Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-06-16

Write now; Under penalty of death,
the governor Of the slaves of the
palace is ordered to resign the COM
mand of the slaves into the hands of the
person who shall present him this ORDER
Fold. sealwith the kings seal, and deliver
to me this decree. Write again: Under
penalty of death. the General of the army
encamped under the walls Of Babylon is or
6ered to resign the command of the army
to him who shall be the bearer of this or.
der. Fold, seal, and deliver to me the de-
cree.'
She took the three orders thus dictated,
and put them in her bosom. The whole
court was strueh with CONSERVATION; the
king himself was surprised.
Listen said Semiramis. in two hours
hence lot all the officers of state come and
offer me presents, as is the custom on the
accession Of a new princess, and let festi-
val be prepared for this evening. Now
let all depart. Let my faithful servant
Minus alone remain. have to consult
with him upon affairs of state
When all the rest bad gone out
You see.' said SemiramIs, that know
how to play the queen
Minus laughed.
My beautiful queen said he, you play
your part to establishment. But if your
servant may dare to question you what
would you do with the orders you have die
tated?
i should be no longer queen, were
obliged to give account of my actions New
ertheless, this was the motive. l have a
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 chief of the
slaves. | hate because he threatens me with
rivals; the third, the general of the army,
deprives me roo often Of your company
you are constantly 10 camp -.
This reply, in which caprice and fattery
were mingled, enchanted Minus.
Good said he, laughing. Here are
the three first officers of the empire dismiss
sed for very sufficient reasons
The gentlemen of the court now came To
present their gifts to the queen. Some
grave precious stones, others of a lower
rank, flowers and fruit, and the slaves bav.
| ing nothing to give. gave nothing but hon.
age. Among these last were three younp
brothers, who had came from the Cancases
with Semiramis, and had rescued the cara
van in which the women were, from an
enormous tiger. When they passed before
the throne
And you,' said she to the three broth
ers, have you no present to make to your
queen?
No other replied the FIRST Zopire. sthap
my life to defend her,
None other replied the second. Arta-
ban. than my sabre against h0r enemies
None other replied the third, Assar.
chan tie respect and admiration which
her presence inspires
Slaves said 5emiramis, lit is you who
have made me the most valuable presents
OF the whole court, and | will Got be un-
grateful You who have offered me your
sword against my enemies, Il ke this order,
carry ito the general ofthe army encama
sd.under the walls of Babylon, give it to
him and see what he will do for you. You
who have offered me your life in my de.
fence, take this order to the governor of the
citadel. and see what he will do for you;
and you who offer me the respect aud ad-
mirarion which my presence inspires, take
this order, give it to the commandaut of the
slaves of the palace, aud see what will be
the result
Never had Semiramis displayed so much
gayety, 80 much folly, and so much grace,
and never was Minus 80 castivated. Nor
were her charms lessened in his eyes, when
slave not having executed promptly an
Insignificant order. she commanded his
head to be struck Of, which was immedi.
ately dcne.
Without bestowipg thought on this
bril-
with SemiramiS, till the evening and the
fete arrived. When she entered the saloon
which Was prepared for the uccasin "a slave
brought Der plate, in which was the head
of the decspitated euuuch.
Ills well, said she, after having exam-
ined it. place it on a stake in the court
OF the palace, that all may see it, and be
you there on the spot to proclaim to every
one, that the man to whom this head be
longed lived three hours ago, out that, hav
ing dIsobeyed my will, his head was sepa>
rated from his body
The iete was magnificent; a sumptuous
banquet was prepared in the gardens, and
Semlramis received the homage Of ell with
Q grace and majesty perfectly regal; she
continually urned TO and conYeFsed with
Minus, rendering him the most distinguish
ed honor.
You are, said she, "a foreign kiog. come
to visit me 10 my palace. must make your
visit agreeable to YOU
Shortly after the banquet was served
Semiramis COMPOUNDED and reversed all
ranks. Minus was placed at the bottom of
the table. lie was the first to laugh at this
caprice; and the court, following his exam
pie, allowed themselves to be PLACID, WITH
out murmuring, according to the will of
the queen. She seated near herself the
three brothers from the Caucasus.
Are my orders executedT she demanded
of them.
'Yes,' replied they.
The tete was very gay. A slave having,
by force Of habit, served the king first,
Semiramis had him beaten with rods. His
cries mingled with the laughter Of the
guests. Every one was inclined to merri
nept. 1t was comedy. in which each
played his part. Towards the end Of the
repast, when wine had added to the geue-
raj gaety, Semiramis rose from her eleva>
ted seat, and said:
my lords, the treasurer Of the empire
has read me list of those who this morn
ing have brought me their gifts of con-
graduation on my joyful accession to the
throne. One gfanoee al1ne OF all the court
has failed 20 bring bis gift.'
Who is it?' cried Minus. He must be
punished reverely.'
1t is yourself. my lord-you who speak.
What have you given the queen this morn
ingr
Minus rose, and came with smiling
couutenance to whisper something in the
ear of the queen.
The queen is insulted by her servant p
exclaimed Semiramis.
i embrace your knees to obtain my par.
don. Pardon me, beautiful queen said be
pardon me- And he added in lower
tone, I would that this .tetc were finish
ed.'
You wish, then, that I should abdicate p
said Semiramis. But mol have still two
hours to reign;' at the same time she with.
49, haP hand which fha bin, had k....