The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-02-11
MISCELLANY.
THE PR EofoUs PEARL.

The renowned Caiiph, Haroun al Rachild
rose Que morning to a very melancholy hui
NOR. He at once summoned his Grand Vizier,
who fastened to obey. He thus addressed
his premier:
81 feel very disconsolate. l had dreath
last night, when beheld all the women of
my kingdom at the foot Of my throne, be-
seeching me to help them. Their grievances
were that they were unhappy, asking me to
remove their Indebtedness; and Unjust admit
it is true, their lot is very hard"
The Grand Vizier replied: "Sre, assure
you their is no ground for their complaint
and that among all not one would consent to
change her condition"
81 am aware that my ministers are always
ready to deal in such phrases whenever they
are reproved, that the people and their in
terests are neglected. But l swear by Allah,
shall have you strangled if you do not pro-
duce in the space of one month one happy
woman. Do you hear? But one single in
stance out of my whole kingdom. 1t is GER
tainly demand Of no great hardship. 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 Vizier retired disheartened, as
ours readers may well imagine. He at once
sought an interview with the President Of the
Bagdad police, from whom he obtained poor
comfort, who expressed serious doubt
whether one happy woman could be found in
Haroun al Raschid's entire kingdom--nay in
the whole world. Leaving him with a heavy
heart the Premier undertook the task him
self well knowing that his life was at stake.
As man of acute understanding he CON-
menced his inquiries with the Sultana.
Taken by surprise size 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 disguise, while
must be filed with constant dread of his
meeting with some accident at any time
Do not think of it ! The poorest woman is
happier than amp"
The Premier, cast down, left the place.
when he met maiden with blooming cheeks,
carrying watervessel on her head and sing
ing merrily as she went. He called to her,
saying, cart thou happy" 81 happy ?
Oh, no am as handsome as the Sultana and
should like to be in her place. l know
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, 6 Are you hap
py?" "Happy." she answered, with
such man it would, indeed be a difficult
undertaking."
He had already turned his back upon her
and was about to try his fortune with some
other ladies Of Bagdad. But the further he
went the less hopeful he was. Whenever he
inquired nothing but complaints, the same
fatal results Admitted that it was rather a
peculiar idea to ask the ladies whether they
are happy. Would they tell the trurhs The
Grand Vizier thought SO. In bis place we
would have seriously questioned it. He went
to the market place and there asked an honest
woman, vender of dates. In reply to bis
query whether she was happy, she said i:
" Happy | happy? No, indeed work
from morning early unto evening late and
scarcely make living. am obliged to rise
early and retire late to my rest, not having