St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1879-05-17

ApAASS NAoAhAoSCo Ava vel y colASiCAe
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 moth
ing to give-gave nothing. Among
these last were three young broth
ers. who had come from the eau
caSus with Semiramis, and had res
cued the caravan, Ill which the
! women were, from IN enormous
tiger.
And you," said she. to the three
brothers as they passed the throne,
have you no present to make your
Queen?"
NO other" replied the first, 20
pire. than my life to defend her"
mo other" replied the second,
Artaban, than my sabre against
her enemies.
mo other" replied the third,
Assar, than the respect and ad-
! miration her presence inspires"
! "Slaves," said Semiramis, 1T is
you who have made me the most
valuable presents of the whole court,
and I will not he ungrateful You,
who have offered 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 see wha. lac
will do for you. You, who have
offered NE your life for my defense,
take this order to the Governor of
the citadel, and see what he will do
for you. Aud you, who have offer
ed me the respect aud admiration
: which my presence inspires, take
this order to the commandment of
the palace, and see what will be the
result
Never had Semiramis displayed
SO much gayety, so much folly and
30 much grace, and never was
Minus 30 captivated. Nor were her
charms lessened in his eyes, when,
II slave not having executed proper
ly an insignificant order, she COM
manded his head to be struck of,
which WAS Immediately done.
Without bestowing a thought on
this trivial matter, Minus still con-
tlnued to converse with Semiramis,
till the evening aud the fete arrived.
When she entered tine saloon which
had been prepared for the occasion,
IL slave brought her q plate on
winch WAS the head OF the decapi-
tated eunuch.
Ills well" said she. place it
on stake in the palace, that all
may see it, and be- you there on the
spot to proclaim to every one that
the muu to whom this head belong
ed lived three hours ago, but that,
having disobeyed my will. his head
was separated from his body.
The fete was magnificent; a
sumptuous banquet WAS pre-
pared in the gardens. and Semlra-
mis- received the homage of all with
grace and majesty perfectly regal;
she continually turned to and con-
versed with Minus, rendering him
the most distinguished honor.
Yen are" she said, "a foreign
King come to visit ME in nv pul-
ace; / must make your visit agree
alb To YOU.
; Shortly afterward the banquet
Was served. SeIniramis COMPOUNDED
and reversed all ranks. Minus WAS
placed at the bottom of the table
He WAS the first to laugh ut this
caprice; and the court followed his
example, allowing themselves to be
placed, without murlnuring, accord
my to the will Of the Queen. She
seated herself near the three broth
ers of the Caucasus.
Are my orders executed" de-
IN nded the Queen.
Yes" tn y replied.
Tue fete y > very lay. A slave
having, by force of habit, served the
King first, Semiralnis had him beat
en with rods. His cries mingled
with the laughter of the guests.
Every one was inclined to merri-
,nent. It WAS comedy in which
s.,,h y,l.v.l L;a mart Toward tho