Winyah Observer

              Irt
E. WATERMAN, Jr., J. W. TARBOX,
Pkoprietors.
Devoted to News, General IntelJigence, Miscellany, &c.
B. H. WILSON, Edito*.
V6LX.
Georgetown, S. C, Wednesday, June 6, 1850.
No. 634
WINYAH     0 B S E R V E 11. j) making oalh   to execute blindly the or-
  I ders of Semiramis.    When the ceremo-
pRiNTED AND pt,-Bt,isHED wEtKLY BY ny wfis finished, ihc King made her his
Waterman & Tarbox.       compliments, and asked her how she had
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grave and majeslical an air.
" While ihey were promising to obey me said Semiramis, "I was thinking what I should command each of them  to
"No other," replied the fust, Zophire, than my life to defend her."
" None other," replied tlie second, Artabnn, "than my sabre ngninst her enemies."
"None other," replied the liiird, As- sar, " than the respect and admiration which her presence inspires."
"Slaves," said Semiramis, " it is you
said he, " pardon me."    And he added , At any  other place.    Sufferer.'? 6f rfleu- ; in a lower tone, "I would that this fete \ maiisin limped along liit thijy arrived at were finished." ' th?   headquarters   of  "O'   be   joyful;"
" You wish, then, that I .should abili- , luu ses were harnessed by tliose "out of cafe?" said Semiramis. "But no—I j! lea or tobacco, salt or molasses," and have still Iwo hours to reign;" and at • the rush at " t/ial store" was tren>eDdot». Ihe same lime she wilhdrew her hand, |j Nate vvas in Uie crowd,—one of (fie liead which the king was covering with kiss-1 ones—although he vvas on "Shanks' es.    " I pardon nol," said she, in a loud j mare"    In one hand he haJ a twoqii*rf
do.    I have but one duy  of power  and I who have made the most valuable pres- | voice, " such an insult on ihe part of a jj jug. streaked wilh treacle, for rum, and
The Queen Semiramis.
" Op all my wives," said King Ninus lo Semiramis, " it is you I love besl. None have charms and graces like you, and for you I would willingly resign ihem all."
" Let ihe King consider well wiiat he
shall employ it well."
The King laughed at this reply. Se¬ miramis appeared more piquante and amiable lhan ever.
" Let us see," said Ninus, "how you will continue your part. By what or¬ ders will you begin ?"
" Let the secretary of the King ap¬ proach my throne," said Semiramis, in a loud voice.
The secretary approached ; two slaves
enls of the whole court, and I will not be |l slave. Slave, prepare thyselflodic." j '» hi s fiocket a pint flask/o/- molasset. ungrateful. You have offered me your | "Silly child that thou arl," said Ni- ll He told his folks, however, that the jug sword against my enemies, take this or- jj "us, still on his knees; "yet I give wav !| "'^s l*^ be filled vviih the "long sugar," der, carry it to ihe general of the army I •<> thy , folly ; but patience, thy reign j| but said nothing of the bottle. Suffice encamped under the  vvalls of Babylon, » will soon he over." ji it tosay that eacii vessel was filled—thei
give it to him, and see what he vvill do j " You will not, then, be angry,' said , larger wilh "New England"—and about for you.    You have offered me yourlife | *'"?. in a whisper, " at .somelhing  I am   t^U"*'' he was on his way home, fully de-
says, ' replied  Semiramis.    " What ifl ' placed a little table before him.
vvere to take him at his word I"
" Do so," replied the monarch ; " vvhile beloved by you, 1 am indifferent to oth¬ ers."
'So, then, \(l asked It," said Semira-
" Write," said Semiramis : ' Under penally of death, the governor of the cit¬ adel of Babylon is ordered to yield up the command ofthe citadel to him vvho shall bear to him this order."    Fold this
for my defence, take thi.« order to the governor of the citadel, and see what he vvill do for you. And you, who offer me the respect and admiration which my presence inspires, take this order to the commandant of the palace, and see \V'hat vvill be the result." Never had  Semiramis  displayed   so
going to order at this moment ?"
"No," snid he.
"Slaves," said she aloud, "seize this man—that Ninus."
Ninus, smiling, put himself into the hands ofthe slaves.
