The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1874-01-08
HAROUN AL RASCHID.
The Thousand and Second Tale.

HOW THE GRAND vIzIER SOUGHT FOR A
HAPPY WOMAN.
The renowned Caliph rose one moraing
in very melancholy humor. He at once
summoned his Grand Vizier, who hasten
ed to obey. He thus addressed his Pre-
mier:
81 feel very disconsolate; l had
dream last night, when l beheld all
the women of my kingdom at the foot OF
my throne, beseeching me to help them.
Their grievances were that they were un.
happy, asking me to remove their wretch
ness; I mnst admit, it is true, their lot is
very hard" ,
The Grand Yizier replied: "Sire, / as
sure You that there is no ground for their
complaint, and that among all not one
would consent to exchange her condition" "
81 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 stranglcd
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 CON-
piled with my commands by that time,
fear my wrath"
The Grand Yizler retired disheartened,
as you: my gentle readers, may we'll im-
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 it
one happy woman could be found in ha-
roun al Raschld's entire kingIom-nay,
in the whole world Leaving him with
heavy heart, the Premier undertook the
task himself. we'll knowing that his life
was at stake. AZ o map Of cpto pndor-
standing he commenced his inquiries with
the Sultana. Taken by surprise, she re-
piled: DO you expect me to be happy
when the Caliph scarcely devotes an hour
to me, but Instead walks the streets all
night in disguise, whilst I must be filed
with constant dread Of his meeting with
some accident at any time. Do not think
Of it! The very poorest woman * happier
than | am."
The Premier, cast down. 1T tbs PALACE,
when he met maiden with bioomins'
checks carrying water vessel on her
head, and singing mOrrily as she vent
He called to her, saying, cart thou hap
py?" Il happy? Oh, no! | am as hand
some as the Sutana, and should like to be
in her place. know that wouli please
the Caliph as well, if he would but direct
his attention toward me-"
Again defeated, he left her, cogitatins
upon new adventures. Suddenly he
thought Of his own wife, and asked her:
"Are you happy:" Happy" she an
swered, "with such a 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 hopeful he was.
Whenever he inquired, nothing but COM
plants. the same fatal result. Admitted,
that it was rather peculiar 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 it. He went
to the market place, and there asked an
honest woman, vendcr of dates. In re-
ply to his query, whether she was happy,
said {: "Happy? I happy? No, indeed !
work from morning early until evening
late and scarcely make a 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 concluded,
that should come here to look for hap
py people, and quickly went to the house
Of n rich Jewish banker. She certainly
must be happy, reflected the Vizier; she
is comfortably situated, clad in the richest
of apparel, deeked with the most costly
iewelry and surrounded by slaves to do
her bidding. She knows neither care
nor want.
"Alasp' was the reply to the general
question, turning her handsome dark eyes
with longing toward heaven, "Sir, aln
the most unhappy of all women in Bagdad.