The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-07-03
Seeking for n Happy Woman.

- feel very dlScOnSoate. L had dream
last night, when l bcheld all the women of
my kingdom at the foot of my throne, be-
seeching me to help them. Their griev-
ances were that they were unhappy, and
asking me to remove their wretchedness.
l must admit their lot is very hard"
The Grand Vizier replied:
"Sire, | assure you that there is no
ground for their complaint, and that among
all not one would consent to exchange her
present condition"
81 am aware that my ministers are al
ways ready to deal in such phrases when
ever they are reproved; but the people and
their interests are neglected. l swear by
Allah I shall have you strangled if you do
not produce in the space of one month 4
happy woman. DO you hear? but one sim
gle instance out of my whole kingdom! 1t
is certainly demand of no great hardship.
Now you may go in peace, and shall ex
pect you to return in one month. But, if
you have not complied with my demand by
that time, fear my wrathn'
| The Grand Vizier retired disheartened
He at once sought an interview with the
| Bagdad police, from whom he obtained
poor comfort.
He expressed serious doubt whether
one happy woman could be found in Har-
oun AL Raschild's entire kingdom-nay! in
the whole world. Leaving him with a
heavy heart, the Vizier undertook the task
himself, well knowing that his life was at
stake. AS man of acute understanding,
he commenced his inquiries with the Sui
tana. Taken by surprise, she replied:
"Do you expect me to be happy when
the Caliph scarcely devotes an hour to me;
but instead walks the street all night in
disguise, while l am filled with constant
dread of his meeting with some accident?
Do not think of it! The very poorest
woman is happier than l ami
The Nizicr, cast down, left the palace,
when lie met maiden, with blooming
checks, carrying a water-vessel on her head
and singing merrily as she went. He call
ed to her, saying:
art thou happy? '
81 happy? Oh, no! l 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 atten-
ton toward me-
Again defeated, he left her, cogitating.
Suddenly he thought of his own wife, and
asked her:
cart thou happy"
Happy ?" she answered, "with such a
man? 1t would indeed be difficult un-
dertakingr'
He turned his back upon her, and went
out to try his fortune with some other ladies
of Bagdad.
The farther he went, the less hopeful he
was. Wherever he inquired nothing but
comprehensive same result.
He went to the market place and met
there an honest woman, vender of dates.
In reply to his query whether she was
happy, she answered:
"Happy? hapPy? no, indeed. / work
from morning carly to evening late, and
scarcely make a living. l am obliged to
rise early and go to bed late, not having
earned enough to pay for meal"
"Fool that l was to come hero to look
for happy people"' and he went to the
house of rich Jewish banker. "This
mans wife certainly must be happyr' re-
| Elected the Vizier. &" She is comfortably
situated, clad in the richest Of apparel,
and surrounded 10y slaves to do her bid
ding. She knows neither care nor want"
"Alas.' was the reply to the general
question, turning her handsome dark eyes
toward heaven:
"Sre! l 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: to live and flour
ish when supported by the majestic palm
tree; but, neglected and forsaken-as the
wife is without love-she is made to wither. y
"By the prophet! one who loves her hus-
band with such ardor certainly deserves to
be happy! Where shall find the desired
person ?"
The sigh had hardly escaped his breast
when, as if pursued, he ran in great haste
to the opposite part of the city. There
dwolt woman who had been married but
two months. He exclaimed:
81 have found her! l have found hertz
and entered the house with joy.
"IIail to the happy woman.' were his
words of greeting, making low bow tc
the young wife, and waited with anxiety
for an answer.
Happy happy?" replied the young
bride, struggling her shoulders. ooh, no
no longer. He cannot bear to leave me
alone for an instant. l know he loves me-
but he repeats the story too often. If 9
pause ensues, he thereupon expects me tc
begin. He swears some thousand times a
day that he loves me. Yea. he seals it by
the most awful oaths, and seems not to be
satisfied unless join in with him in a like
strain. At first this was quite pleasant
but
The Inflated minister now began to de
spair. The time allotted was nearly at al
end, and he had but one mole village t,
explore. When about entering it, he OBJ
served a peasant and his wife in the field
The latter was crying aloud because he
husband had struck her. The Vizier sep
arated them, and said to the man: &" 1t i
not right that you should render your wife
life miserable.
81 miserable? l unhappy" exclaimed
the woman. "On the contrary am a
present very happy!'
"But did l not see your husband strik
you?"
"True, he does strike me at times; bu
, it matters not. lie is able also to protec
me with a strong arm."
"Then you admit you know what it is t
be happy?'
"Most certainly, sir! l am perfect
happy"
n The Grand Vizier, now relieved Of hi
heavy burden, exclaimed:
, "Finally | have found one happy VIC