" Take him out ofthe saloon, lead him into the court of ihe seraglio,  prepare
much gayety, so much folly and so much I everything for his death, and await my grace,and never vvas Ninus so capiiva- i orders,"
mis, "you would banisii ai'i youi' Qther « order, seal it wilh the King's seal,  and
wives and love me alone? I should be alone your consort, the partaker ofyour power, and Queen of Assyria ?'
"Queen of Assyra! Are you not so already," said Ninus, "sinceyou reign by your beauty over its King?"
" No—no," answered his lovely mis¬ tress ; "lam at present only a slave whom you love. I reign not: 1 merely charm. When I give an order you are consulted before I am obeyed."
"And to reign, then, you think so great a pleasure ?"
" Yes to one who has never experi¬ enced it."
"And do you wish, then to experi¬ ence it ? Would you like lo reign a few days in my place ?"
" Take care, O King! do nol offer t«o much."
" No, I repeat it," said the captivated monarch. "Would you like, for one whole day to be sovereign mistress of Asurria ?    If you  would, I consent to
" And will all which I comrnand then be executed ?"
" Yes ; I vvill resign to you, for one entire day, my power and my golden sceptre."
" And when shall this be ?"
" To-morrow, ifyou like."
" I do," said Semiramis ; and she lel her head fall upon the shoulder of the king, like a beautiful svoman asking par¬ don for some caprice which has been yielded to.
The next morning Semiramis called her women, and commanded them to dress her magnificently. On her head •he wore a crown of precious stones, and appeared thus belore Ninus, who, enchanted vvith her beauty, ordered all the officers ofthe palace to assemble   in
deliver to me this decree.    Write now
ted.    Nor vvere her ciijrms lessened  in his eyes, when a slave, not having exe-
' Under penalty ofdealh, the governor of   cuted properly  an   insignificant  order,
the slaves of the palace is ordered to re¬ sign the command of the slaves into the hands of the person who shall present to h^m this order.' Fold it, seal it vvith the King's seal, and deliver to me this de¬ cree. Write again, ' Under penalty of dealh, the general of the army encamped under the vvalls of Babylon is ordered to resign the command ofthe army to him vvho shall be the bearer of this order.' Fold, seal, and deliver this decree to me."
She took three orders thus dictated, and put them in her bosom. The whole court vvas struck vvith consternation; the King himself was surprised.
" Listen," said Semiramis.    " In two hours hence let all the  oflicers of the I State come and offer me presents, as is; the custom on the accession of new prin-1 ces, and lel a festival  bo prepared for this evening.    Now let all depart.    Let I my failhful servant Ninus alone remain. | I have to  consult him  upon affairs of State."
When all the rest had gone out— "You see," said Semiramis, "that I know how to play the queen." Ninus laughed.
" My beautiful queen," said he, "you play your part to astonishment. But if yourservant may dare to question you, what vvould you do vvilh the orders you havedictatetl ?"
" I should be no longer queen, vvere I obliged to give account of my actions. Nevertheless, this vvas my motive. I have a vengeance to execute against the three officers whom these orders me nace."
" Vengeance, and wherefore ?"
" The first, the governor of the  cita
the state chamber, and his golden sceptre ij del, is one-eyed, and frightens mc every tobe brought from the treasury. He | time I meet him; the second, the chief then entered the chamber, leading Semi- j ofthe slaves, I hale because he threatens ramis by the hand. All prostrated ! me with rivals ; the third, the general of themselves before the aspect ofthe King,'! the army, deprives me too often of your who conducted Semiramis tolhe throne,; company; you  are  conslantly   in  the
and sealed her upon it. Then ordering the whole assembly to rise, he announc¬ ed to the court that they were to obey, during the whole day, Semiramis as himseif. So saying he lookup the gold¬ en sceptre, and placing it in the hands of Semiramis.
"Queen," said he, "I commit to 3'Ou the emblem of sacred power; take it, and command with sovereign authority. All here are your slaves, and I myself and nothing more than your servant for the whole of this day. Whoever shall be remiss in excuting your orders, let him be punished a« if he had disobeyed the commands of the king."
Having thus spoken, the King knelt down before Semiramis, who gave him with a smiie her hand to kiss. The cour- tMn then patted  in  succession, each
camp.
This reply, in vvhich caprice and flat¬ tery weie mingled, enchanted Ninus.
