Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-02-05

and OF wisdom and who yet was hap
by and content. He had built thi
calm retreat 10 please himself. and b.
received the strangers I'm Il with ,
frankness which displayed no sign o.
ostentation. lie conducted them him
self 10 a comfortable chamber. wher'
he made them rest awhile; then he re
turned TO lead them 10 dainty littl,
supper. During their conversation
they agreed that the Affairs OF thl,
world are not always regulated by IN,
opinions Of the wlsest men. But the
hermit still maintained that the ways
og Providence are wrapped I'm mystery
and that men do wrong 10 pass judg
ment ON n universe OF which they only
see the smallest part. Zadlg wondered
how person who committed such mad
acts could reason so correctly.
At length. after n conversation,
agreeable ms instructive. the host : 4
Quoted the two travellers 90 their apaS|
ment aud thanked heaven for sending
him two visitors 80 wise and vlrtuous.
He offered them some money. but 80
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 warmcst
terms. and Zadlg above all was filled
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.
1--WE must be going" he remarked.
but while every one Is stlll asleep |
wish to leave this worthy man a pledge
OF my esteem" With these words he
took torch and set the house on fire.
Zadlg 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 a blaze. and the old man, who
was now a good way or with his COM
.panlon. looked back calmly at the
burning pile.
Heaven be praised" he cried, "our
kind hosts house Is destroyed from top
To bottom"'
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
d!d neither. Still subdued by the SUI
pcrior manner OF the hermit. he fol-
lowed him against his Will 10 their
next lodging.
This was the dwelling OF a good and
charitable widow. who had nephew
of fourteen. her only hope and JOY.
She did her best 10 use the travellers
well. and the next morning she babe
her nephew guide them safely past
certain bridge. which. having recently
been broken. had become dangerous TO
cross over. The youth, eager to oblige
them. led the way.
Come" said the hermit when they
were half across the bridge. Il must
show my gratitude toward your aunt"
As be spoke he seized the young man
By the hair and threw him Into the riy-
er. The youth fell. reappeared for an
instant on the surface and then was
swallowed by the torrent.
"Oh, monster exclaimed Zadig.
"Oh, most detestable u men
you promised me more patience
the old man. Listen! Be
meath the ruins OF that house which
saw ft 10 set on fire the
owner win discover an enormous treas
ure. while this young man. whose ex-
lstence Providence cut short. would
have killed BIS aunt within year. and
you yourself In two"
"Who told you So barbarian" cried
Zadig. "and even II you read the issue
In your Book OF Destiny who gave
you power TO drown a youth who never
Injured your
While be spoke he saw that the OLD
man had a beard no longer and that
bis face had become fair and young,
his hermits frock had disappeared.
four white wings covered his majestic
form and shone with dazzling luster.
angel OF heaven" cried Zadig you
are then descended from the skies 10
teach an errlng mortal to submit to the
eternal laws"
Men" replied the angel Jezrael.
Judge all things without knowledge. I.
and you, Of all men, most deserved TO /
be enlightened. The world imaglnes
that the youth who has just persisted
Tell by chance into the water and that
by n Ike chance the rich mans house
was set on FIRE. But there is no such
thing as chance; all Is trial or punish .
nent or foresight. Feeble mortal. cease .
10 argue and rebel against what you
ought 10 adorer ]
AS he spoke these words the angel .
took his flight 10 heaven, and Zadig
Tell upon his nees.-From the French. .
BOOK Borrowing.