The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-16

Copyright, 1901, by Daily Story Pub. Co.
Benjamin Dawson, f. r. s., little, bald
and gray, sat in his study reading the
life of Siddartha, Guatama Buddha, the
Enlightened One Benjamin was very
much interested in the poverty of the
world, and had for long time been in
search of 1.-The Cause of Human Misery. ;"
Picture, then, his satisfaction when read
ing of this lion of the tribe of Sakyas
he found that he, too, had long pondered
in rapt meditation upon the ills of man
kind. Here was where Benjamin and
Buddha met upon common ground. The
Great Buddha had enjoined upon his fol-
lowers a. strict adherence to the rule
which commands them mot to kill or in
jure any living thing, no matter how
Iowly."
"Great and wise one" said he GLOW
noble! how beneficent! Ever shall 1
strive to live up to thy merciful rule. )"
Benjamin paused and, sad to say, the up
lifted look quickly merged into one of ir-
ritation. "Har said he, there is a
peculiar tingling sensation in my left ell
bowl fear, yes, 1 know-it is the bite
of the pulex irritans, order Aphaniptera,
in vulgar phrase, the common flea"
He made few futile dabs and snatches
and then, more to his CONSERVATION than
was dilemmai Should he eXterminate
pulex irritans or obeying the kindly law
of Guatama release his tormentor? With
the flea firmly grapsed between his thumb
and forefnger he walked his study floor
trying to decide the fate Of the tiny cul-
prit AT last the teachings of the In
dian prophet triumphed over personal ami
mus, and Benjamin fastened from the
room.
The peaceful beauty Of May night as
seer from the open door still further
softened the philosopher, and when a
pudgy poodle trotted into view an almost
holy calm descended upon the spirit of
Benjamin. This was a solution of his
difficulty. elbow providential,'' said he
for like most philosophers Benjamin could
see the hand of Providence in whatever
tended to shift disagreeable burden or
duty on to other shoulders than his own
The philosophers features usually ex-
pressed lofty, not to say scornful, calm,
but at the sight of the poodle he allowed
an ingratiating smile to tighten his feat
ures, and i'll accents deceitfully cheerful
he said, Mice doggie, good doggie, fine
fellow, and then to himself, approach
ana allow yourself to be used to demon
strate theory and uphold a great and
wise law"
With the majesty due to the perform
ance of a holy rite Benjamin placed the
flea on the poodle's back and then, much
to that animals surprise and disgust
motioned him away to continue on his
homeward way.
The philosopher now re-entered the
house with that tranquility of spirit
which ever accompanied the accomplish
ment of good deed and the poodle
richer in sad experience trotted home
ward
The residence of Mr.. Hiram Symes
stood but a short distance from the home
of the philosopher. 1t was a peaceful
looking abode, surrounded by wide lawns
and shaded by fine old copper beeches.
Hiram Symes having married a woman
of the type known as superior had
chastened and melancholy air, and
seemed to live only that he might pro-
vide for his family and offer a foil to his
wife's force of character.
Alice Symes, the daughter, was a slen-
der, dark girl, with sweet, unfathomable
eyes. Tom, the son, inherited the firm
ness and dogmatic temperament Of his