Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-04-12

are your slaves, ana myseil "hh nV'"-
ing more than your servant tor the
whole Of this day. Whoever shall De
remiss in executing your orders, let
him be punished as if he had dis
obeyed the command Of the king
Having thus spoken, the king knelt
down before Semiramis, who gave
him, with a smile, her hand to kiss.
The courtiers then passed in success
sion. each making oath to submit |
blindly the orders Of Semiramis.
When the ceremony was finished, the |
king paid her his compliments, and
and asked her how she had managed
to 90 through it with 50 grave and
majestical an air. s6A l..5 5'-a7
"While they were promising to
obey me-" said semiramis, ~ was
thinking what should command each
of them to do. have but one day OF
power, and will employ it we'll"
The king laughed at this reply.
semiramis appeared more piquant and
amiable than ever.
"Let us see," said Minus, chow you
will continue your part. By what
orders Will you begini"
"Let the secretary Of the king ap-
proach my throne" said Semiramis,
in a loud voice.
The secretary approached, and two
slaves placed o little table before him.
"Write," said Semiramis: "Under
penalty Of death, the governor OF the
city Of Babylon is ordered to yield up
the command of the citadel to him
who shall bear this ORDER Fold this
order, seal it, and deliver to me this
decree. Write now, under penalty
of death, the governor Of the slaves OF
the palace is ordered to resign the
command of the slaves into the hands
) of the person who shall present this
Fold it, seal it with the kings seal,
and deliver to me this Decree Write
again, Under penalty Of death, the
, general of the army Of Babylon is
ordered to resign the command Of the
r army to him who shall be the bearer
of this commando Fold, seal ane
| deliver this decree to me-
She took the three orders, thus die
$ tated, and put them in her bosom
The whole court was struck with con
l sternation the king himself was sur
prised.
"Listen," said Semiromis. Gin tw
hours let all the officers Of the stat
g come and offer me presents, as is tn
custom on the accession of new prince
a and let festival be prepared for TN
y evening. Now let all depart. Lie
nv faithful servant Minus alone re
. main. I have to consult him upo
4 affairs of state"
When all the rest had gone out:
"You See" said Semiramis," that
=. know how to play the queen"
Minus laughed.
j. "My beautiful queen" said he, "yo
r. play your part wonderfully well bu
T if your servant may dare to questio
=. you, what would you do with Il
If orders you have dictated II"
III should be no longer queen wei
n I obliged to give account of my az
~ tons. Nevertheless, this was my I'M
~ tive have q vengeance to execu
g. against the three officers whom the
70 orders menace" .s
Nv vengeance! and wherefore 7"
" "The first, the governor of the cit
del, is one-eyed, and frightens n
~ every time l meet him; the secon
the chief Of slaves, I hate because
u; threatens me with rivals; the thir
the general of the army deprives 4
RI too often Of your company; you a
q constantly in the camp"
This reply, in which caprice al
Ter flattery were mingled, enchanted n
nus.
w. Good said he, laughing. "He
E,r are the first three officers Of the 81
a. pire dismissed for very sufficient re
7 sOns.n
The gentlemen of the court NJ
be came to present their gifts to
queen. Some gave precious stone
me Others, of lower rank, flowers a
len fruits, and the slaves, having MOTH
to give, gave nothing. Among tn
last were the three brothers who b
come from the Caucasus with Semi
Lot mis-, and had rescued the caravan
the which the women were from al en-
ing nous tiger.
has "And you," said she, to the tn
brothers, as they passed the thro
led "have you no present to make y
, to queen I"
cad "None other" replied the first,
pes, pire, ethan my life to defend her
tho. "None other" replied the secc
red Artaban, than my sabre against
am. enemies
his "None other,' replied the tb
The Assar, ethan the respect and adm