The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-06-30

1.-The Persians have more wives than one,
have they not?" inquired I.
"Those who can afford it have" said he;
''but it is not so usual as you may i'm
agine."
tenn must needs work." said I. 1T Is a.
domestic failure, of course"
"You need not ask the question as you
say" replied Simpson, cracking walnut.
But if you ask I 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 judy
ment in selection; you have not only to
please yourself, you know, but to please
your other wives.
''Goodness gracious!'' said I, chow
coolly you talk about it! 1 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 gave
in"
''What! you married second WIFI, your
first wife being alive?"
"Just SO, was the unabashed retoinder.
Simpson swept the walnut shell into
corner of his plate, and here helped him.
self to sherry. Il have now four wives"
"Bless my soul and bodyr' said 1. -Four
wives7"
Eyes: The story Of my little m,e'eage
may seem in your ears rather curious. If
I had no words to decline the offer,
even if I 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 q turn, but
that was nothing to this revelation of my
present companion. man we had always
considered Of the highest responsibility,
and who my wife had even thought would
suit our Jane.
Well, it was picnic party on the plains
near Bussora that the thing first came
about: Ny wife and weto both present
at it, aid my European notions preventing
my believing there could be the least mis-
understanding about it, since was already
married, I made myself very agreeable to a
certain Persian lady. She was neither
young nor pretty-just like what my wife
herself, indeed, had grown to be by that
time and no more thought of making her
my No. than--dear me!-of embracing
Mohammeaanisn. My attentions, howev-
er, were misconstrued, and her brother,
~ y,
and knowing had a fairish income, insist
believe that Irish marriages are often
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. I spare you the trouble
that ensued. Between my No. wife on
the one hand and her sharp tongue, and
the officer of Spahis on the other, with his
sharp sword, was placed in very un-
pleasant position, promise you. But in
the end married Khaleda. am sorry to
say that the two got on extremely Ill to-
esther.
1t was said by great English wit that
when ones wife got to be forty, one ought
to be allowed to change her for two twen-
ties like forty pound note, and I dare say
that would be very nice; but tinhappily
had now two wives, each forty, if they were
day, and there was no prospect of getting
them changed, or parting from them any
way:
ing till night, and so far as being able to
hoped, was treated with great unkindness
by both of them. They were matter of
considerable expense, of course, and very
little satisfaction. My position III fact be-
came ihtolerable; and as I could please
neither of them resolved to please myself
by marrying No: g."
"A twenty / suppose" said I, interested
in spite Of myself in this remarkable MARIA
ton.
"Well; yes-that is, she would have been
at twenty in England, but in Paris young
ladies marry good deal earlier. She was
a charming creature and cost me-"
what! did you buy her?" cried I in as
constituent and horror.
"Weu no, not exactly. Her father, how
ever, insisted upon something handsome,
| and there were heavyish fees to be paid to
her mother and sisters and to the governor
Of Bussora. The custom of the county is
curious in that respect. After ones second
wife considerable tax is levied by the gov
eminent upon marrying men. However,
Badoua was worth all the money; she sang,
she played divinely that is, she would have
| Pirouze and Khaleda made her life utterly
miserable. Hitherto they had been at dag
gers drawn with one another, but now they
tinted together to perseclte the unhappy
Badourn. Her very life was scarcely safe
with them. Wtetched as my former lot mad
been, it was now become Uncomfortable, for
one can bear one 8 own misery better than
that of those we love-"
| Here Simpson took out his handkerchief,
of beautiful Persian pattern, and pressed
it to his eyes. Eyes, my dear friend, they
led my bado,ira dogs life did those two
women, felt myself powet1ess to protect
her, fof was never physically strong; and
though did not understand one half the
epithets they showered upon her, could
see by the effect they had upon her that
they we're most injurious, what, have nc
doubt, would in this country be considered
actionable. For her, however there was nc
remedy, md think she would have sunk
under their prosecutions had not married
Zobeide."
=. mo: 4;"czis erie. l I, aghast' what on earth
II married zobeide solely and wholly TO,
Badoura's sake. 1 chose her, not for bel
beauty, nor her accomplishments, but 70:
her thows and sinews. 1 said to her: 40.
beide, you are strong and powerful young
woman; if make you my wife will yot
protect my lamb? and she said, L will II
Was the most satisfactory investment
mean the happiest choice-I ever made. nv
home is now the abode of peace. In one
wing of the house abide Pirouze and Kha.
leda: in the other Zobeide and Badoura-
two on the east side and two Oh the west
Each respects the other; for although Pi.
rouze and Kha1eda ore strong females, anc
each could wiring the neck of my Badoura
Zebeide is stronger than both of them pu
together and protects her. Thus the eppos
ing elements are, as it we're, neutralized
the combatants respect the other, and an
the head of united house. I got letter.
from all my four wives this morning
each of them most characteristic and inter
esting. Badoura forgot to pay the postag
she has soul above pecuniary details
and her letter was the dearest of ALL"
Don't cry, Simpson, said I; don't cry
old fellow. The steamer goes on Tuesday
and then you will see all your wives again
They will welcome you with eight out
stretched arms, like the octopus"
confess was affected by my friend
artless narration at the time, though since
I have reflected upon the matter, nay mora
sense has asserted itself, and is outraged.
state the matter as fairly as can. I hav
been to plcnics myself, as married man
, and made myself agreeable to the ladies