Devils Lake weekly world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1914, 1913-06-27
She Wouldn't
Discuss 1t
By EDWARD K. BLUNT

| IN past times grown gradually lutO
power They have usually attempted
to grasp and use it all at once unaided
by the experience of men.
When, many centuries ago, King
Policlack died he left the crown to his
daughter, the Princess Miranda. Queen
Miranda was one of those women who
by nature crave leadership. The queen.
who from an early age had been inter-
/ ested in the emancipation of her sex,
1 upon her accession proposed to keep
| the power in her own bands. She
would not be continually consulting
persons, as is common with presidents
of the United States. nor would she
| permit her heads Of departments to de-
bate with her But she didn't intend
! to be autocratic, she said.
What she did intend was not to be
! beaten hither and thither like ship
without rudder Moreover, she prid-
ed herself upon her legal attachments
and declared that all her acts should
be judicial.
Soon after her accession while the
queen was holding an audience her
chief justice begged an interview and
stated that q certain tax that had been
proposed at her instigation was uncon-
stitutionaI. The queen heard him
through to the end-with difficulty
then said to him:
Your arguments are all wrong. The
tax is an excellent one. 1t will be
adopted"
I'm what respect, your majesty. are
my arguments defectve?" asked the
chief justice.
II will not discuss the matter" re-
piled the queen.
The chief justice gave the queen one
look Of establishment and withdrew.
The minister of foreign affairs entered
"Your majesty" he said, "our neigh
bors, the Polyphemians, have demand
ed an indemnity for an incursion re-
Gently made by some Of your subjects
into their territory whereby much
grain and other property were de-
stroyed."
"Give me an account Of the natter"
said the queen.
The minister narrated the facts, end
ing up with the statement that the
Polyphemians were entitled to be paid
for their losses.
You are all wrong" said the queen.
Il am quite familiar with international
law. and in this case no indemnity
should be paid"
But, your majesty
II will not discuss the matter"
The foreign minister. who had for
many years kept the late king at peace
with his neighbors. stood for a mo-
ment looking as If the earth had
opened before him and was about to
swallow him up; then, bowling low, left
the royal presence.
The next caller was the minister of
state. who desired to dissuade the
queen from bill she had set her heart
on. 1t was to tax bachelors He re-
ceived the same replies as the Others
The queen said he was all wrong in the
matter
But your majesty has not heard
the reasons why l fear detrimental
effect from this bill If passed"
"Nor do wish to hear them. That
would involve discussion. and I will
not discuss the matter"
The commander in chief Of the army
came in next The queens foreign
policy was already showing signs OF
disturbing her amicable relations with
neighboring powers. and. fearing war
he had called with view to urge an
increase of the army.
II am for peace" was the queens
laconic reply to his arguments.
"But, your majesty, there is an I'd.
age In time Of peace prepare'"-
Ehe queen cut him short with the
usual refusal to discuss the matter
and the general got out like the resi-.
It was not long before the minister
Of internal revenue announced that
mob had gathered to resist the en-
forcement Of the tax she had levied
The minister Of foreign affairs reported
that the Polyphemians had given hea
ambassador his walking papers. Tht
minister of state sent word that nine
tenths Of the bachelors Of the kingdom
had moved across the border into tina,
of the Polyphemians, thus deprivinl
her of their services In case Of wal
and becoming an auxiliary to the kinf
Of Polyphemia. The general in chiel
OF the army reported that, a war beinf
att hand. he would like instructions a.
to the disposition Of her meager forces
The only one Of these officials tn,
. queen replied to was the general /,
, chief. whom she condescended to asl
what she had better do. He repliet
that any opinion from him would b.
+ tnsubordinate, inasmuch az he vel
knew her majesty was not accustomed
, to discuss her measures with her head
, ofdepartments. Besides, since she wa
FOR peace doubtless she had othe
, methods of preserving It than by tn
, unholy method of war
, There was now no time for the Queel
: to discuss the matter" for the Poly
phemians came down with a larg
, army. the vanguard ;of which was con
D posed Of the taxed bachelors. Tn
8 queen was deposed. and one of til
q bachelors, the worst old baldheade{
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