The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-05-24

gayety, SO much folly and 50 much grace
and never was Minus 80 captivated. MOI
were her charms lessened in his eyes, when
slave not having executed properly an in
significant order, she commanded his head
to head to be struck off, which was imme-
dately done
Without bestowing thought on this
trivial matter, Minus still continued to con-
verse with Semlramis till the evening and
the fete arrived When. she entered the
saloon which had been prepared for the
occasion, a slave brou ght her plate on
which was the head of the decapitated
eunuch. ~
''Tis well, said she, after having examin-
ed it. "Pace 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 belonged
lived three hours ago, but that having DISC
beyed my will, his head was separated from
! from his body"
The fete was magnificent; assumptions BAN
quet was prepared in the gardens, and Semi
ramis received the homage of, all with a
grace and majesty perfectly regal; she con-
tinually turned to and conversed with
Minus, rendering him the most distinguish
ed honor
''You are" said she, "a foreign king |
come to visit me in 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. He was the first TO laugh at this
caprice; and the court, following his exam
pie, allowed themselves to be placed, with
out murmunng, according to the will of
the queen. She seated near herself the
three brothers of the Caucasus
care my orders executed?' she demanded
of them
eyes, they replied.
The fete was very gay. A slave having,
by the force OF habit, served the kings first,
Semiramis had him beaten with rods. His
cries mingled with the laughter of the
guests. Every one was inclined to merri-
ment. 1t was comedy, in which each
played his part. Toward the end of the
repast, when wine had added to tho general .
gayety, Semiramis rose from her elevated
seat, and said; ''My lords, the treasurer
of the empire has read me a list of those
who this morning have brought me their
gifts of conglatulation on my joyful &C.
oession to the throne. One grandee alone
Of the court has failed to bring his gift"
who is it?7 cried Minus. ''He must be
punished severely
st is you yourself, my lord-you who
peak. What have you given to the queen n
his morning."
Minus rose, and came with q smiling
ountenance to whisper something in the
ar of the queen.
''The queen is insulted by her servant"
reclaimed Semiramis.
II embrace your knees to obtain my par
on. Pardon me, beautiful queen" said
e; "pardon me-" And he added, in
over tone, II would that this fete were
nished."
''You wish, then, that should abdicate?"
lid Semiramis ''But mo- have still two
ours to reign;n and at the same time she
ithdrew her hand, which the king was !
,vering with kisses 81 pardon mott
id she, in loud voice, ''such an insult
! the part of a slave Slave prepare thy
If to die. u
Silly child that thou art" said Minus,
Ill on his knees, "yet will give way to al
y folly; but patience thy reign will soon
over"
You will not then be angry" said she, T.,
a whisper, sat something 1 am going to
Ter at this moment p
Mo-" said he. NJ NJ
Slaves said she, aloud, ''seize this man
hat Minus"
Minus smiled, and put himself into the :, NJ
Ids of the slaves. 6 afsn,
Take him ont of the saloon, lead him ton
D the court of the seraglio, prepare has
rything for his death, and wait my or l u n.
d bers
he slaves obeyed, and Minus followed OF St
m, laughing, into the court of the Sc Reg Ii1s
lilo. They passed by the head of the tors tors
'bedlent enunch. Then Semiramis pers
'ed herself on a balcony. Minus had any
cred his hands to be tied shou
Hasten to the fortress, Zopire; you to is he
camp, Arabian; Assar, do you secure all meet
gates in the palace" G Ga,9 =
use orders were given in o whisper, and eli
euted Immediately. this
Beautiful queen,n said Minus, laughing.
is comedy only wants its denouement: -
let 1t be prompt one.
WILL said Semiramis. ''Slaves, re-
ect the eunuch-strike :" CH
hey struck Minus had hardly time to
+ cry when his head fell upon the TIL
ement, the smile was still upon his lips. one !
Now l am queen of Assyria!" exclaim- from from
''and perish every one, like Conn G., NJ
eunuch and like Minus, who dare disc. quest
my orders !"