The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-05-16

they heard him sob. "Hamassar, your
sentence / pronounce. Before to-mor-
rows sun has sct behind the hills your
head must fall. May the deities that
love our land be kind to YOU"
A dread silence followed these fateful
words. Hamassar's face was white, but
his lips trembled not Mt all. Suddenly
upon tho startled air arose q shrek aud,
rushing forward, tho Princess Bru sprang
up the stairway 10 the throne. Throw
ing her white arms about her fathers
neck she cried: "Oh, spare him! Spare
him! Save him for my sakey'
"Silcnce, my child" the emperor
sternly cried, though his hand touched
her shoulder lovingly. Remember you
IRE the daughter of king. Guards, re-
move the prisoner"
Most gracious lord" exclaimed q
white haired man pushing his way
through the throng. permit me word
before the prisoner departs"
Speak" said the emperor CURLY,
'but zee to 1t 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 is
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 1t
Prince Hxmassar's case. The witnesses
have shown that in an egotistic way he
boosted Of his nose. He spoke not Of
his head, nor claimed that any feature
bat his nose was worthy Of al 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 Cypress our
land, but to make our people modest.
Therefore say that its spirit will be
carried out in full IL Prince Hainassar's
nose Is severed from his face. Let him
lose that of which he Dragged, aud II, In
the future, he shall vsunt the beauty Of
lis cars, or call his hands unrivaled, let
further mutilation be his fate. This is
strict justice, and mercy and reason here
10 hand in hand"
A roar Of applause resounded through
the palace - the old mans clever speech
came to . sudden end. The emperor
looked pleased and seemed to reflect that
q nose Is not essential to . son-in.law.
The Princess Bru clapped her fair hands
delightedly, and even Hamassar seemed
to lay aside for moment his studied
and phlegmatic pose.
..Old man, you have spoken we'll" the
emperor said. "Your reasoning is most
profound. thereby revoke the sentence
just pronounced and decree that
Most gracious king, i" broke in Ramek,
-,shin9 forward. grant me y moment
uerorc you take another step.
"What means this noise. wise Ramek::'
the emperor cried. "You were not wont
to be rattlepate."
"Nor mn I making foolish interruption
now, my lord; but q . subject some
times useful to the state I crave your
notice to q word CT 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 Utmost
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 40 shall its influence for all
time be felt. Now, mark you! 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
boosted. 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
wecning satisfaction in his betrothed.
According. therefore, to our friends in
depreciation Hamassar's nose and your
own daughter, gracious king, must be
cut of. There is no middle course. II
the spirit Of the law demands the sac.
riAce of Prince Hamassar's nose it
cries out also for the blood Of the
Princess Bru. l put the matter
plainly, for this is a crisis when to mince
words would bc criminal. feel that
the death of Hamassar would be q ma
tional calamity. I have always loved
him we'll and have rejoiced in his I'D.
vancement. But tho life of one man
only is not here ut stake. II the law be
construed in loose and careless way
there Is no telling how cruel its applica-
ton may yet become. BY no. ling to
the letter Of this stern decree all danger
Is avoided. and precedent here SGT for
many generations yet unborn. Let
Hamassar rise to . joyous contempla-
ton Of the fact that In his death he will
confer upon posterity . great and last
ing boon. thank you much, o king,
for granting me this time. and hope that
you will understand my heart. I am