Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-12-11
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HAROUN AL RASCHID.
HOW THE GRAND vIZIER SOUGHT FOR a HAPPY
WOMAN.

WOMAN.
The renowned Caliph rose one morning in
| very melancholy humor. He at once sum-
moned his Grand Vizier, who fastened to obey.
He thus addressed his Premier:
II feel very disconsolate; | had dream
last night, when I beheld all the women of
nv kingdom at the foot of my throne, beseech-
ing me to help them. Their grievances were
that they were unhappy, asking me to remove
their wretchedness; and must admit, it is
true, their lot is very hard
The Grand Vizier replied: "Sire, | assure
YOU that there is no ground for their COM
plant, and that among all not one would con-
sent to exchange her condition"
81 am aware that my ministers are always
ready to deal in such phrases, whenever they
are reproved, that the people and their inter
ests are neglected. But, swear by Allah, [
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 hardship. And now you may 60
in peace, and l shall expect your return after
one month. But, if you have not complied
with my commands by that time, fear my
wrath"
The Grand Vizier retired disheartened, as
you, my gentle readers, may we'll imagine.
He at once sought an interview with the pres
ident of the Bagdad police, from whom he
obtained poor comfort, who expressed serious
doubt whether if one happy woman could be
found in Haroun al Raschid's entire king
dom-nay, in the whole world. Leaving
him with heavy heart, the Premier under
took the task himself we'll knowing that his
life was at stake. As man of cute under
standing 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
instea walks the streets all night in disguise,
whilst must be filled with constant dread of
his meeting with some accident at any time?
Do not think of it! The very poorest woman
is happier than l am"
The Premier, cast down, left the palace,
when he met maiden with blooming cheeks,
carrying a water vessel on her head, and sing
ing merriIy as she went. He called to her,
saying, cart thou happy?" 81 happy ?
Oh, no l am as handsome as the Sultana,
and should like to be in her place. | know l
would please the Caliph as we'll, if he would
but direct his attention toward me"
Again defeated, he left her, cogitating upon
new adventures Suddenl y he thought of his
own wife, and asked her "Are you happy p
"Happy" she answered, with such man :;
it would, indeed, by difficult understanding.
He had already turned his back upon her,
and was about to try his fortune with some
other ladies of Bagdad. When the farther
he went the less hopeful he was Whenever
he inquired, nothing but complaints; the same
fatal result. Admitted, that it was rather a
peculiar idea to ask the ladies whether they
arc happy. Would they tell the truth? The
Grand Vizier thought SO. In his place, l
would have seriously questioned it. He went
to the market place, and there asked an hon.
est woman, vender of dates. In reply to
his query, whether she was happy, he said :
"Happy? happy? No, indeed l work
from morning early until evening late, and
scarcely make living. ] am obliged to rise
early and retire late to my rest, not having
earned enough frequently to pay for scanty
meal"
Fool that I was, the minister concluded,
that should come here to look for happy
people, and quickly went to the house of a
rich Jewish banker. She certainly must be
happy, reflected the Vizicr; sheis comfortably
situated, clad in the richest of apparel, decked
with the most costly jewelry and surrounded
by servants to do her bidding. She knows
neither care nor want.
"Alas" " was the reply to the general ques'
ton, turning her handsome dark eyes with
longing toward Heaven, "Sir, am the most
unhappy of all women in Bagdad. My hus'
band loves naught but money and money mat
tcrs, leaving his wife to her own sadness. A
wife is like unto flower, but to live and -four
ish when supported by the majestic palm tree;
but neglected and forsaken, as the wife is
without love, she is made to wither."
"By the Prophet, one who loves her hus'
band with such ardor, certainly deserves to
be happy y, Where shall l find the desired
person p
The sigh had hardly escaped his breast
when, as if pursued, he ran in great haste to
the opposite part of the city, There dwclt a
woman who had been married but two months
ago. He exclaimed, 81 have found her. I have
found her." and entered the house with joy.
"Hail to the happy woman" were his words
of greeting, making a low bow to the young
wife, and waiting with anxiety for an an.
swer.
"Happy, 1 happy ?" replied the young
bride, Struggling her shoulders "Oh no, no
longer! My husband gives me not mo-
ment's peace. He cannot bear to leave me
alone for an instant know he loves me, but
he repeats the story too often, and if a pause
does ensue, he thereupon expects me to begin.
He swears some thousand times day that he
loves me, yea, he seals it with the most awful
oaths, and seems not to be satisfied until join
with him in like strain. At FIRST this little
game was quite pleasant, but now"
The Inflated minister now began to despair.
He abandoned his search in the capital, and
was now determined to try the country. But
in spite of his zeal he there, too, did not sue
cced could not discover the precious pearl
demanded by the Caliph. Besides, the time
allotted was nearly at an end, and he had but
one village more to explore. When about
entering it, he observed peasant and his
wife in the field The latter was crying aloud
because her husband had struck her. The
Nizier separated them and said to the man,
"It is not right that we should render our
wives lives miserable"
81 miserable l unhappy| exclaimed the
woman "on the contrary, l am very happy"
"But did l not see your husband strike
you ?" :,
"True he does strike me at times, but it
matters not he is able, also, to protect me
with strong arm"
"Then you admit you know what it is to be
happy?" -,
! "Niost certainly am perfectly happy"
! The Grand Nizier now relieved Of his heavy