Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-09
THE RUNNING TOP.

ing somewhat pale and worn, but had il
no respect diminished his ptide and aris,-
tocratic elegance Of bearing. Attired in
a gold embroidered coat, such as men CT
his distinction are apt to wear when
lying in funereal state, ne started off On
the direct road to heaven.
Marching along at a brisk pace, lie
presently overlook and passed a little
group, consisting Of three most wretched
beings-a white haired, paisied old pauper
woman, youth, from whose neck still
dangled the halter which he had brought
with him from the closing scene of his
life drama, and poor little hump backed
consumptiye boy, 5 OK 6 years old, who,
from time to time, glanced lovingly at a
toy clasped close in his hand.
Count Geierfiu9 arrived at the gates Of
heaven, and politely addressed ST. Peter:
Pardon me-" he began, 81 would
merely beg to inquire'-
But the former apostle and present
keeper of the celestial gates interrupted
him sternly:
''It's NOT your turn. The three behind
there, whom you passed on the road,
come first"
Before nle2 / am Count Geierf1ug, the
prime minister. l have the title of excel
member of various learned societies.
and''-
"Up here we recognize neither knight
nor scholar"
E'Yet your reverence was kind OF
knight yourself, and welded dashing
blade in the affair with MalchuS.''
Peter silently regarded the smiling
speaker.
t'And your reverence was also quasi
scholar-or author-or''-
son earth I was only a poor fisher
man.
"And yet," continued the count, with
profound bow, 'your reverence's Epis-
ties are even more celebrated than the
world renowned letter OF Nine. de Sc
vigne."
Again Peter surveyed the fiatterer in ut
ter silence, but with SO penetrating gaze
that the false courtier's eyes dropped be-
meath it.
In the meantime, the three pilgrims had
arrived.
No sooner did Saint Peter see the boys
innocent face and crippled body than he
said kindly:
''Run in, little one This is the right
place for you"
The apostle then turned to a thick book
upon which, in golden letters, stood
Ledger"
What is your names'' he asked the old
woman.
''Brigitte Stegmaierin, if you please,
holy Saint Peter" she replied, with q
courtesy.
''Precisely-Brigitte Stegmaierin.' - re-
piled Saint Peter, porting over his ledger.
Then, in a gTumbling tone, he continued:
Debit: Has bitter bad tongue of her
own While, charged to her credit She
is wretchedly poor.
''Poorr' cried the old crone, weeping
and tlinging up her arms; ''God is my
witness that is true; and the holy Saint
Peter himself knows that poverty is
gnawing pain"
well, WELL" said the apostle gently;
Ego in, granny-on in. In there there is
no more poverty or pain"
The young man with a halter around
his neck now stepped forward.
''Your nameY demanded ST. Peter.
"Vet kratzerIl."
''Stole a gold bracelet" read the
apostle, with a frown.
Item: A purse full of money.
"Item: The contents of the contribu-
ton box of st. James church"
St Peter scowled iercely at the youth,
who shook like q leaf in the blast.
Credited: He did it all at the instiga-
ton and entreaty OF his sweetheart H'ml
Did you love the woman so very much''
"Ah" faltered the boy, II could never
tell you how much p
"Enoughp' broke in st. Peter. Don't
talk TO me about it, BE of, will you?
put of my sight,
T., M ha hs.e
pointed toward the gates.
"W elves. Only make haste or / may
repent my weakness.
Through the briefly opened portals the
fair forms and pitiful faces of two shining
angels We're revealed. One of them ten
derry wiped the tears from poor old Brig
ittes eyes, while the other, murmuring
mild and compassionate words. removed
the rope from Veit kratzern' 5 neck.
Now we are ready for you, remarked
Saint Peter TO the count, turning over
leaf after leaf of the ledger, and suddenly
excleiming in a horrihed toner.
THAT looks promising, indeed! Column
sitter column OF debit items, while nothing
stands to your credit-abSolutely nota-
ingr'
The count began poupCusly:
Il have advanced The commerce, manu-
features and agriculture OF my native
land. l have protected and promoted the
arts and sciences. l have built churches
and schools and orphan asylUmS and hos
pitfalls and poor houses ard
Peace. foolr' cried ST. Peter angrily.
"All that IS charged fast enough, not TO
your credit, but against you, because it
was done from ambition and selfshness
and ostentation and Hypocrisy"
My Efe's best work. continued the
eount, still more proudly, ''how l made
my fatherland great and glorious beyond
all lands on earth do not need TO men
ton, for presume my fame has long ago
assembled here"
''Your fame, = retorted Saint Peter, with
increasing indignation, has not reached
US. but.the groans of dying youths have
risen to US from your battle fields, and
from desolate homes the despair of moth
srs and brides; and tel you, wretch, if
you have nothing better than this &c urge,
YOU are a lest mani
The count grew still paler, and had not
a word 10 say for himself.
At this moment the little boy, lingering
on the threshold Of heaven, called out:
"AIr. Peterl Mr.. Peterr'
care you still there, my little nan?"
returned the apostle. why co you not
enterfn