The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-02-24
the RuRMING TOP.
Translated from the German OF Theobold
Gross by Blanche Willis Howard.

lister OF the realm, had breathed his
last. His final moments on earth had
left him looking somewhat pale and
worn, but had in no respect diminish
ed his pride and aristocratic elegance
OF bearing. Attired in gold EN-
broidered coat, such as men OF his lis
tinction are apt to wear when lying in
funeral state, he started off on the di-
rect road to heaven.
Marching along at u brisk pace, he
presently overlook and passed u little
group. consisting OF three most
wretched beings; u white. haired, pal
sled old pauper woman, ayouth, from
whose neck still dangled the halter
which he had brought with him from
the closing scene OF his life drama. and
a poor little hump.backed consump.
tive boy. 5 or 6 years old, who, from
time to time, glanced lovingly ut a
toy clasped close in his hand.
Count Geerllug arrived at the gates
OF heaven, and politely addressed St.
Peter:
"Pardon me-" he began, ~ would
merely beg to inquire"
But the former apostle and present
keeper OF the celestial gate, interrupt
ed him sternly:
cts not your turn. The three be-
hind there, whom you passed on the
road, come first
"Before me? lam Count Geiorlng,
the Prime Minister. have the title
OF Excelency, am knight OF innumcr-
able orders, members OF various
learned societies--and--"
"tp here We recognizeneither knight
nor scholar"
Yet your reverence was u kind OF
knight yourself, and welded n dash
ing blade in the affair with Malchus." :"
Peter silently regarded the smiling
speaker.
"And your reverence was also ~
quasi scholar--or author-or-"
"On earth | was only poor fisher
man."
"And yet" continued the Count,
with n profound bow, "your rever.
ence's Epistles are even more cclebrat-
ed than he worltl-rcnowned letter OF
Nine. tle Sevlune"
Again Peter surveyed the llatterer
in utter silence, hut with so penctrat-
ing u gaze that the false courticr ewes
drooped beneath it,
In the meantime, the three pilgrims
had arrived.
No sooner did Saint Peter see the
boys innocent iace and crippled body
than ho said kindly:
"Rum in, little one. This is the right
place for you"
The apostle hen turned to II thick
book upon which in golden letters,
stood "I.edger."
"What is your nane?" he asked the
old woman.
"BrIgitte Stegmaerir,, ifyou please,
holy Saint Peter" she replied, with
courtesy.
"Precisely-Brigitte stesmaerin,"
replied Saint Peter, pouring over his
ledger. Then, in u grumbling tone, he
continues: "Dcbit: HAS u bitter
bad tongue OF her own While, charg.
ed TIC her credit: She is wretche,ly
poor. ."
"Poor." cried the old cronc. weeping
and tlinsing up her arms; "God is my
witness that is true and the holy
Saint Peter himself knows that pov.
erty is II gnawiny pain"
"Well, well. ;" said the apostle gently;
"go in, granny-on in. In there there
IS no more poverty or pain"
The young man with II halter
around his neck stepped forward.
'Nour name?" demanded st. Peter.
"Neit Krntzcrn."
"Stole ~ gold bracelet" real the
apostle, with II irown.
"Item: A purse iull OF money.
"Item: The contents OF the contri
button box OF st. James Church"
st. Peter scow!ed lierccly at the
youth, who shook like % l,n. in the
blast.
"Credited: 'lIc did it all ut the in.
stigation and entrcnty OF his sweet
heart HIN, Did you love the won,-
al 80 very much?"
"Ah"' falrered the boy. "I could
never tell you how much P'-
Enough" broke in st. Peter
Don't talk to me about it. BE oil,
Will you. out oil my sight.
"What. In there" and the thief
pointed toward the gates.
"Wel--yes. Only make haste or
may repent my weakness"
Thro' the briefly opened portals Tho
fair forms and pitiiul faces OF two
shining angels were revealed. One oi
them tenderly wiped :hc tears rom
poor old Bri.ttc's eyes. while the 9th
er, murmuring mild and compassion.
ate words, removed the rope from
Net kratZern's neck.
"Now we are rca'ly for YOU" rc.
marked SAINT Pc,cl to the Count,
er, and suddenly excluimins IN IL hor.
ritied tone:
'1'hat looks promising. indeed. Col
umn after column oi debit items while
nothing stands to to your cretlt-ab-
solutcly not hing,'
The Count began pompouSly:
81 have advanced the commerce,
manufactures and agriculture oi my
native land. have protected dnd
promoted the arts and sciences. |
have built churches and schools and
asylums and hospitals and poor
houses und-"
"Pcace, fool" cried Saint Peter,
an.rily. "All that is charged fast
enough, not to yourrrcait but against
you, because it was done from ambi- |
tion ana sellishness and ostentation
and Hypocrisy"
"My life's Test work." continued the
Count, still more proudly, "now
made my fathrrland great and gori-
GUS beyond all lands on earth do
not need to mention, for ! presume
my lame has long ago assembled here"
"four lame" retorted Saint Peter
with increasing Indignation, has not
reached us, but the groans OF dying |
youths have risen to II, from your
battlc.iiclds, and from iesolate homes
the despair Of mothers and brides;
and tell you, wretch, ii you have
nothing better than this to urge, you
are lost mani"
The Count grew still paler. and had
not a word to say iol himself.
At this moment the little boy, lin
gering on the threshold ofheuven, call.
ed out:
"Mr. Peter. Mr.. Peter
care yon still there, my little man."
returned the apostle. why do you
not enter"
Instead OF replying to the question,
the little fellow said:
"Mr. Peter, do you see this hum.
ming top" Saint Peter returned indul-