The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-03-11

Odup
This reply. in which caprice and hat
terry were mingled, enchanted Minus.
"Good," said he, laughing Here are
the tirst :bree officers of the Empire dis
missed for very sufficient reasons
The gentlemen of The Court now came
to present their gifts to the Queen. Some
gave precious stones; others, Of lower
rank, flowers and fruits, and the slaves
having nothing to give gave nothing
Among these last were three young
hrothors, who had come from the Can
casus with Semiramis, and had rescued
the caravan in which the women were
from an enormous tiger.
sand yeu." said che to the three
brothers, as they passed the throne,
shave you no present to make your
QueenY'
mo other replied the first. Zopire,
"than my life to defend her"
'None other" replied the second, Ar.
taban, ethan my saber against her enc.
mics :"
"None other" replied the third, Assar,
"thau the respect and admiration which
her presence inspires"
"Slaves," said Semiramis, sit is you
who have made me the most valuable
presents OF the whole Court, ami will
not be ungratefll. You who have OF
fered me your sword against my enemies
take this order, carry it to the General ol
the army encamped under the walls nl
Babylon, give it to him and see what ht
will do for you. You who have offered
me your life for my defense, take this
order to the Governor of the citadel and
see what he will do for you. And you
who offer me the reepect and admiration
which my presence inspires. take this or
der to the comnandant Ct the palace an6
see what will be the result"
Never had Semiramis displayed sc
much gaiety, SO much folly, ,and SO muct
grace. and never was Minus so captiva
ted, Nor were her charms lessened ir
his eyes, when slave lot having execu
ted properly an insignificant order, sh,
commanded his head to be struck off
which was Immediately done.
Without bestowing thought on this
trivial matter, Minus still continued t.
converse with Semiramis till evening ant
the fete arrived. When she entered the
saloon which had been prepared for the
occasion a slave brought her plate or
which was the head of the decapitated
eunuch
"'Tis WE'LL" said she after having ex.
amined it. "Place 1t on 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 belonged lived three hours ago. bul
that having disobeyed my will, his head
was separated from his body"
The fete was magnificent; q sumptu.
Gus banquet was prepared In the garden
and Semiramis received the homage OF
all with grace and majesty perfectly
regal. She continually tuned to and
couversed with Minus. rendering him the
most distinguished honor.
"You are" said she, ga foreign King
come to visit me in nv palace; mus,
make your visit agreeable to you"
Shortly after the banquet was served
Semiramis confounded and reversed ali
ranks. Minus was placed at the bottom
of the table He was the first to laugh
at this caprice, and the Court, following
his example, allowed themselves to be
placed without murmuring, according to
the will of the @ ieen She seated her.
self near the three brothers of the eau.
casus.
''Are my orders executed ?" she de.
manded of them.
''Yes," they replied.
The fets was very gay. A slave hav,
ing, by the 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 merriment. 1t was comedy
in which each played his part. Toward
the end OF the repast, when wine had
added 10 the general gayety, Semiramis
rose from her elevated seat and said -
".My Lords, the Treasurer of the Em
pire has read me list of those who thi.
morning have brought me their gifts o.
congratulation on my joyful accession
to the throne. One grandee alone o.
the Court has failed to bring his gift >
"Who is II" cried Minus. "He mus
be punished severely"
sit is you yourself, my Lord -yor
who speak What have you given to
the Queen this morning2'
Minus rose, and came with a smiling
countenance to whisper something in the
ear of the Queen.
"The Qaeen is insulted by her ser
rant" exclaimed Semiramis.
II embrace your knees to obtain m,
pardon Pardon me, beautiful Queen,
said he; "pardon me-" And he adde,i
in lower tone, II would that this fete
we're finished"
You wish, then, that ] should abii.
cate ?" said Setniramis "But mol
have still two hours to reign;" and al
the same time she withdrew her hand
which the King was covering with kisses
4 pardon not said she, in { loud voice,
"such an insult on the part OF a 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!"
"Ynu will not then be angry" said
she, in a whisper, sat something am
going to order at this moment?"
MOI said he.
"Slaves," said she, aloud, "seize this
man-that Minus"
Minus smiled and put himself into the
hands of the slaves.
stake him out of the saloon, lead
him into the Court Of the Seraglio, pre-.
pare every thing for his death, and wait
nv orders"
The slaves obeyed, and Minus follow.
ed them, laughing, into the Court of the
Seraglio. They passed by the head ol
tile disobedient eunuch. Then Semi
ramis placed herself on balcony. Minus
had suffered his hands to be tied.
"Hasten to the fortress, Zopire; you
to the camp, Artaban; Assar, do you
secure all the gates in the palace"
Those orders were given in whisper
and executed Immediately.