Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-02-07

here, and there were those who thought
they heard him sob. "Hamassar, your
sentence l pronounce. Before to-mor-
rows sun has set behind the hills your
head must fall May the deities that
love our land be kind to yor.
A dread silence followed these fateful
words. Hamassar's face was white, but
his lips trembled not at all. Suddenly
upon the startled air arose q shriek and,
rushing forward, the Princess Bru sprang
up the stairway to the throne Throw
ing her white arms about her fathers
neck she cried: "0h, spare hint Spare
himi Save him for my sake"
Silence, my child" the emperor
sternly cried, though his hand touched
her shoulder lovingly. Remember you
are the daughter of king. Guards, re-
move the prisoner
Most gracious lord" exclaimed
white haired man pushing his way
through the throng, permit me word
before the prisoner departs"
Speak" said the emperor curtly.
"but see to it that your words are few
and to the point"
Stepping forward until he stood in full
view of the crowd, the old man said:
THAT his head is forfeit to the state
according to the ruling Of our king ia
true heard them and know. But
in our courts the spirit, not the letter,
Of the law is held to be the highest guild
ance for our use. Now. let us look at
Prince Hamassar's case. The witnesses
have shown that in an egotistic way he
boasted Of his nose. He spoke not Of
his head, nor claimed that any feature
but his nose was worthy Of all praise.
What follows? The letter of the law de-
mands that he shall lose his head. But
this punishment is too severe. The de-
cree was laid down not to oppress our
land. but to make our people modest.
Therefore l say that its spirit will be
carried out in full If Prince Eamassar's
nose is severed from his face. Let him
lose that of which he Dragged. and If, in
the future, he shall vaunt the beauty Of
his ears, or call his hands unrivaled, let
further mutilation be his fate. This is
strict justice. and mercy and reason here
20 hand in hand.
A roar Of applause resounded through
the palace as the old mans clever speech
came to sudden end. The emperor
looked pleased and seemed to reflect that
. nose is not essential to u son-in-law.
The Princess Bru clapped her fair hands
delightedly, and even Hamassar seemed
to lay aside for q moment his studied
and phleginatic pose.
"Old man, you have spoken well, the
emperor said. "Your reasoning is most
profound hereby revoke the sentence
just pronounced and decree that
Most gracious king" broke in Ramek,
rushing forward. grant me moment
before you take another STEP"
"What means this noise, wise Rameksr'
the emperor cried. "You were not wont
to be a rattlepate."
"Nor am l making foolish interruption
now, my lord; but as subject some
times usefnl to the state l crave your
notice to word or two"
"Go on, then, and be quick"
Permit me. then, to say that in his
argument my aged friend has spoken
brilliantly. He is skillful in the law and
his persuasive voice went to my inmost
soul. But bear in mind, my king, that
this especial case will serve for pre-
cedent, and as the late decree is now in
terpreted SO shall its influence for all
time be felt. Now, mark you'll Accord
ing to the counselor who just now spoke
it is sufficient for the law that he who
disobeys it should lose that Of which he
boasted. Hamassar then forfeits to the
state his nose. But we must bear in
mind that he also showed in word and
manner, quote from the decree. over
weening satisfaction in his betrothed.
According. therefore, to our friends in
terpretation Hamassar's nose and your
own daughter, gracious king, must be
cut off. There is no middle course. II
the spirit Of the law demands the sac
rifice Of Prince Hamassar's nose 1t
cries out also for the blood OF the
Princess Bru. put the matter
plainly, for this is crisis when to mince
words would be criminal. feel that
the death of Hamassar would be ma
tional calamity. | have always loved
him well and have rejoiced in his ad-
vancement. But the life Of one man
only is not here at stake. II the law be
construed in loose and careless way
there is no telling how cruel its applicar
ton may yet become. By holding to
the letter Of this stern decree all danger
Ia avoided. and a precedent here set for
many generations yet unborn. Let
Hamassar rise to a joyous contemplar
ton Of the fact that in his death he will
confer upon posterity great and last
ing boon. thank you much, 0 king,
for granting me this time, and hope that
you will understand my heart. l am
striving to protect the welfare Of our
land. II have erred your own great
wisdom will surely set mo right"
Ramek ceased, and as his voice in
jeering echoes died away shudder
passed over the assemblage. For his
words. though harsh, were wise, and all
who heard them knew the prince must
die. The Princess Bru sobbed painfully
"a A. faoo xryoo orava Ho