La Junta tribune., 1900-06-16
The First Impulse
An Eastern Story Of Two Men
Noted Fer the Good They
Did.
BY JULES LA MalTRE

TurIri was a wealthy citizen OF Bag
for his many virtues. In assisting the
poor with his money he was SO gen
erous that he had TO deprive himself OF
the luxurles of life. and the patience
with which he listened to the lanents
OF the suffering and chcered them with
kind words earned him the love and
admiration OF bis fellow citizens.
He bore With resignation all the pet
~ 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
inncrmost heart that all other human
beings might be his Interiors and yet
In his likeness.
lie was n faithful husband and this
In spite OF his wife being OF a quarrel
some nature. He bore with her III
temper aud seemed not to mind NJ all
that she was no longer young and
beautiful Finally his unscltishness
was SO great that. though himself the
author Of numerous poems and
dramas. he rcjoiced 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. ecn,iencss. loyalty.
unseliishness. and lie was considered
n saint-n cliivalrous saint.
In spite of MI this he showed n lack
OF that calm serenity which usually
Eliminates the face OF sanity per
sons. His features hnd 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 would
cast down his eyes. Was II TO collect
himself or TO avoid looking into .peo-
pies facesf No one could tell.
Now. there lived not far from Bag
dad an ascetic by the name OF Maitre
ga He wns miracle worker. and the
pious from all parts OF the world dock
ed to him to be helped by his prayers
Having renounccd the world and all It's
usages. Maiiregn had dug cave Into
the bank Of the river and become n
holy man. whose prayers were always
heard at the throne OF OrmuZd. VIII
his bony. hair covered arms uplifted 10
heaven he stool before his cave as un
wearicd as n tree stretching Its branch
es upward. so that the swallows. de.
ceived by his immobility. took Maitrc
ga for an old willow and built their
A.
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 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:
'.Turiri appears like an embodiment
OF Ormuzd. II he only hnd the power
to do what he likes. misery would sure
ly disappear from the earth"
MaitreGn's form became more rigid
II was apparent that the nscetic had
entered into communion with Ormuzd.
A few moments passed in silence. then
he said to the pilgrim:
CunnOt COuIptl oTuluLu 10 grant 10
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
at all occasions the first wish enter
tanned by Turiri shall be Immediately
realized"
"Ob." replied the pilgrim. this al
most amounts to the same. Turiri's
first wish NJ 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 Maitregs's beard been less I'M
penetrnbIe the pilgrim might have no
ticed m tronical smile gliding over his
petrffed lips. A moment later. how
ever the ascetic was again absorbed in
deep meditation.
And the pilgrim returned to the city
and rejolced in anticipation Of the be-
nrAcent~ miracles through which Turi-
RS power undoubtedly would become
uanifest-
The next morning Turiri on awaken
M hnpQrae6 to throw n glance upon
~ wlee. Who was still sIuu,berinS at