Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-02-05
THE HERMIT
A Story illustrative OF the Ways
OF Heaven.
-.
BY voLTAIRE.

/ y
Zadig. He was handsome. rich ant
naturally good hearted. and at the mo
meut when this story opens he wai
travelling on foot 20 see the world anC
10 learn philosophy and wisdom. But
hitherto he had encountered 10 much
misery and endured so many terrible
disasters that he had become tempted
TO rebel against the will OF heaven and
10 believe that the Providence which
rules the world neglects the good and
lets the evil prosper. In this unhappy
spirit he was one day walking on the
banks of the Euphratcs when he chanc.
ed 20 meet a venerable hermit. whose
| snowy beard descended 10 his girdle
| and who carried IN hiss hand a scroll
| which he was reading with attention.
Zadg stopped and made him a long
| bow. The hermit returned the saluta-
ton with an air so kindly and so noble
that Zadig felt a curiosity 20 speak 10
him. He inquired what scroll was that
which he was reading.
1T Is the Book OF Destiny" replied
the hermit. Would you like TO read
~"
lie handed II 10 Zadlg. but the lat
ter. though he knew a dozen languages.
| could not understand word OF IL. His
curiosity increased.
'You appear 20 be In trouble" said
the kindly hermit.
ALAS" said Zadlg. Il have cause TO
be sou
'If you VIII allow me-" said the her
NIT, 81 viii accompany you. Perhaps
| may be useful 10 you. | am some
times able 10 console the sorrowful"
Zadig felt n deep respect for the ap-
pearance. the white beard and the mys-
terious scroll OF the old hermit and
perceived that his conversation was
that OF n superior mind. The old man
spoke OF destiny. OF Justice, OF moral
lty. OF the chief good OF life, OF human
frai.Iy. OF virtue and OF vice with 80
much power and eloquence that Zadig
felt himself attracted by n kind Of
charm and hcsought the hermit not 20
leave him until they should return 10
Babylon.
Il ask you the same favor" said the
hermit. Promise me that. whatever
may do, you keep me company for
several days"
ZadIg gave the promise. and they set
forth together.
That night the travellers arrived at a
grand mansion. The hermit begged Cor
food and lodging for himself and his
companion. The porter. who might
have been mistaken for n prince. usher.
ed them In with n contemptuous air OF
welcome. The chief servant showed
them the magnificent apartments. and
they were then admitted 10 the bot
tom OF the table, where the master %
the mansion did not condescend 10 cast
a glance at them. They were. however.
served with dellcacies In profusion and
after dinner washed their hands IN a
golden basin set with emeralds and
rubles. They were then conducted for
the night into a beautiful apartment.
and the next morning before they left
the castle a servant brought them each
n piece Of gold.
The master OF the house." said IA.
dig as they went their way. appears
10 be a generous man. although n trife
naughty. lie practices a noble hos
pitallty" As he spoke be perceived
that a kind Of large pouch which the
hermit carried appeared singularly dis
tended. Within 1t was the golden basin
set with precious stones which the old
man had purlolned. Zadlg was amaz-
ed. but he said nothing.
AT noon the hermit stopped before a
little house, IN which lived a wealthy
mlser, and once more asked FOR hos
pltallty. An old valet In a shabby coat
received them very rudely. showed
them into the stable and set before
them a few rotten olives. some moldy
bread and beer which had turned sour.
The hermit ate and drank with as
much content as he had shown the
night before; then, addressing the old
valet. who had kept his eye upon them
to make sure that they stole nothing,
be gave him the two pieces Of gold
which they had received that morning
and thanked him for his kind atten-
ton. "Be 50 good" he added, las to let
me see your master"
The astonlshed valet showed them in.
Most mighty slgnor." said the her
nit, Il can only render you my hum
bic thanks FOR the noble manner In
which you have received US. bcsccch
you 20 accept this golden basin as a
token OF my gratitude"
The mlser almost fell backward with
The hermit. without walt
ing for him TO recover. set OF with
speed with his companion.
Holy father" said Zadig. what
does all this mean? You seem TO me
to resemble other men IN nothing. You
steal a golden basin set with jewels
from q signor who receives you with
and you give Il 10 a cur.
mudgeon who treats you with indig-
nifty"
MY son." replied the hermit. "thls
mighty lord. who only welcomes tray.
elers through vanity and to display his
Will henceforth grow wiser.
while tho nlIepr will lac tnugbt ia nroc.