The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-08-15

an insignificant order, she commanded his
head to be cut off, which was Immediately
done.
Without bestowing a thought on this
| trivial matter, Minus continue to converse
with SemiramIs till the evening and the
| fete arrived. When she entered the sa-
| loon which had been prepared for the
occasion. slave brought her a plate in
which was the head of the decapitated eu-
Mich.
'''Tis WE'LL" said she, after having ex-
amined it. place it on a stake in the
! court of the palace that all may see it, and
! be you there to proclaim to every one,
that the man to whom this head belonged,
! lived three hours ago, brt that, having dis
obeyed my viii, his head was separated
! from his body"
The fete was magnificent; sumptuous
banquet was prepared in the gardens, and
SemIramis received the homage of all with
a grace and majesty, perfectly regal; she
continually turned to and conversed with
/ Minus, rendering him the most distinguish
/ ed honor. ~ ou are," said she, ''a foreign
/ king come to visit me in my palace. | must
make your visit agreeable TO you"
! Shortly after the banquet was served,
/ Semiramis confounded and reversed all
ranks. Minus was placed at the bottom of
the table, He was first to laugh at this
caprice; and the court following his exam
pie allowed themselves to be placed with
out murmur!ng according to the Will of the
queen. She seated near herself the three
i brothers from Caucasus.
''Are my orders executedP' she deman-
ded of them.
Yes, they replied.
The fete was very gay. A S lave hav-
ing bv the force of habit, served the king
first, Semiramis had him beaten with
rods. HIS cries mingled with the laugh
ter of all the guests. Every one was in
clined to merriment. 1t was a comedy,
in which each played his part. Toward
the end OF the repast, when wine had ad-
ded to the general gaiety, Semiramis rose
from her elevated seat, and said: .sMy
| lords, the treasurer Of the empire has read
me a list of those who this morning have
brought me their gifts Of congratulatlon
on my joyful accession to the throne
| One grandee alone Of the court has failed
to bring his gift"
"Who is it!' cried Minus. He must
be punished severely
at is yourself, my lord-you who speak.
What have you given to the queen this
morning!"
Minus rose, and came with a smiling
countenance to whisper something in The
ear of the queen.
| the queen is insultcd by her servant" :"
| exclaimed Semiramis.
! 81 embrace your knees to obtain my
pardon. Pardon me, beautiful queen"
said he, ''pardon me-" And he added in
lower tone, Il would that this fete were
| finished"
you wish, then, that [ should abdi-
cate?" said Semiramis. "But no-I nave
| still two hours TO reign;" and at the same
time she withdrew her hand, which the
king was covering with kisses. Il par
/ don not" said she IN loud voice. such
an insult on the part Of slave. Slave,
prepare thyself to die"
SILLY child that thou art" said Minus,
still on his knees, ''yet give way TO thy
folly: but patience. thy reign will soon be
over"
"You will not then be angry" said she
in whisper, sat somthing am going to
! order at this moment
No." said he.
"SlaYes, SAID she aloud, ''selze this
man-that Minus
Take him out Of the saloon, lead him
into the court of the seragio, prepare
everything for his death, and wait my
orders-'
The slaves obeyed. and Minus followed
them, laughing, into the court ofthe sera-
Clio. They passed by the head of the
disobeying eunuch. Then Semiramis
placed herself on balcony Minus had
suffered his hands 10 be tied.
Hasten TO the fortress, Zophire; you
to the camp, Artaban; Assar, do YOU Sc
cure all the gates In the palace
These orders were given in a whisper
and executed Immediately.
:'Beautiful queen" SAID Minus, laugh
ing, this comedy only wants its deno1te-
nae'at; pray let 1t be a prompt one.''
81 WILL said Semiramis. Slaves,
recollect the eunuch-strike!"
They struck. Minus had hardly time
to utter cry when his head fell upon
the pavement, the smile was still upon
his lips.
Now am Queen OF Assyria," ex-
claimed Semiramis; land perish every
one, like the eunuch and like Minus who
dare disobey my orders.
"Ma. that nice young man, Mr.. Snuff
tung is very fond of kissing" Mind