Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-04-08
Haronn al RasehId.
NOT ONE aArrr WOMAN IN ALL MS KINGDOM.


The renowned Caiph rose one morning
in a very melancholy bumor. lie at once
summoned his Grand Vizier, who hastened
to obey. He thus addressed his Premier :
OF feel very dscousolatei | had dream
last night when beheld all the women Of
my kingdom at the foot Of my throne, be.
seeching me to help them. Theh griev-
ancos we're that they were unhappy, ask.
ing me to remove their wretchedncss and
| must admit, It is true, their lot is very
hard"
The Grand Vizicr replied "Sire, as
sure you that there is no ground for their
complaint, and that among all not one
would consent to change her condition"
7 am aware that my ministers are al
ways ready TO deal 10 such phrases when
ever they are rcprovod, that the public and
their interests are neglected. But | swear
by Allah, shall have you stranglodifyou do
not produce, 10 the space Of one month, one
happy woman Do You hoar2 but one
single instance out Of my whole kingdom.
II is certainly q 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 by that time, fear my wrath"
The Grand Nizier retired disheartened,
as you, my gentle readers, may well mag
inc. He at once sought an interview with
the president Of the Bagdad police, from
whom he obtained poor comfort, who ex.
pressed doubt whether one happy woman
could be found in llaroun al Baschid's Gu
tire kingdom may, in the whole world.
Leaving him with heavy heart, the Pre-
mier undertook the task himself, well know
ing that his life was at stake As a man Of
acute understanding, he commenced his in
qurcs with the Sutana Taken by sur
prise she replied /" Do you expect inc to
be happy when the Caliph scarcely deyotes
an hour to me, but instead walks the streets
all night in disguise, while | must be flled
with constant dread Of his meeting with
some accident at any time2 DO not think
oft! The very poorest woman is happier
than am"
The Premier, cast down, left the palace,
whenhc met maiden, with blooming cheeks
carrying a watcr-vesse on her head, and
singing mcrrily as she went He called
10 her, saying, Art thou happy 2" 81
happy2 On, no | am as handsome as
the Sultana, and should like to be in her
place know | would please the Caliph
as we'll if he would direct his attention
to me-"
Again defeated, he left her, cogitating
upon now 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 difficult
undertaking"
lie had already turned his back upon her,
and was about to try his fortune with some
other ladies Of Bagdad. But the farther
he went the less hopeful he was. Where
ever he inquired, nothing but complaints,
the same fatal result. Admitted, that it
was rather a peculiar idea to ask the ladies
whether they are happy. Would they tell
the TRUTH The Grand Vizier thought so.
Ia his place would have seriously ques-
toned it, He went TO the market place, and
there asked an honest woman, a vender OF
dates. la reply to his query, whether she
was happy, she said, HAPPY | happy
No. indeed | work from morning early
until evening late, and scarcely make u liv'
ing. am obliged to rise early and retire
late to my rest, not having earned enough
frequently to pay for a scanty NEAL
" Fool that | was" the minister con
cluded, ." that | should come here to lool
for happy people" aud quickly went to th'
house Of rich Jewish banker. "She Ger
tainly must be happy" reflected the Vizier
"she is comfortably situated, clad in tn,
richest of apparel, dccked with the mos
costly iewelry, and surrounded by slaves t.
do her bidding She knows neither care
nor want
ALAS was the reply to the genera
question, turning her handsome dark eye
with longing toward heaven "Sire, | an
the most unhappy Of all women in Bagdad
My husband loves naught but money anC
money matters, leaving his wife to her Owl
sadness. A wife is ike unto flower, bu
to live aud flourish when supported by tn
majestic palm tree, but neglected and for
saken as the wife is without love, she j
made to wiihcr."
BY the Prophet, one who loves hel
husband with such ardor certainly deserve
to be happy. Where shall | find the de
sired person.
The sigh had hardly escaped his breas
when, as il pursued he ran in great haste t.
the opposite part Of the city. There dwell
woman who had been married but tw
months ago lie exclaimed, " have foun'
! her, | have found her. and entered th
house with Joy.
Hal to the happy woman," were hi
words of greeting, making a low bow to tn
, young wife, aud waiting with anxiety for al
answer.
: Happy happy ~ replied the youn
bride, Struggling her shoulders, "Oh, nc
: no longer; my husband gives me not mo
. ments peace. lie cannot bear to leave IN
y alone for an instant know he oyes inc
: but he repeats the story too often, aud if
! pause does ensue, be thereupon expects IN
: to begin. He swears some thousand times
4 day that he loves me, yea he seals it wit
= the most awful oaths, aud seems not to
- satisfied until l join with him 10 a lik
J. strain At first this little game was quit
= pleasant, but now"
- The Inflated minister now began to de-
~ pair He abandoned his search in the cal
y ital, aud was now determined to try ii
81 country. But despite Of his zeal, he Their
too, did not succeed could not discover II
o precious pearl demanded by the Caliph.-
Besides, the time allotted was nearly at a
!. end aud he had but one village more to ca
y plore. When about entering it, he observe
u a peasant aud his wife in the field. Th
latter was crying aloud because her hu
band had struck her, The Vizier sepa
" " atod them, and said to the man, 1t is N,
right that we should render our wives liy'
= miserable
ls s al miserable unhappy" exclaimt
" the woman; "on the contrary, | am yeI
happy"
= !" But did not see your husband striI
a youf
d. "True, be does strike me at times, but
matters not he is able, also, to protect u
~, with a strong arm"
" "Then you admit to know what it is
be happy
I. Most certainly am perfectly happy
u The Grand Nizier, now relieved Of
81 heavy burden, exclaimed; FINALLY, 6nall
81, have found one happy woman" al