" Qood," said he, laughing. " Here are the three first officers of the empire dismissed for very suflicient reasons."
The genllemen ofthe court novv came to presenl their gifts to the queen. Some gave precious stones, others, of a lower rank, flowers and fruils, and the slaves, having nothing to give, gave nolhing. Among these last were three young brothers, who had come from the Cauca¬ sus vvilh Semiramis, and had rescued the caravan, in vvhich the women were, from an enormous tiger. When they passed the tlirone.
" And you said she to the three broth¬ ers, " have you no present to make your queen ?"
she commanded his head to be struck off) which vvas immediately done.
Without bestowing a thought on this trivial mailer Ninus slill conlinued to converse wilh Semiramis lill the even¬ ing and the fete arrived. When she en¬ tered the saloon vvhich had been prepared for the occasion, a slave brought her a plate in which was the head of the de¬ capitated eunuch.
" 'Tis vvell," said she, after having ex¬ amined it. " Place ilon B slake in the court ofthe palace, that all may see il, and be you there on the spot to proclaim to every one, that the man to whom this head belonged lived three hours ago, but that having disobeyed my will, his head vvas separated from his body."
The/e/e was magnificent; a sumptu¬ ous banquet vvas prepared in the gardens, and Semiramis received the homage of all wilh a grace perfactly regal; she con¬ tinually conversed wilh Ninus, render¬ ing him the most distinguished honor. " You are," said she "a foreign king come to visit me in my palace; I must make your visit agreable lo you."
Shortly after, the banquet was served. Semiramis confounded and reversed all ranks. Ninus vvas placed ot the bottom ofthe lable. He vvas first to laugh al this caprice: and the court, lollowing Ilis example, allowed themselves to be pJaced, without murmuring, according to the will of ihe queen. She seated near herself the three brothers from the Caucasus.
" Are my orders executed ?" she de¬ manded of them.
" Yes," they replied, jb Tlhe fete was very gay. ^^ slave hav¬ ing, by the force of habit, served the king first, Seiriiramis had him beaten vvith rods. His cries mingled vvith the laugh¬ ter of the guests. Every one vvas inclined lo merriment. It vvas a comedy in vvhich each played his part. Toward the end of the repast, when vvine hail added lo the general gayety, Semiramis rose from her elevated seat, and said— "My lords, the treasurer of the empire has read me a list of those who this morning, have brought me their gifts of congratulation on my joyful accession to the throne. One grandee alone of the court has failed lo bring his gift."
"Who is il?" cried Ninus, "He must be punished severely."
" It is you yourself, my lord—you who speak. What have you given to the queen this morning?"
Ninus roje and came wilh a smiling countenance to whisper something in the ear of the queen. " The queen is insult¬ ed by her servant,'' exclaimed Setiiira- iiiis. "I embrace your knees to obtain my I pardon.    Pardon me, beautiful queen,"
The slaves obeyed, and Ninus follo'v- ed them, laughing into the court of the seraglio. They passed by the head oi the disobeying eunuch. Then Semira¬ mis placed herself on a balcony. Ninus j had suffered his hands lo be tied.
" Hasten to the fortress, Zophire ; you lo the camp Artaban ; Assar, do you se¬ cure all the gates in the palace."
These orders vvere given in a whis¬ per, and executed immediately.
" Beauliful queen," said Ninus, laugh¬ ing; " this comedy only wants its denou- ment; pray let it be a prompt one."
" I will," said Semiramis. "Slaves, recollect the eunuch—strike I"
They struck. Ninus had hardly time lo utter a cry when iiis head fell upon the pavement; the smile was still upon his lips.
" Novv I am queen of Assyria!" ex¬ claimed Semiramis, " and perish every one, like the eunuch and like Ninus, who dare disobey my orders."
Getting Tight on Snow.
