The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-05-23
An Emperor S Decree.
By EDWARD 8 VAN ZI1.E

By EDWARD s VAN zmE
Copyright All rights rsservsd.1
"Silence," he cried, land let the outer
door be closedv' Then he arose and
said: "a woman's voice pleads for q
hearing before the doom of Prince Ha-
massar shall be known. Reluctantly my
royal promise l have given that my
daughter should address the court"
There was buzz Of excitement in the
hall. Ramek looked surprised, and Ha-
massar's gloomy face betokened a pass
ing interest in these words. After a
moment side door opened, and the
Princess Bru surrounded by her court,
entered the hall. She looked superb.
Rich robes and jewels added to the
beauty of her face and form, and q muir
muir Of admiration broke from the mo-
bile throng. Ramek sprans forward
and offered her his arm, but she hangh-
thy waved him aside. One glance she
cast upon Ha,nassar full of love and
cheer. then proudly advanced toward
the throne.
Never before had the princess carried
herself SO we'll in her fathers sight. He
looked upon her with pride, and "a she
bowed before him smiled down upon her
with affection. ''She is every inch a
queen" he said to himself. EVEN If
Ramek had not made his speech week
ago it would have been q shame to wed
her to man without nose"
Standing alone upon the dais from
which orators addressed the court the
princess gazed calmly before her. There
was not q tremor in her face, and she
awaited patiently the cessation Of the
noise her appearance had produced. At
length she spoke:
by the kindness Of my king I am
allowed to stand here for q moment to
speak q few words in defense of Prince
Hamassar. Well do know that the
greatest lawyers Of the realm have pro-
nounced his case defenseless. Well do
I know that his sentence, once pro-
nounced, is now again to be affirmed.
Why come I then to raise womans
voice where men whose tongues are
bold refuse to stand? Why do I lay
aside the modesty of sex and reverse
the customs of our land? Because
love Hamassar, do you say? No, be-
Cause I love the right, and would not
SEQ my king and name disgraced.. For
know you all that the execution Of
the prince would be in full
defiance of all law. Your patience for q
moment and I'll explain. What is the
purpose of the decree against which
Prince Ha1nassar erred? Is it not that
in this mighty empire the egotist and
boaster may have no place? Has Ha-
lnassar, until the moment of his un-
lucky speech, been given to the habits Of
q braggart: You who know him least
know that his modesty has been famed
even in the distant corners of the earth.
What then? His sudden exhibition of
coaceit had some peculiar cause. He
was an egotist by chance, not by habit.
and when he spoke that night the gam
bols Of his tongue were due to wine.
Now follow mo close. The spirit of the
law is said to be the guidance of our
courts. DOES this decree in spirit urge
the death of one whose modesty and
rank have joined to make him an ex.
ample to the people of this land? No, ten
thousand times! The spirit of this de-
cree calls out for the removal of that
which caused the princes fall. If he is
modest when himself deprive him then of
all intoxicants and his humility will still
be as star to guide our youth. Cut off
his wine, neither his nose nor head. So
much for that. Now, let me say word
to those who talk of precedent and in
sist upon the letter Of the law" Here
she looked at Ramek. prince Ha-
,nassar has already fulfilled the harsh de-
mands OF this decree. What do I mean,
you ask. Just this. Did he remember
one word Of what he said? Can he now
recall his boastful speech? No. This
proves, beyond all question, that before
h. left his board he had lost his head.
Now, man cannot be punished twice
tor single crime. Having once lost his
head because Of the wine he drank, the
state has now no claim upon his person.
Thus do I hold that If he takes pledge
to abstain from all intoxicants the
spirit Of the law will rest in peace. The
letter Of the same. as have shown, il
now forever dead so far as Prince Ha-
is concerned"
Surprised applause, which had broken
nut now and then during the young wo-
mans speech, became q mighty roar a. |
she ceased. Cheer after cheer arose.
and had it not been for the guards the
lnpon1e v,o,,ld hovo ru;.o1 r1n,-..... =,