The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-02-06
The First Impulse
An Eastern Story of Two Hen
Noted For the Good They
Did.
BY JULES LA MAITRE.

Turiri was a wealthy citizen of Bag
dad who was far and wide renowned
for his many virtues. In assisting the
poor with his money he was SO gen.
erous that he had to deprive himself of
the luXuries of life, and the patience
with which be listened to the laments
Of the suffering and cheered them with
kind words earned him the love and
admiration of his fellow citizens.
He 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, rare and diff
cult virtue indeed, for there is no
human being who does not wish In his
innermoSt heart that all other human
beings might be his interiors and yet
In his likeness.
He was faithful husband, and this
in spite of his wife being of quarrel
some nature. He bore with her III
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. gentleness. loyalty
| unselfishness. and he was considered
a saint-a chivalrous saint.
In spite of all this he showed lacl
of that calm serenity which usually
| illuminates the face of sanity per
sons. His features had the suffering
expression of one who has fallen {
prey of wild passions or secret sor
rows, and frequently, in the very mo
| ment of doing some kind act. he woult
cast down his eyes. Was it to collec
himself or to avoid looking into peo
pies faces? No one could tell
Now, there lived not far from Bag
dad an ascetic by the name of Maitre
ga. He was q miracle worker, and tn
pious from all parts of the world flock
ed to him to be helped by his prayers
Having rcnounced the world and all it
psages, Maitrega had dug cave int
the bank of the river and become
holy man, whose prayers were alway
heard at the throne of OrmuZd. Wit
his bony, hair covered arms uplifted t
heaven he stood before his cave as ur
wearied as tree stretching its branch
es upward, so that the swallows, dc
ceived by his immoblity, took Maitrt
ga for ain old willow and built thei
nests on his shoulders. His face wa
tanned brown by the sun and wa
black with dirt, and his long beard an
tangled hair blew about him like til
parts of an old castle ruin. And so b
had lived for many years, for such ha
, been his will.
One day he overheard a pilgrim sa.
ing:
''Turiri appears like an embodimeI
of Ormuzd. If he only had the powt
. to do what he likes, misery would sur
ly disappear from the EARTH"
Maitrega's form became more rigi
1t was apparent that the ascetic ha
entered into communion with Ormuz
A few moments passed In silence, the
he said to the pilgrim:
81 cannot compel OrmuZd to grant
Turiri the power to do everything
wishes, for in that event he would
, equal to God. Ormuzd has, howeve
granted that beginning from tomorro
l. at all occasions the first wish ente
tanned by Turiri shall be immediate
realized"
q "Oh," replied the pilgrim. this {
most amounts to the same. Turr
first wish at whatever occasion will
like all his other wishes. always ge
IS erous and good. You have announce
to me, reverend sir. the happiness
countless human beings. Accept L
best thanks"
Had Maitrega's beard been less il
penetrable the pilgrim might have I
ticed an ironical smile gliding over
I petrified lips, A moment later. ho
, ever. the ascetic was again absorbed
deep meditation.
And the pilgrim returned to the CT
and rejoiced In anticipation Of the
neficent miracles through which Tu
he ri's power undoubtedly would becol
manifest.
The Lsxt morning Turiri on awake
NJ ing happened to throw a glance up
~ his wife, who was still slumbering