The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-02-19

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bic then ever.
"Let us see" said Minus, how will YOU
continue your part. BY what orders will
you beginl"
"Let the Secretary of the king approach
my throne" said Scmiramis. in loud
voice.
The Secretary approached, and two
slaves placed little table before.
Write" said Semiramus; "under n
penalty of death, the goernor of the cita-
del OF Babylon is ordered to yield up the
command Of the citadel to him who shall
bear this order. Fold this order, and seal
it with the kings seal, and deliver to me
this decree. Write no, under a penalty
of death, the governor of the slaves or the
palace is ordered to resign the command
OF the slaves into the hands of the person
who shall present to him this order. Fold
1t, seal 1t with the kings seal, and deliver
to me this decree. Write again, under
penalty of death, the general of the army
encampcd under the Walls of Babylon is
ordered to resign the command of the ar
my to him who shall be the bearer Of
this order. Fold, seal. and deliver this
decree to me-"
She took the three orders thus dictated
and put them in her bosom. The whole
court was struck with CONSERVATION: the
king himsclfwas surprised.
Listen" said Semiramis. ain two
hours hence let all the officers of the State
come forward and offer me presents. rs
this is the custom on the accession of new
princes, and let festival be prepared for
this evening. Now let all depart. Let
my faithful servant Minus alone remain.
L have to consult him upon affairs of
State"
When all the rest had gone out-"You
see said Scmiramis, "that know how to
play the queen"
Minus laughed. "My beautiful queen"
said he, "you play your part wonderfully
well; but if your servant dare to question
You, what would you do with the orders
you have directed'" - .....
Il should be no longer queen. were /
l,siliss'i.Ass sssse-s~evs~stssf,ssy-sssessossssl@a
Nevertheless, this was motive. / have
vengeance to execute against the three
officers whom these orders menace"
vengeance. and wherefore"
"The first, the governor of the citadel
is one-eyed and frightens me every time
| meet him; the second, the second, the
chiefof the slaves, L hate because he threa-
tens me with rivals; the third, the general
of the army, deprivcs me too often of your
company; you are constantly in the
camp"
This reply, in which caprice and flatte-
ry were minlgcd, enchanted Minus. Good
said he laughing. "Here are the first
three officers of the empire dismissed for
very sufficient reasons"
The gentlemen Of the court now came
to present their gifts to the queen. Some
gave prccions stones, Others of lower
rank, flowers and fruits, and the slaves
having nothing to give, gave nothing. A
moHg these last were three young broth
crs, who had come from the Caucasus with
Semiramis, and had rescued the caravan
in which the women were from an cnor-
nous tiger.
"And you," said she to the three bro
thers, as they passed tho throne, shave
you no present to make your queen?"
"No other" replied the first Zopire,
=" than my life to defend her."
"None other" replied the second, Arta-
ban, ethan my sabre against her enc
mics"
"None other" replied the third, Assar,
"than the respect and admiration which
her presence inspires"
"Slavcs," said Semiramis, ait is YOU
who have made me the most valuable
presents of the whole court, and will not
be engateful. You who have offered me
me your sword against my enemies, take
this order, carry it to the general of the
army encamped under the walls Of Baby
Ion, give it to him, and sec what he will
do for You. And you, who offered me
your life for my defence, take this order
to the governor Of the citadel, and see
what he viii do for do. And you, who
offer me the respect and admiration which
my presence inspires, take this order to
the commandant ofthe palace, and see
what will be the result"
Never had scmirnmus displayed so
much naiety. so much folly. and On nnuch