The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-06-02
THE HUMMING TOP.

anu worn, Dut had in no respect
diminished his pride and aristocratic
elegance of bearing. Attired in gold
embroidered coat, such as men of his
ostinction are apt to wear when ly-
ing In funeral state, he started off on
Ihe direct road to heaven.
Marching along at a brisk pace, ne
PRESENTLY overlook and passed little
gioup, consisting of three most
Metched beings a white-haired.
palsied old pauper woman, a youth
!sfiom whose neck still dangled the
SSahlter which he had brought with
- from the closing scenes OF his
lSfe dramma, and poor little hump
ocked consumptive boy. or years
OH fron time to time, glanced low.
lngy alta toy cIasped close in his
hanG
Cont 0ierfiug arrived at the
gates of haven, and politely ad.
dressed st. Pter:
Pardon mw he began. II would
merely beg to Aquire
But the formr apostle and present
keeper OF the celstial gates Interrupt
ted him sternly:
"It's not your tlrn, The three be-
hind there. whom .ou passed on the
road. come first"
before me? 1 an Count Geier-
fiug, the Prime Miniser. have the
title of Excellency, amknight of in
Vulnerable orders, memAer of various
learned societies-and--n
"Up here we recognize neither
knight nor scholar"
"Yet your reverence was a kind of
knight yourself, and welded a dash
ing blade in the affair with Malchus. "
Peter silently regarded the smiling
speaker.
"And your reverance was also a
quasi scholar-or author-or-n
son earth l was only poor fisher.
man,"
"And yet" continued the Count
with a profound bow, "your reveren.
ce's Epistles are even more celebra.
ted than the world renowned letter
of Nine. de Sevigne."
Again Peter surveyed the fatterel
an utter silence, but with 80 penetrat
Tfaf gaze that the false courtier',
eys dropped beneath it.
In the meantime, the three pill
ghms had arrived.
No sooner did st. 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 name ?" he asked
the 0lQ woman.
"Brigitte Stegmaierin. ifyou please
holy st. Peter" she replied with {
courtesy.
"Precisely-Brigitte Stegmaierin. ,
replied st. Peter, pouring over hi
ledger. Then, in a grumbling tone
he continued:
"Debit: Has bitter bad tongu,
of her own While. charged to he
credit; She is wretchedly poor.'"
"Poor ~ cried the old crone, weep
ing and filnging up her arms "Got
is my witness that is true; and tn
holy Saint Peter himself knows tina
poverty is a gnawing pain"
"Well, WE'LL" said the apostl
gently; "go in. granny-go in. II
there there is no more poverty o
PAIN"
The young man with a halte
around his neck now stepped for
ward.
"Your name ?" demanded 81
Peter.
i rsVeit Kratzern."
"Stole a gold bracelet" read tn
apostle, with frown.
"Item: A purse full of money.
"Itena: The contents of the contri
button box of st. James Church."
St. Peter scowled fiercely at tn
youth, who shook like a leaf in tn
blast.
Credited He did it all at the in
stlgation and entreaty of his sweet
beart.' HIM! Did you love the wo
man so very much ?"
"AhW faltered the boy, "I coul
never tell you how much ! I"-
Enough !" broke in st. Peter
Don't talk to me about it, Be of
VIII you ? out of my sight"
What! In there ?" and the THE
pointed towards the gates.
"Well-yes. Only make haste o