The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-03-31

Babylonio's ancient land, trhere q
British army wGs besieged on the IT,
girls river By the Turks, was used
By VoItaire as the scene Of has great
philosophical romance "Zadtg." The
story told here portrays Zadtg in q
role strikingIy like that played by
Conan Doyle,s "SherEock Holmes"
or Poe,s IN. Dupin" in modern lit
erature.
In the days of King Moabdur OF
Babylonia there dwelt in the city of
Babylon a rich man named Zadig. Tai
ented, accomplished, handsome and
healthy, he still was unhappy. He had
been disappointed more than once in
friendship and finally most sorely in
love. Convinced that destiny lies in
wait for the ambitious and distin-
guished, he withdrew to simple coun-
try home on the Euphrates river.
Being resolved not to tempt fate. he
looked about for an occupation that
promised the least possible entangle-
ment with the ways Of providence, and
decided upon the study Of nature.
One day as he strolled in a grove
near his home, troop Of officials and
slaves ran up to him and asked: "Have
you seen the queens dog"
"Was 1t q small dog" asked Zadig.
'If so, such a dog has passed here. 1t
had beautiful long ears and 1t limped
slightly with the right forefoot."
"Then you have seen It'll" cried the
leader, delighted.
"No," said Zadig. 81 have not seen
It. In fact, I did not even know until
this moment that the queen owns a
dog"
Before the astounded man could re-
ply, another party of officers and serv-
ants appeared, exclaiming breathlessly
that the kings finest horse had strayed.
"Was 1t bitted with gold?" asked Ia
dig. "a horse thus bitted, and shod
with silver, galloped through here. 1t
had a magnificent stride and gait, and
was Of the purest blood. Was not its
tail at least four and one-haf feet
long"
ayes! Yes!" said the master OF
horse eagerly. "In which direction
did it run? Where is it nowT'
st have not seen it," answered Ia.
dig. "This is the first time that
knew the king had such horse"
The men of both parties stared al
each other for a moment. Then with
out a word they pounced on Zadie
with: "Thief! You shall learn what
it means to trife with the property Of
your ruler!"
The slaves hustled him to the city
of Babylon, not without presenting him
with many undesired bruises. He was
| led at once before the chief council
and charged with having stolen the
dog and the horse of the royal family
The tale told by the officers was 81
convincing that the council did not per
NIT Zadig to speak, but sentenced hin
at once to Imprisonment for life.
Just as he was being led away, beg
ging vainly for leave to say word IL
defense, messengers arrived with thu
news that the missing animals hat
been found. The council perceived thu
painful necessity Of resembling its sen
tence; but it felt justified in finini
Zadig 400 ounces of gold for assertin,
that he had not seen something wheel
he had already admitted that he hat
seen it.
Again Zadig asked for permission t.
make trifiing explanation, but tn
judges decided after earnest consuita
ton that the fine must be paid first
after which he might address tn
court.
Zadig sent for the gold and paid |
over with many q sigh. Then he bowe'
low and said:
"Oh, stars of justice, abysses of wis
dom, mirrors Of truth! Since it is pei
mitted that I speak before your illus
trious gathering, hear me while swea
by Ormuzd that never did my eyes be
hold the honored dog Of our graciou
queen nor the sublime horse OF tn
king of kingsI Listen, oh We pillars o
charity and tolerancel I was strollin
in the grove when I observed the trai
left by a small animal in the sane
Having trained myself to study natur
infinitely, I knew at once that it wa
the track of dog, and from the siz
and depth Of the indentations l az
duced that it was small one. Tin
marks along both sides Of the line
footprints indicated to me that the an
NAL had very long ears, for they hun
so low as to brush the ground.
att was an easy matter, Oh mercifr
ones, to discover that the respecte
dog of our most mighty queen hmpe
with one foot, If one may venture I
utter remark so disrespectful.
"As to the noble horse of the king c
kings" continued Zadig, II saw tn
footprints OF steed, and l knew Q
once that it was of purest blood, fo
no other would have had hcofs S
small and dainty. The imprints toll
me, also, as they would tell anyon
who knows horses, that it had ma;
nificent stride and that Its gait was
4 =