El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-13
The First Impulse
An Eastern Story of Two Men
Noted For the Good They
Did.
BY JULES LA MAITRE

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Turiri was Il 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 he 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, n 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 a faithful husband, and this
in spite of his wife being of quarrel
some nature. He bore with her ill
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
SANTA chivalrouS saint.
In spite of all this he showed lack
of that calm serenity which usually
Eliminates the face of sanity per-
sons. His features had the suffering
expression of one who has fallen
prey of wild passions secret sor-
rows, and frequently. in the very mo-
ment of doing some kind act, he would
east down his eyes. Was it to collect
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 n miracle worker, and the
pious from all parts of the world flock
ed to him to be helped by his prayers.
Having renowned the world and all its
usa ges, Maitrega had dug Il cave into
the bank of the river and become
heard al the throne of Ormuzd. With
his bony, hair covered arms uplifted to
heaven he stood before his cave as IN
wearied as a tree stretching its branch
es upward, so that the swallows, de-
ceived by his immobility, took Maitre-
ga for an old willow and built their
nests on his shoulders. His face was
tanned brown by the sun and was
ir+ ri
tangled hair blew about him like the
wind beaten grass blades on the ram
parts 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:
of Ormuzd. If he only had the power
TO do what he likes, misery would sure
~ disappear from the EARTH
Maitrega'S form became more rigid.
1t was apparent that the ascetic had
entered into communion with OrmuZd.
A few moments passed in silence, then
he said to the pilgrim:
81 cannot compel Ormuzd to grant to
Turiri the power to do everything he
wishes, for in that event he would be
equal to God. Ormuzd has. however.
granted that beginning from tomorrow
ut all occasions the first wish enter
tanned by Turiri shall be Immediately
realized"
"Oh," replied the pilgrim, ''this al
most amounts to the same. Turiri's
first wish at whatever occasion will be
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 ironical smile gliding over his
petrified 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 be-
neficent miracles through which Turf
rps power undoubtedly would become
manifest.
The next morning Turiri on awaken
ing happened to throw a glance upon
his wife. who was still slumbering at