Morris tribune., 1881-06-30
''but it is not SO usual as you may i'm.

tenn must needs work." said I. 1T is a
domestic failure. of course"
"You need not ask the question as Won
say" replied Simpson, cracking walnut.
But if you ask am bound to say it is so
far like marriage in this country-it is
sometimes domestic failure and some
times not Perhaps it requires more iudp-
ment in selection; you have not oniy to
please yourself, you know, but to please
your other wives.
Goodness gracious!'' said I, chow
coolly you talk about it! I hope no Eu-
ropean who happens to be resident in the
strange community ever gives in to the
custom?"
"Some do and some don't, was the re-
ply of Simpson. Il lived in Persia with
one wife for fifteen years before 1 gave
in"
"What! you married second VITO, your
first wife being alive?"
"Just SO" was the unabashed rejoinder.
Simpson swept the walnut shell into q
corner of his plate, and here helped him
self to sherry. Il have now four wives"
''Bless my soul and body!' said I. -Four
wives?"
eyes. The story of my little menage
may seem in your ears rather curious. If
it will not bore you I'll tell you about it. y
I had no words to decline the offer,
even if wished it. My breath was fairly
taken away by Simpsons four wives.
The traveller that had liked his food un-
cooked had given me rather a turn, but
that was nothing to this revelation Of my
present companion, a man we had always
considered of the highest responsibility
and who my wife had even thought would
suit our Jane.
We'll, it was picnic party on the plains
near Bussora that the thing first came
about. My wife and I were both present
at it, and my European notions preventing
my believing there could be the least mis-
understanding about it, since was already
married, made myself very agreeable to 9
certain Persian lady. She was neithe,
young nor pretty-just like what my wife
herself, indeed, had grown to be by that
time-and I no more thought of making hel
my No. than--dear me!-of embracing
Mohammeaanism. My attentions, howev-
or, were misconstrued, and her brother
being violent man in the Shah's cavalry
and knowing had fairish income, insist.
ed upon my becoming his brother in law
I believe that Irish marriages are Otter
brought about in the same way, SO there
was nothing in that. The popularity Of
the case lay in my having wife already
and one who was very resolute about my
having another. spare you the trouble
that ensued. Between my No. l wife on
the one hand and her sharp tongue, anc
the officer of Spahis on the other, with his
sharp sword, was placed in very I'm.
pleasant position, promise you. But il
the end married Khaleda. am sorry tt
hat {xrN W.T., olvy to
gether.
1t was said by great English wit tina
when ones wife got to be forty, one ough
ties like forty pound note, and l dare So.
that would be very nice; but unhappily
had now two wives, each forty, if they wer,
day, and there was no prospect of gettinI
them changed, or parting from them an,
way.
''Pirouze and Khaleda led me a most un
happy life. They quarrelled from morn
ing till night, and 80 far as being able t.
play off one against the other as l secretl,
hoped, was treated with great unkindnes
by both of them. They were matter o
considerable expense, Of course, and YER
little satisfaction. My position in fact be
came intolerable; and as 1 could pleas
neither of them resolved to please mysel
by marrying No. g."
"A twenty suppose" said I, interested
in spite of myself in this remarkable nara
| ton.
"Well, yes-that is, she would have BEEF
at twenty in England, but in Paris youn
ladies marry good deal earlier. She wa
a charming creature and cost me-"
What! did you buy herr" cried in as
tonishment and horror.
"Wel no, not exactly. Her father, how
ever, insisted upon something handsome
and there were heavyish fees to be paid t.
her mother and sisters and to the governo
of Bussora. The custom of the county i
curious in that respect. After ones secont
wife considerable tax is levied by the gov
eminent upon marrying men. However
Badoura was worth all the money; she sang
she played divinely--thati is, she would hav
done so if she had not been always crying
Pirouze and Khaleda made her life utterl
miserable. Hitherto they had been ct dag
gers drawn with one another, but now the,
united together to persecute the unhapp
Badoura. Her very life was scarcely SAT
with them. Wretched as my former lot ha
been, it was now become unendurable, fo
one can bear ones own misery better tina
that of those we love-"
Here Simpson took out his handkerchief
of beautiful Persian pattern, and presse
it to his eyes. eyes, my dear friend, the
led my Badoura dogs life did those tw
women, I felt myself powerless to protet
her, for was never physically strong; an
though did not understand one-half th
epithets they showered upon her, ooul
see by the effect they had upon her tina
they were most injurious, what, have n
doubt, would in this country be considere
actionable. For her, however there was n
remedy, and think she would have sun
under their prosecutions had I not marie
zobeide"
"No. 4, "ctied I, asbast. What on cart
did you do that fort"
Il married Zobeide solely and wholly fl
Badoura's sake. chose her, not for b.
beauty, nor her accomplishments, but fl
her thews and sinews. said to her: tx
beide, you are strong and powerful your
. woman; if 1 make you my wife will yo
protect my lamb? and she said, I will.
was the most satisfactory investment
mean the happiest choice-I ever made. N
home is now the abode of peace. In or
wing of the house abide Pirouze and XIII
leda. in the other Zobeide and Badoura-
two on the east side and two on the ives
Each respects the other; for although P
rouze and Khaleda are strong females, an
each could wiring the neck of my Badour
Zobeide is stronger than both of them p,
together and protects her. Thus the epp0
ing elements are, as it were, neutralize
the combatants respect the other, and a
the head of united house. I got lette
from all my four wives this mornin
each of them most characteristic and inte
esting. Badoura forgot to pay the postal
she has soul above pecuniary details
, and her letter was the dearest Of ALL"
Don't cry, Simpson, said I; "don't CT
old fellow. The steamer goes on Tuesda
and then you will see all your wives agail
They will welcome you with eight GU
stretched arms, like the octopus"
confess I was affected by my friend
art1ess narration at the time, though stint
!, I have reflected upon the matter, nay NOR
sense has asserted itself, and Is outraged.
state the matter as fairly as can. I ha'
been to plcnics myself, as married ma
and made myself agreeable to the ladie
Well, in Persia this might have cost n
my life, or the expenses of a second estal
lishment. So far there is every excu
for Simpson. But on the other han
| the astounding fact remains that the
are four Mrs. Simpsons at Bussora. Whe,