Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-12-12
U.fROUyv' 81 R.ssCHID.
THE THOUSAND AND SECOND TALE.

summoned his Grand Nizier, VINO hasten-
ed to obey. He thus addressed his Prem
ier;
"I feel very disconsolate had dream,
last night when beheld all the women of
my kingdom at the foot of my throne, be-
seeching me TO help them. Their grlevanc-
es were that they were unhappy, asking
me to remove their wretchedness and l
must admit, II Is true, their lot is very
hard.'
The Grand Vizier replied: "Sire, 1 as
sure you that there Is no ground for their
complaint, and that among all not one
would consent to exchange her condition"
II am aware that my Ministers are al
ways ready TO deal In such phrases, when
ever they are reproved, that the people and
their interests 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 hearf but one
single instance out of my whole kingdom.
1t is certainly, demand of no great hard
ship. And now you may go in peace, and
/ shall expect your return after one month.
But, If you have not complied with my
commands by that time, fear my wrath"
The Grand Vizer retired dishearlened,
as you, my gentle readers, may well i'm
agine. He at once sought an interview
with the President of the Bagdad police,
from whom he obtained poor comfort, who
expressed a serious doubt whether one
happy woman could he found in Haroun
al Raschlds 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 at
stake. AS a man of cute understanding,
he commenced his inquiries with the Sui
tana. 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 streets all night in dis
guise, while I 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 I am"
The Premier, cast down, left the palace,
when he met a maiden with blooming
cheeks, carrying a water vessel on her head,
and singing merrly as she went. He call
ed to her, saying, "Art thou happy?" 81
happy. Oh, no ! am as handsome as the
Sultana, and should like to be in her place.
know I would please the Caliph as well,
if he would but direct his attention toward
me-"
Again defeated, he left her, cogitating up
on new adventures. Suddenly he thought
of his own wife, and asked her. "Are you
happy?" "Happy! she answered, with
such man it would, indeed be a diff
cult undertaking."
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 COM
plants, the same fatal result. Admitted,
| that 1t was rather a peculiar idea to ask the
ladies whether they are happy. Would
they tell the truthf The Grand Vizier
| thought so. In hi, place would have Sc
riously que:tioned it. He went to the
market place, and there asked an honest
| woman, n vender OF dates. In reply to his
| query, whether she was happy, she said /:
"Happy' happyi No indeed! I work
from morning early until evening late and
scarcely make a living. I am Obliged to
/
having earned enough frequently to pay
for scanty meal"
Fool that l was the Minister concluded,
that should come here 10 look for q hap
pv people, and quickly went to the house
of rich Jewish banker. She certainly
must be happy, reflt cted the Vizier; she is
comfortably situated, clad in the richest
OF apparel. decked with the most costly
jewelry and surrounded by slaves 10 do her
bidding. She knows neither care nor want,
"Alasr' was the reply to the general
question, turning her handsome dark eyes
with longing toward heaven. "Sire, l an,
the most unhappy of all women in Bagdad
My husband loves naught hut money and
money matters, leaving his wife to hei
own sadness. A wife is like unto flower
but to live and flourish 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. Where shall find tho desired
person2"
The sigh had hardly escaped his breas
when, as if pursued, he ran in great hast,
to The opposite part of the city. Their
dwelt woman who had been married bu
two months ago. He exclaimed, "I hav
found her, have found her." and entered
the house with joy.
Hail 10 the happy woman," were hi
words Of greeting, making low bow to tn
young wife, and waiting with anxiety 70
an answer.
"Happy, happyf" replied the youn
bride, struggling her shoulders. "Oh, nc
no longer! My husband gives me not
moments peace. He cannot bear to leav
mo alone for an instant. l know he love
me, but he repeats the story too often, an
If a pause does ensue he thereupon expect
me to begin. He swears some thousan
times a day that ho loves me, yea, he seal
it with the most awful oaths, and seem
not to be satisfied until join with him /
a like strain. At first, this little game wa
quite pleasant, but now"
The ill-faled Minister now began 10 de
, spsir. He abandoned his search in the car
ilal, and was now determined to try the cour
try. But despite OF his zeal, he there to,
! did not succeed-could not discover III
precious pearl demanded by the Calipl
Besides, the time allotted was nearly at a
end, and he had but one village more
explore. When about entering it, he oil
served a peasant and his wife in the fell
: The latter was crying aloud because HI
: husband had struck her. The Vizier sci
arated them, and said to the man, at
) not right that we should render our wivc
a lives miserable
f "I miserable ! 1 unhappy r. exclaine
: the woman; ION the contrary, am ver
: happy"