The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-02-07

...~..s vu a universe OF which they only
see the smallest part. zadig wondered
how a person who committed such mad
acts could reason SO correctly.
| At length, after conversation as
agreeable as instructive. the host con-
Quoted the two travellers to their apart
ment and thanked heaven for sending
him two visitors so wise and virtuous.
| He offered them some money, but SO
frankly that they could not feel offend
ed. The old man declined and desired
to say farewell, as he intended to de-
part for Babylon at break Of day.
They therefore parted on the warmest
| terms, and Zadig above all was filed
with kindly feelings toward so anna
| BILE man.
When the hermit and himself were
In their chamber, they spent some time
| In praises Of their host. At break of
day the old man woke his comrade.
eve must be going" he remarked.
gBut while every one is still asleep !
wish to leave this worthy man pledge
of my esteem" With these words he
took a torch and set the house on fire.
| Zadig burst forth into cries of hor-
ror and would have stopped the fright
| ful act, but the hermit by superior
| strength drew him away. The house
| was In blaze, and the old man, who
was now good way OF with his COM
panion. looked back calmly at the
burning pile.
| sHeayen be praised" he cried, "our
kind hosts house Is destroyed from top
\ to bottomw
| At these words Zadig knew not
whether he should burst out laughing,
call the reverend father an old rascal.
knock him down or run away. But he
did neither. Still subdued by the SUI
perior manner of the hermit, he fol-
lowed him against his viii to their
next lodging.
This was the dwelling of good and
charitable widow, who had nephew
of fourteen, her only hope and joy.
She did her best to use the travellers
well. and the next morning she bade
her nephew guide them safely past a
certain bridge, which, having recently
been broken, had become dangerous to
cross over. The youth, eager to obhge
| them, led the way.
"Come," said the hermit when they
were half across the bridge, Il must
show my gratitude toward your aunt
AS he spoke he seized the Young man
by the hair and threw him into the riv-
or. The youth fell, reappeared for an
instant on the surface and then was
swallowed by the torrent.
"Oh, monsterr' exclaimed Zadig
"Oh, most detestable Of mem
"You promised me more patience
Interrupted tho old man. "Listen! Be
meath the ruins of that house which
Providence saw fit to set on fire the
owner will discover an enormous treas
ure, while this young man, whose ex.
istence Providence cut short. would
have killed his aunt within year, and
you yourself In two"
"Who told you SO, barbariany' cried
Zadig, "and even If you read the issue
in your Book Of Destiny who gave
you power to drown youth who never
AuJuIcu yOus
While he spoke he saw that the ole
man had beard no longer and thai
his face had become fair and young
his hermit's frock had disappeared
four white wings covered his majestic
form and shone with dazzling luster.
"Angel of heaven" cried zadig, "yot
are then descended from the skies Il
teach an erring mortal to submit to The
eternal laws"
s.Men," replied the angel Jezrael
"judge all things without knowledge
and you, OF all men, most deserved te
be enlightened. The world imaginei
that the youth who has just persisted
fell by chance into the water and thai
by like chance the rich mans house
was set on fire. But there is no such
thing as chance; all is trial or punish
ment or foresight. Feeble mortal, cease
to argue and rebel against what yor
| ought to adore!
AS he spoke these words the ange
| took his flight to heaven, and Zadia
fell upon his knees.-From the French
nnorr nnrroxvimu.