw | shall rejoice to see this man
| judged according to his desert! This
man whose hypocrisy was almost as
much admired as my virtue as soon as
he had power to do what he liked
showed his true nature by committing
countless crimes
Ormuzd. however, turned smilingly
to Turiri and said:
"WelcOme. virtuous Turiri. You
were truly a good man and my faith
full servant Enter now into my eter-
nal peace"
That's a good joke" said the as
cetic. with a sneer
Never have | been more in earnest
than at this moment" replied Ormuzd
and, addressing again Turiri. spoke:
"You wished the destruction of your
wife because of her ungentleness and
LONELINESS; the destruction of the beg
gars because of their annoyance and
the repusive sight they offered: the
destruction of the cOurtesan because
of her fOolishness and insincerity: Of
the drivers and their horses for caus-
ing you an unnecessary delay; of the
scholar Carvilaka for disagreeing with
you; of the playwright for his being
more successful than you. All these
wishes were perfectly natural. The
murders with which you were charged
by Maitrega were. without your know
ing it, the effect of your first wish
that wish which no one is able to COM
mand. 1t is quite natural to hate all
that is disturbing and obstructing. and
it is just as natural to desire the de.
struction of what we hate Nature Is
egotistical. and the name of egotism
is destruction. Thus sin and crime
take root In the hearts of even the most
virtuous. and If mortals had the power
of realizing their first involuntary
wishes the earth would fast become
depopulated This. Turiri. | purpOsed
to show by your example. But judge
men after their second impulse only.
that impulse which alone is in their
power Without the mysterious gift
for which you did not ask and which
made your last day so murderous you
would have continued to lead benef-
cent existence. 1t is. therefore. not
your nature that | have to consider
but your will. which was good and
ever ready TO curb nature and to i'm.
prove any imperfect work. And fOI
this reason. my dear coworker. | open
to you the gates Of paradise"
$50 far. so good" said Maitrega. "but
what reward do you grant to meY'
'"The same" replied Ormuzd. al
though you only partly deserved it
You were a saint. but you were not a
human being unless so through youl
pride. You succeeded in sitting the
first impulse In your heart. but il al
: men would live like you mankind
would be even faster exterminated
than it could be through the fatal pow
er granted to my faithful servant Tu
riri Now. want mankind to exist, as
| find pleasure in its sight. which al
times is very beautiful. Even your ef
forts. miserable ascetic. were not en-
, tirely devoid of beauty. and therefore
; | pardon you your foolish error. Ant
, thus | receive Turiri into my bosom
, because am just, and you. Maitrega
because | am merciful."
But objected Maitrega.
: 81 have spoken" From
the French For Cleveland Plain Dealer
Roberts of Utah In the House.