Nate B -e was one ofthe "curious"
fellows—perhaps he was as comical a chap as ever the Granite Stale produced; j full of fun and frolic—a great lover of rum and stories. The following will show one of his frolics, and prove to a demonstration that a man can get tight on snow:
" When the temperance " spirit" was ranging "slrong" in Nevv Hampshire, il made considerable ofa "stir" in a small town in the northern patt ofthe Stale. The selectmen belonged to the anti-rum party, and "no license" vvas their edict to the rum-sellers, and " no ruin" vvas the word ofthe sellers to the "suckers." This proceeding brought on a drought— a very "dry lime;" the old soakers ivilt- ed, " regular-horns" " dropped oflT," and, in fact, temperance in that tovvn was universal for a season. Several red noses vanished, and visa versa pale faces began to assume a reddish tinge ; thus^ for a lime, things wagged. ;
However this state of ihiM^ could nol for a great while be endure^^.il vvas "an interference with the right'^ ofthe natural-born lovers of Rum and -I^iberty 1 in that staunch old lown, and thosiit'Vyho inwardly fell the oppressor's hand most heavily, " talked the thing over" privatei^ ly, and, as Nate said, " By-an'-by they all agreed lo have some rum." Soon after this conclusion, il was well under' stood,  by  " the right  sort,"   that  Mr.
F s, a storekeeper, had " been down
to Boston, and got some of the critter." The announcement of the trader's re-^ turn was electric; eyes that had been dim flashed fire ; the parched mouths in¬ stantly sent forth a flood of water at the
terinined lo keep the transaction shady. On arriving al the fence in front ofhis house, Nate felt prelly active, and, al¬ though he had not svvallo^ved  a drop of his  heart's delight,"   in   attempting  tvt leap the rails, he slipped on  the snov», hit his jug against the fence,  smashed "the brown-earlhern,"   and  sp'lled  his rum!    For  a monryent Ms heatl sank within him; it vvas Saturday night, and all hi-s imagined fun on tlie next day, v*a* j then dissolving the pure snow at hisifeil Quick as lightening a thought struck him —a glorious ihought—"a sobfer second thought"—and Nate drew from bis poelt' et his handkerchief, comnTiencedscraping up the snow on   which  his rum   was spilled, and tied it up in the large ban¬ danna.    Hope  again "^stuck ottt," j^el Nate was somewhat doubtful bow tb# thing would end; be was very fearftfl lesl " the fuddle" would all evaporate be¬ fore he gol hotne, but as the experiment didn't cost much he thoughi be vyooki try it, at any rale.    On this arrival at the house he placed  the snow in a pot and carefdiy covered it.    Then, with Hope 17, and Doubt "larger"' lhan h» wished it, he retired.
Morning came—Sabbath tnorxi'in^—a solemn, worshipful look rested on the face of Nate B-=-e; his good wife eft' deavored to pursuade him lo accompany her to the church, but, poor man! ha was sorry that he was t6oiUnv«'ell lo da so.    At the proper hour, his wife started ; and scarcely had  the ddor closed ailet her  before Nate had raised  the cover from the   pot   before   mentioned^ and "smelt the snow;" the fumes £(sc'einded in hopeful order and Nate's   hearl beat almosl audibly from the conflict wilhin* beiween hope and fear, as he placed the pot over the hot fire; the snow soort yielded to the heai,  and the handher' chief-full of snow dissolved   itself into about one  pint of liquid.    This donCj Nate " tried il" to see if it was dooked enough  for  use;   his strongest Wishes vvere more than realised—^he poUied in some molasses, shook in a litlle  black pepper, thus making what he called  "a hot sling," of whifch he  partotik quite freely.    " And" Said Nate, when telling this story, "ofall the tight "tights" that evei I had, that b'iled snoiv gave ttie (he
d sl one!    I   was   so  tight  Ihtit I
couldn't open my eyes or mouth fot tWo days, and when my eyes did open, t wa« so tight that I expected every moment to see my hend b-Urit open and Jiy all about the room.
" Mv SON," said an old turbaned Turk one day, taking his child by the hand, in the sireets of Cairo, and pointing out to hitn, on the (apposite side, a French* man jusl imported, in all the .elegtinca of Parisian costume; "My son, look there! if you ever forget God and the I'rophet you riiay come to look likt that r
Quite Popular—Some ai the New York dancing masters have inti'oduced a new cotillion, called the ' Kissing Co*
     tillion,' the pecuhar feature of which, it,
thought of "the gdod  time coming ;"j yo\i kiss the lady as you swing the cor- jugs and small bottles were in great de-1 ners.
mand,  and  " groceries"  were " belter       All the beaux like  it, and ao dtf (to and cheai>cr" at Mr. F-^-^—s's store than | belles—the dance we mean.