Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-09-15
TALES FROM THE GREEK.
The Two Unhappy Men and the
Philosophical Rat.

OOIy hS'f
One morning as Azhan the Merchant
got out of bed to find that no prepara-
lions had been made for breakfast and
that his wife had started off an hour
gave way to bitter lamentations. The
more he lamented the more he thought
, Of suicide, and at length he hunted up
the clothesline and started ou to find
a convenient tree. By and by he halt
ed in the shade of a persimmon and
got the noosed rope over a limb, but
about that time along came a stranger,
who also had a rope in his hands and
was a victim of sorrow.
Are you too tired Of life's tur-
n.oils?'' asked Azhan as the stranger
halted beside him.
ALAS, l ami" was the reply. For
a year I have mourned and sorrowed
without ceasing, and now l would de-
part from earth"
Hath men deceived thee and de-
stroyed thy faith?"
ut was a woman. Know you that
for W years l loved a woman more
than my life"
and in due time she gave you the
marble hearth"
"She did. After plighting her troth
to me and making my heart sing with
happiness she threw me owe for n
who had more sugar, and, being able
to forget, | wouldst dangle at the end
of this rope. When l am dead, per-
haps Yanini will shed a tear on my
grave"
"Yanini!" repeated Asian. do you
mean, Yanini Znayn, the redheaded
daughter of the bell ringer?"
"She it is. Yes, she threw mi down
for Azhan Xulla, the corn merchant"
But l am Azhan Xulla, and Yanini
is my wife. You say you loved her
above all else on earth?"
above all else, o Xulla. To me she
was Incompatible. Even after she was
welded to you, even as we stand here,
my heart beats only for Yanini."
well, by John, there seems to be a
sort of mix up here!" said Azhan as he
scratched his head. you are here to
hang yourself because Yanini threw
you over, and l am here to do the same
thing because l made her my wife"
Blu why your unhappiness?"
Because of my marriage. Yanini
has boxed my ears, pulled my hair and
pinched my arms. She is a shrew and
a scold. She is a spendthrift and a
sloven. Even now she is neglecting
her house to CAD about. Why, old
man, I'd give half I'm worth if you
had only married her. I'll apply for
a divorce tomorrow if you want her.
Yes, If your heart cries out for Yanini,
for heavens sake take her and well
come"
Say O SOP" unused the other.
perhaps on account of my youth and
innocence l saw an angel where none
existed"
and on account Of my being 60
years of age and an old fool this young
redheaded wife has made a donkey of
me-"
And you came out here to die be-
cause life is a burden?"
81 did. And you came out here to die
because o are an ass"
What would you suggest?" asked
the Tilted after a long pause.
"Well, there's a saloon at the foot of
the hill"
"A cocktail or something?"
That's me-"
"And we will live on?"
well have to, but we'll get twice
as much fun out of it as ever before.
Here, now, TAKE my arm, and as we
go let us sing:
For he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow
Nothing is ever so bad as it seems.
One day as Abascal the Wise was sit
ting in his study and reflecting upon the
| ignorance of the corner grocer in dis
playing prunes alongside of strawberries
a servant brought a trap with a rat in it.
Your capture said the wise man to
the rodent. us but a natural sequence.
You love cheese. and you let your appe-
tite get the better of your discretion.
l yo,,r Jaath will oIan ho q pnattar Of ga
| uaence. You are inim,cal to man, and
man seeks to destroy you"
I You are truly wise, o Abascal." re-
| piled the rodent, but you do not go far
enough. TIL natural sequences of catch
ing a rat Ia to LAY some fun with him
Instead of chucking the trap into a tub