Montgomery County sentinel., 1874-02-06

am as handsome as the Sultana, and
+ should like to be in her place. know
| would please the Caliph as well. if he
would but direct his attention toward
me"
Again defeated, be left her, cogitating
upon new adventures. Suddenly he
thought of his own wife, and asked her
Are you happy y Happy" she an
swered, with such man; it would in
deed be difficult 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 hope
fui he was. Wherever he inquired moth
ing but compaints-the same fatal re-
suit. Admitted that it was rather pc
culiar idea to ask the ladies whether they
are happy Would they tell the truth :
The Grand Vizicr thought so. In his
| place would have seriously questioned.
| He went to the market place, and there
asked an honest woman, vender Of
dates. In reply to his query, whether
she was happy: Happy? ! happy No,
indeed ! | work from morning early un-
til evening late and scarcely make liv-
ing. | am obliged to rise early and re-
tire 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
happy people, and quickly went to the
house of rich Jewish banker. She Ger
tainly must be happy, reflected the Vi
zier, she is comfortably situated, clad in
the richest apparel, decked with the most
costly jewelry, and surrounded by slaves
to do her bidding. She knows neither
care nor want.
"Alas p was the reply to the general
| question, turning her handsome eyes
with longing toward heaven. '.Sire, |
am the most unhappy of all women in
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 to flourish
when supported by the majestic palm
tree, but, neglected and forsalxcn as the
wife is without love, she is made to
| wither"
"By the Prophet, one who loves her
husband with such ardor certainly de-
serves to be happy Where shall ! find
the desired person p
The sigh had hardly escaped his breast
when, as if pursued, he ran in great
haste to the opposite side of the city
There dwelt woman who had been mar
ried but two months ago. He exclaimed,
II have found her, / have found her, .
and entered the house with joy.
Hail to the happy woman, were his
words Of greeting, making low bow to
the wife, and waiting with anxiety for an
answer
"Happy. I happy?" replicd.the young
bride, Struggling her shoulders. "Oh,
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 pause does ensue, he there
upon expects me to begin. He swears
some thousand times day that he loves
me, yes, he seals it with the most awful
oaths, and seems not to be satisfied until
I Join with him in like strain. At first
this little game was quite pleasant, but
now"
The ill-fatcd minister now began to
despair. 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
discover the precious pearl demanded by
the Caliph. Besides, the time allotted
was nearly at an end, and he bad but
one village more to explore. When about
entering it, he observed peasant and
bis wife in the field. The latter was cry
ing aloud because her husband had struck
her. The Vizier separated them and said
to the man, ut is not right that we
should render our wives lives miserable"
Il miserable, ! unhappy" the woman
exclaimed, ION the contrary, am very
happy"
"But did not sec your husband
strike you 2"
True, he does strike me at times, but
it matters not; he is able. also, to pro-
tect me with strong arm"
"Thcn you admit to know what it is
to be happy?"
"Most certainly; I am perfectly hap
py."
The Grand Vizier, now relieved Of his
heavy burden. exclaimed F: Finally,
finally. have found one happy woman =
and he triumphantly took her to Bagdad
Appearing with his conquest before
the Caliph, the latter said: "Wcll, you
have found happy woman 7"
''Yes, indeed, Sire"
| ooh, mighty Caliph." !" exclaimed the
peasants wife, at his feet, ''have mercy
upon me, miserable
"Wbat is that?' the Grand Vizier
became frightened, saying, "Did you not
tell me that you were happy 2"
Eyes, at home with my husband and
children. from whom you have torn me
away How is it possible that should
be happy at this place so far away from
them ?"
BE at ease" Haroun al Raschid adj
dressed bis Premier, with malicious
smile on his countenance, Il pardon
J you; for, during your absence have
discovered happy woman even here II
Bagdad"
} Opening his eyes widely. the Vizier
asked. .'Here in Bagdad." "
"Yes, your own wife. sent pag'
to ask her, in my name, whether she wa