Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-01-29

his query, whether she was happy, she
said: Happy? | happy? No, indeed
| work from morning early until evening
late, and scarcely make d living. | am
obliged to rise early and retire late to my
rest, not having earned enough frequently
to pay for scanty meal"
Fool that | was, the Minister conclud'
ed, that | should come here to look for a
happy people, and quickly went to the
wife of rich Jewish banker. She GER
tainly must be happy, reflected the Vizier,
she is comfortably situated, clad in the
richest of apparel, decked with the most
costly iewelry, 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 with longing toward heaven, "Sire,
| am the most unhappy OF all women OF
Bagdad. My husband loves naught but
money and money matters, leaving his
wife to her own sadness A wife is like
unto flower, but to live and flourish
when SUI ported by the majestic palm
tree, but, neglected and forsaken, as the
wife is without love, she is made to
wither.n
"By the Prophet, one who loves her
husband with such ardor certainly de-
serves to be happy. Where shall | find
the desired person."
The sigh had hardly escaped his breast
when, as if pursued, he ran to the opposite
part of the city There dwelt woman
who had been married but two months
ago. He exclaimed, II have found her,
| have found herr" and entered the house
with joy.
Hail to the happy womanw were his
words of greeting, making low bow to
the young wife ana waiting with anxiety
for an answer.
"Happy-I happy ?" replied the young
bride, Struggling her shoulders. ooh, no,
no longer; my husband gives me not a
moments 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 de-
SPAR. He abandoned his search in the
capital, and was now determined to try
the country. But despite of his zeal, he
there, too, did not succeed-could not dis
cover the precious pearl demanded by the
Calph Besides, the time allotted was
nearly at an end, and he had but one vii
lage more to explore. When about enter
ing it, he observed peasant and his wife
in the field The latter was crying aloud
because her husband had struck her. The
Vizicr separated them, and said to the
man, at is not right that we should rem
der our wives lives miserable"
81 miserable, | unhappy" exclaimed
the woman; ION the contrary, | am very
happy"
'But did not see your husband strike
your
"True, he does strike me at times, but i
matters not; he is able, also, to protect mt
with strong arm"
''Then you admit you know what ii is t
be happy"
Most certainly | am perfectly happy
The Grand Vizier, now relieved of his
heavy burden, exclaimed: "Finally
finally, | have found one happy woman :
and he triumphantly took her to Bagdad
| Appear III WIN his 'oi'b liSoN b'ioiS YIN
Caliph, the latter said: "Well, you hay,
found happy woman?'
eyes indeed, Sire"
"Oh, mighty Caliph,' exclaimed The
PEASANTS wife, at his feet, ''have mercy
| upon me, miserable"
"What is thatn The Grand Viziel
became frightened, saying, did you no
tell me that you were happy"
Eyes, at home with my husband anc
| children, from whom you have torn me
away. How is it possible that SHOULD
be happy at this place, so far away from
| them?"
"Bc at ease" Haroun al Raschd ad
| dressed his Premier, with malicious
smile on his countenance, II pardon you
for during your absence, have discover
ed a happy woman even here in Bagdad,'
Opening his eyes widely, the Niziel
asked, Here in Bagdad?"
yes; your own wife. / sent page t.
ask her, in my name, whether she was
happy"
| "And what did she answer"
| "She answered "Of course | am happy
my husband being on a journey. ~
! Translated for pie 50. L0uis GJobe.
/ \