The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-02-19

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shave the hdnd-hdndsomcs nose IN the
t1orld,"
Tie palace Of Prince Hamassar was
gay with brilliant lights, and on the soft,
warm air Of night arose the joyous notes
Of drinking song. The gardens which
surrounded the great mansion seemed 10
feel the influence Of the gayety, for the
flowers welcomed the kisses Of the night
wind, and the trees and shrubs muir.
INJURED rs though humming the air that
echoed from the banquet hall. The
fountains splashed merrily, and when
the moon came up seemed TO laugh al
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 betrothal 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 80 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.
Atthe head Of the room sat handsome
Prince Hamassar, his dark, fine face
lighted with o smile. Why should be
not be glad2 Youth, wealth and fame
were his, and the promise Of q crown.
The fairest maiden in the world had
given him her troth. He was beloved by
the people and possessed the friendship
Of the hing. 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 a 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
a. 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
hismAll, burning eyes lie watched the
prince and often pledged his health in a
brimming 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
q though they were boys on q 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 oourtier
who stood near the prince.
my friends" said Ramek, holding q
glass Of wine in his hand, ''it gives me
great pleasure to propose toast It Ia
seldom that 30 many circumstances Of
good omen surround man as those
which crowd upon him whose health It
is fitting we should drink. To most
men youth itself Is o 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 y little child II Is hard for me to
realize that the Aeeting years have
changed him from toddling boy into o
firm, able man filled with q lofty pur-
poss and crowned at the outset Of hia
career with the laurels Of success But
I must not detain you further, for l see
that every glass Is filed. Ny country
men, l give you the health and hsppi-
ness Of Hamassar, prince and an en-
peror's hope"
A wild shout Of acclaim shook the air.
Standing the guests drank the toast In
. 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 sideA As Ramek saw the fever
In the princes eye and noted the trem-
bling Of his jeweled hand he smiled ma
hciouSly and seemed to gain . few
pounds Of flesh.
After the guests were again seated
and quiet had been restored Prince
Hamassar began, In . trembling voice,
his reply TO Ramek's speech he was
much affected by conflicting emotions,
and at first his words were feebly nut
"It is hard to express the inner feel
lngE Of the heart at such time o. this"
b sid "The warm words Of my