The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-12
THE FATAL GIFT.

most beautiful of his wives, charming,
brilliant and witty. AS to her goodness he
never had doubt, for she always greeted
him with q smiling face aud praised and
s fattered him to his hearts content. You
must not think that Minus was a weak
monarch because he liked fattery. He was
strong and noble, good and generous. He
lived according to tradition, and to that
must we attribute many of his faults.
On this day, in his delight at the be.
witching loneliness of Semiramis, he said:
"You are the dearest to me of all my
wivesi For you could give up all the
others"
And Semiramis answered:
s'Does the king mean what he saysi
Suppose 1 should ask him to fulfill his
word and make me queen of Assyria?''
"Oh,' laughed the king, ''you would
reign with me. Do you think it so great
a privilege to reign? But think, you are
the queen when you reign over the king
by your beauty"
But Semiramis would not hear that.
She considered that she was only slave,
and at last the king gave his promise that
for one day she should be queen in reality
and reign alone over the kingdom.
The next morning Semiramis had he1
slaves array her in magnificent robes.
Then the king sent word that all the Off
GERS of state should assemble in the pres.
ence chamber. When all was ready, Minus
conducted Semiramis into the throne
room, and all the officers bowed low as
they entered. Leading her to the throne,
the king seated her and then turned to the
assembled court.
''For one day does Selniramis reign az
queen. Let all obey her as if she were the
king. Let him be punished who dares re-
fuse single request. myself am but
one of your servants, o queen" said Nj
nus turning to her, and then kneeling he
handed her the golden scepter.
Accept the symbol of sovereignty.
Weld it with sovereign's handl"
Then all the officers came and knelt be-
fore the queen, taking the oath to obey
and guard and protect her.
GLOW shall you use your power, Semir-
amis?'' whispered the king.
Wait and see" she said, smiling.
Then in a loud voice she called for the
secretary of the palace to approach the
throne. He came, and two slaves placed
table with writing materials before him.
| Then the queen commanded him to write:
| Let the governor of the citadel of Baby
Ion deliver up the command of the citadel
| to him who bears this order. This shall
he do under penalty of death Seal the
order with the kings seal and give it to
! me.
'Write: let the commander of the
slaves of the palace, under penalty of
! death, delives up the command to him
! who bears this order Seal that also with
the kings seal and give it to me.
''Now write yet again: Under penalty
of death the general of the army encamped
under the walls of Babylon is commanded
to deliver up his post to the bearer OF this
order!' Seal this and give it to me-
The three orders the queen put in her
bosom and dismissed the court, after di-
recting that in two hours all the people of
the palace should come to offer her gifts
as was customary on the accession of a
new prince.
Then Minus was alone with the queen.
He was more pleased than ever at her
royal behavior, though he could Tot IN
derstand it When he asked her how she
could be so calm, she answered:
LAS each one knelt to me 1 thought
what I would command him to do"
AS to the orders, she laughingly said
that she wanted revenge on the three
/ named persons.
First - she said, F'the governor of the
citadel frightens me when I see him, for
his eyes are crossed. The commander of
| the slaves threatens me with rivals and
the general OF the army is my enemy, for
heFkeeps my lord, my king, from me-
Then Minus laughed, more pleased than
ever.
$50, . said he ''for very sufficient rea-
sons are the three heads of the empire dis
missed. y
In due time came the courtiers with
their gifts. They offered jewels and robes,
and those who had not these things
brought flowers and fruits. At the end of
the procession came three slaves, without
gifts. They had come with Semiramis
from the Caucasus and had defended the
caravan of women from huge tiger. To
them Semiramis said:
"And have you brought me nothing to
show your loyalty"
Nothing, replied Zofre ''but my life
to defend you"
'No gift, y said Artaban, 'but my saber
against my queens enemies. .
''And have nothing, - said Assar, 'but
the respect and admiration that the
queens presence inspires. -
''Slaves," said the queen, 'you have
given me the most valuable gifts. 1 will
remember you. You, Zofire take this Or
der to the commander CT the citadel and
see what he will give you. Artaban, take
this to the general of the army. And you,
Assar, take this to the commander Of the
slaves of the palace
The king was astounded at the wonder
full knowledge and tact of the queen and
complimented her, but she only smiled.
He even thought no i'll when for a trivial
fault she had the head of a eunuch cut off
and placed on stake at the entrance to
the palace.
That night a grand fete was given.
When the repast was flushed and the wine
stood on the table, Senliramis rose.
"One grandee of the palace she said,
''has given me nothing today. 1 am dis
pleased
Then the king said: "Who is it? He
shall be punished.
The king smiled and came forward.
Kneeling he asked pardon, but she would
not pardon.
Foolish child" he said "this farce
will soon be over
''Wil you be angry then9' whispered
Semiramis.
No" said the king.
Then the queen called aloud: