The Placer herald., 1873-12-13
HAROUN All KASCHID.
NOT ONE HAPPY WOMAN.

Inc renowned Calpn roOe one morning IN
very melancholy humor. He at once sum-
moned his Grand vizier, who hastened to
obey. He thus addressed his Premier:
81 feel very disconsolate; had dream
last night, when bel,eld all the women Of
my kingdom at the foot Of my throne, be-
seechng me to help them. Their griev-
ances were that they were unhappy, asking
me to remove their wretchedness, and |
must admit, it is true, that their lot is very
bard"
The Grand vizier replied:
"Sirc. assure you there is no ground for
their complaint. and that among all not one
would consent to exchange her condition"
IL am aware that my ministers are al
ways ready to deal in such phrases whenev-
er they are reproved, that the people and
their interests are neglected. But swear,
by Allah, l shall have you strangled if you
do not produce in the space Of one month
one happy woman. Do you hear? But one
single instance out of my whole kingdom.
1t is certainly demand Of no great hard
ship. And now you may 60 in peace, and
| shall expect your return after one month
But if you have not complied with my COM
mands, fear my wrath"
The Grand Vizier retired disheartened, as
you, my gentle readers, may well imagine.
He at once sought an interview with the
Bagdad police, frotn whom be obtained poor
comfort, who expressed serious doubt
whether one happy woman could be found
in Haroun al Kuschild's entire kingdom, nay
in the whole world Leaving him with a
heavy heart, the Premier undertook the
task himself, well knowing that his life was
ing, he commenced his inquiries with the
Sultana. Taken by surprise, she replied
"Do you expect me to be happy when the
Caliph scarcely devotes an hour to me, but
instead walks the street all night in disguise,
while must be filled with constant dread OF
his meeting with some accident at any time?
DO not think of it! The very poorest wo-
man is happier than am"
The Premier, cast down, left the palace.
when he met maiden, with blooming
cheeks, carrying water-vessel On her head.
and singing merrily as she went. He called
to her, saying:
cart thou happy?'
I'll happy2 Oh, no. am as handsome
as the Sultana, and should like to be in her
place. know would please the Caliph as
well, if lie would but direct his attention to-
ward me-"
Again defeated, he left her, cogitatng up
on new adventures. Suddenly he thought
Of his own wife, and asked her:
Are you happy?"
"Happy!" she answered. "with such a
| IL ,.ou1A ;nJoaI ho 1;AS.,lt nnIor-
taking"
He had already turned his back upon her,
and was about to try his fortune with some
other ladies of Bagdad. The farther be
went the less hopeful he was. Whenever
he inquired, nothing but complaints, the
same fatal result. Admitted that it was
rather reculiar idea to ask the ladies if
they were happy. Would they tell the
truth? The Grand Vizier thought so. In
his place would have seriously questioned
it. lie went to the market-place, and there
asked an honest woman, a vender Of dates.
In reply to his query whether she was hap
py, she said:
Happy? I happy? No, indeed! !
work from morning early till evening late
and scarcely make a living. am obliged to
rise early and retire late to my rest, not hav-
ing earned enough frequently to pay for a
scanty meal"
Fool that was, the minister concluded,
that should come here to look Tor happy
people, and quickly went to the house of u
rich Jewish banker. His wife certainly
must be happy, reflected the vizier. She is
comfortably situated. always clad in the
richest apparel, decked with the most costly
ewelry, and surrounded by slaves to do her
bidding. She knows neither care nor want.
"Alas." was the reply to the general
question, turning her handsome dark eyes
toward heaven. "Sire, am the most un-
happy of all women of Bagdad. My hus-
band loves naught but money and money
matters, leaving bis wife to her own sadness.
A wife is like unto flower, but to live and
flourish when supported by the majestic
palm-tree. but neglected and iorsaken, as
the wife is without love, che is made to
wither."
"By the Prophet, sone who loves her bus-
band with such ardor certainly deserves to
be happy. Where shall find the desired
person?"
The sigh had hardly escaped his breast
when, as if pursued, be ran in great haste
to the opposite part Of the city. There
dwet woman who had been married but
two months. He exclaimed:
II have found her, have found her,
and entered the house with joy.
"Hah to the happy woman. were his
words of greeting. making low bow to ths
young wife, and waiting with anxiety for her
answer.
Happy, I happy?" replied the bride.
shrngging her shoulders, "ol. no, no longer;
my husband gives me not moments peace.
He canno bear to leave me alone for AN In
stant. know he loves me, but he repeats
The story too often, and if pause does en-
sue lie thrreupon expects me to begin. He
swears some thousand times day that he