San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-01
ghe Daily eight.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL /, 1891.

my friends" said Ramek, holding q
glass of wine in his hand, lit gives me
great pleasure to propose toast. 1t is
seldom that so many circumstances of
good omen surround a man as those
which crowd upon him whose health it
is fitting we should drink. To most
men youth itself is sufficient joy.
What then should be the satisfaction OF
man who is not only young but hand
some, rich, and over whose head there
hangs the promise of crown? We who
love our land, who give our lives to its
advancement and look with jealous eyes
upon all that affects its welfare, can
truly say that the event which is cele-
brated by this gathering here tonight
meets with our warm approval can
well remember the day when our host
was little child 1t is hard for me to
realize that the fleeting years have
changed him from toddling boy into
firm. able man filled with a lofty pur-
pose and crowned at the outset of his
career with the laurels of success. But
must not detain you further, for see
that every glass is filled. My country
men, | give you the health and happi-
ness Of Hamassar, prince and an EN-
perors hope"
A wild shout of acclaim shook the air.
Standing the guests drank the toast in
a way which proved that they loved the
prince and were glad of his advance
ment. Hamassar's face flushed as he
heard the mighty cheer and met the
glances of affection which fell upon him
from all sides As Ramek saw the fever
in the princes eye and noted the trem-
bling of his jeweled hand he smiled ma,
iiciously and seemed to gain a few
pounds of flesh.
After the guests were again seated
and quiet had been restored Prince
Hamassar began, in a trembling voice,
his reply to Ramek's speech. He was
much affected by conflicting emotions.
and at first his words were feebly put.
1T is hard to express the inner feel
ings of the heart at such time as this"
he said. The warm words of my
friend, the wise and courtly Ramek,
and your approval of his praise have
filled Inc with a joy | cannot now dis
play" Here he paused and seemed to
feel the disturbing influence caused by
the gaze of 400 eyes. The crisis I'M
nerved him, and, seizing a tumbler of
wine, he drained it to the lees It was a
fatal step
My friends" he began again; there
is nobody $3.50 beautiful as my be-be-
betrothed. am proud-proud of her
hic. No man" here he braced himself
little-''no man ever won so wonder
ful-or no wonder $3.50 wonderful
Well, what | mean to say is that she is
won-wonderful. See? Now, want you
to observe that she has the most-hic-
beautiful hair and eyes, and her figure
her fg-fg-ure runs up into the millions.
See?-hic. urther-furthermore, am
not ug-ugly myself. | tell you-hic-my
friends, Ihave the hand-handsomest nose
in the world See? There is no nose so
firm in outline, so del-delicately tapered,
so Observation-Disclosures impress
i've as mine. See? Now, say, do you
see?-hic."
By this time the palace was in an up
roar. 1t was bad enough that Hamassar
was drunk, but the guests realized with
horror that in his boastfulness their host
had placed his head in peril. The en-
peror's decree made his speech a capital
offense, and so open defiance of the
law could not be overlooked
Cared for by servants, Hamassar was
led away to his sleeping apartments, and
the guests dispersed. In groups they
sauntered through the grounds, inhaling
the cooling breeze which wandered down
from the mountains. The moon in all
her glory shed a soft radiance over the
sleeping city and helped to quiet the ex-
cited mood of Hamassar's friends. An
hour later the city was wide awake dis
cussing the details of Hamassar's folly,
and wondering what would be the out
come of it all.
Ramek, after seeing that Hamassar
was safely guarded. hurried to the palace
OF the emperor. craved admission to his
lord. and related to the startled king the
story Of the night. The emperor could
not believe his ears. Hamassar, noted for
humility, had boosted in public? 1t could
not be. There must be some mistake
But other guests, near TO the king in
rank. had followed Ramek to the palace
and confirmed his tale.
Let not the princess know of this till
morning." said the broken hearted king
TO his attendants. You tell me, Ramek,
that Hamassar's house is surrounded by
a guard?'
lit is, my king"
- AT daylight, then. see to it that he is
taken to the prison. And let every guest
nj thic mot I,n.,,..r enn.t h.ll u,