Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-03-16

grlS rlUer by the TURKS, WGS 1tSeG
By VoJtaire as the scene of has great
philosophical romance 'ZGdig." The
story told here portrays Zadig IN a
role strikingzy like that played By
Conan DoyLe's "SherIOck Holmes"
or Poe's IN. Dupin" IN modern lit
erGtore.
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 a 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 ne strolled in grove
near his home, troop of officials and
slaves ran up to him and asked: "Have
you seen the queens dog?"
"Was it a small dog?" asked Zadig.
eff so, such dog has passed here. 1t
had beautiful long ears and it limped
slightly with the right forefoot."
| Lnu ~ ~ cd tbn
leader, delighted.
mo" said Zadig. 81 have not seen
1t. In fact, l did not even know until
this moment that the queen owns
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 it 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 it's
tail at least four and one-half feet
long?"
"Yes! Yesw said the master Of
horse eagerly. "In which direction
did it run? Where is it now?'
81 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 at
each other for a moment. Then with
out word they pounced on Zadig
with: "Thief! You shall learn what
1t means to trifle 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 so
convincing that the council did not per-
nit Zadig to speak, but sentenced him
at once to Imprisonment for life.
Just as he was being led away, beg
ging vainly for leave to say word in
defense, messengers arrived with the
news that the missing animals had
been found. The council perceived the
painful necessity Of resembling its SEN
tence; but 1t felt justified in filming
Zadig 400 ounces of gold for asserting
that he had not seen something when
he had already admitted that he had
seen 1t.
Again Zadig asked for permission to
| Daolyn nj Will no hut he
judges decided after earnest consulta-
ton that the fine must be paid first
after which he might address the
court.
Zadig sent for the gold and paid II
over with many sigh. Then he bowed
low and said:
"Oh, stars Of justice, abysses Of wis
dom, mirrors of truth Since it is per-
mitted that l speak before your illus
trious gathering, hear me while swear
hold the honored dog of our gracious
queen nor the sublime horse of the
king Of kings! Listen, Oh We pillars of
charity and tolerance! l was strolling
In the grove when observed the trail
left by smaN animal in the sand
Having trained myself to study nature
infinitely, knew at once that it was
the track of dog, and from the size
and depth of the indentations 1 de-
duced that it was small one. Tiny
marks along both sides of the line OF
footprints indicated to me that the ami
NAL had very long ears, for they hung
so low as to brush the ground.
ut was an easy matter, Oh merciful
ones, to discover that the respected
dog Of our most mighty queen limped
with one foot, if one may venture to
utter remark so disrespectful.
GAS to the noble horse of the king OF
kings" continued Zadig, 81 saw the
footprints of a steed, and knew al
once that it was of purest blood, fol-
no other would have had hoofs sc
small and dainty. The imprints told
me, also, as they would tell anyone
who knows horses, that it had a mag
nificent stride and that its gait was OF
the best, BETTING its birth.