The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-02-06
ESTABLISHED 1879.
a dagger into his heart.

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:
Glow / shall rejoice to see this man
judged according to his desertl 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 good man and my faith
full servant. Enter now into my eter-
nel peace"
"That's good joke" said the as.
cetic, with 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
CARS because of their annoyance and
the repulsive 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
1t 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 benefi-
cent existence. 1t is, therefore, not
your nature that I have to consider,
but your will. which was good and
ever ready to curb nature and to inn
prove any imperfect work. And for
this reason, my dear coworker, l open
to you the gates of paradise"
$50 far, so good,'' said Maitrega, ''but
what reward do you grant to meT'
''The same" replied Ormuzd, sal
though you only partly deserved it.
You were saint, but you were not a
human being unless so through your
pride. You succeeded In sitting the
first Impulse In your heart. but If all
men would live like you mankind
would be even faster exterminated
than it could be through the fatal pow
err granted to my faithful servant Tu-
riri. Now, l want mankind to exist, as
l find pleasure in it's sight, which at
times is very beautiful. Even your eff
forts, miserable ascetic, were not en-
tirely devoid of beauty, and therefore
l pardon you your foolish error. And
thus receive Turiri into my bosom.
because l am just, and you, Maitrega,
because | am merciful."
"But''- objected Maitrega.
II have oken."-Translated From
the French For Cleveland Plain Dealer.