The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-11-02

warm air of night arose the joyous notes
Of drinking song. The gardens which
surrounded the great mansion seemed to
feel the influence of the gayety, for the
flowers welcomed the kisses of the night
wind, and the trees and shrubs MUIR
INJURED as though humming the air that
echoed from the banquet hall. The
fountains splashed merrily, and when
the moon came up seemed to laugh at
their own silvery beauty.
Within the palace dark faced eunuchs
hurried about dispensing the hospitality
of their lord. For Prince Hamassar en-
tertained that night 200 mighty men in
honor of his betrotha] to the emperor's
child. The banquet room presented a
glorious scene. About the table were
gathered the statesmen, poets, merchants
Of the land, and the feast before them
was worthy of their rank. Stern men of
battle sat among the men of peace and
men learned in the law conversed polite
ly with their clients. Sharp eyed doctors
were glad to see the viands and the wines
disappear SO fast, for well they knew that
indigestion, sharp and painful, would
give them work next day. So each guest
was happy in his own peculiar way, and
decorum gave place to mirth as the night
waxed old.
At the head of the room sat handsome
Prince Hamassar, his dark, fine face
lighted with a smile. Why should he
not be glad? Youth. wealth and fame
were his, and the promise of crown.
The fairest maiden in the world had
given him her troth. He was beloved by
the people and possessed the friendship
of the king. AS he gazed about him
that night and saw among his guests the
great men of the land his pulse beat
wildly and he drained glass of snow
cooled wine to quiet the fever of conceit
which he knew was throbbing in his
BRAIN
Near him sat the wise but wicked
Ramek, decked in gorgeous robes and
looking even thinner than before, placed
as he was between two robust men, But
Ramek, though not great in flesh, had a
brilliant tongue, and his witty jests
amused those who heard them so that a
roar of laughter ever and anon arose
from his corner of the board. Out OF
his small, burning eyes he watched the
prince and often pledged his health in a
trimming goblet of the headiest wine
Hamassar, unsuspecting of his rivals
purpose, drank freely and laughed bois
terously at the pungent words of Ramek
the WISE
When the fun was at its height and
sedate and solemn counselors had for.
gotten their dignity and sang and drank
as though they were boys ON a lark
Ramek arose and called in loud tones fol
silence. After while the uproar ceased
the wine was untouched for moment
the song died away in cheerful echoes
through the palace, and all eyes were
turned upon the cadaverous courtiel
who stood near the prince
My friends" said Ramek, holding 6
glass of wine in his hand, ''it gives me
great pleasure to propose toast. 1t il
seldom that so many circumstances o.
good omen surround man as thos,
which crowd upon him whose health il
is fitting we should drink To mos
men youth itself is sufficient joy
: What then should be the satisfaction o.
man who is not only young but hand
| some, rich, and over whose head there
, hangs the promise of a crown? We wbt
) love our land, who give our lives to it
, advancement and look with jealous eye
upon all that affects its welfare, cal
, truly say that the event which is cele
brated by this gathering here to-nigh
: mees with our warm approval. 1 cal
well remember the day when our hos
: was d little child. 1t is hard for me tx
| realize that the fleeing years have
! changed him from toddling boy into
firm, able man filled with lofty pur
: pose and crowned at the outset of hi
) career with the laurels of success. Blu
must not detain you further, for 1 Sc,
5 that every glass is filed. Ny country
men, give you the health and happi
, ness of Hamassar, prince and an EN-
l peror's hope
A wild shout of acclaim shook the air
, Standing the guests drank the toast i,
way which proved that they loved tn
prince and We're glad of his advance
: ment. Hamassar's face flushed as h
, heard the mighty cheer and met tn,
glances of affection which fell upon hin
, from all sides. AS Ramek saw the feve,
in the princes eye and noted the trem
t bling of his jeweled hand he smiled ma
liciously and seemed to gain a few
pounds of flesh.
After the guests were again seated
and quiet had been restored Prime
Hamassar began, in q trembling voice
his reply to Ramek's speech. He wa.
much affected by conflicting emotions
and at first his words were fec bly, put.
''It is hard to express the inner feel
ings of the heart at such time as this,
he said. The warm words OF m,
! friend, the wise and courtly Ramek
:, and your approval of his praise hav
filled me with a joy cannot now dis
: play" Here he paused and seemed t,
feel the disturbing influence caused b,
the gaze of 400 eyes. The crisis un
nerved him, and, Selling tumbler o
wine, he drained it to the lees. 1t was
:, fatal step.
MY friends, he began again; ether
, is nobody $3.50 beautiful as my be-be
betrothed. I am proud-proud of her
hic. No man" here he braced himsel
, a little-''no man ever won so wonder
: ful-or no wonder $3.50 wonderful
: Well, what mean to say is that she
: won-wonderful. See? Now, 1 want yo
> to observe that she has the most-hic-
, beautiful hair and eyes, and her figure
her fig-ig-ure runs up into the millions
L. :, L.. L