New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-02-22
the Hs'hM NG TOP.
Translated from the German of Thsobold
Gross by Blanche Willis Howard

I dEoSS spy bfancffe Willis Howard.
Count Geierfug, the mlghtiest min
lister OF che realm, had breathed bis
last. His inal 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 a gold EN-.
| broidered coat such as men Of his dis
tinction are apt to wear when living in
funeral state, he started off ON the di-
rect road to heaven.
Marching along at a brisk pace, he
presently overlook and passed little
group, consisting Of three most
wretched beings; 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
poor little hump-backed consump.
tive boy, 5 or 6 years old, who, from
time to time, glanced lovingly at a
toy clasped close in his hand.
Coun5 Geierfug arrived at the gates
| ofheaven: and politely addressed St.
Peter:
"Pardon me- he began, 81 would
merely beg to inc ulre--''
But the former apostle and present
keeper Of the celestial gates interrupt
ed him sternly:
cts not your turn. The three be-
hind there, whom you passed on the
road, come first
Before me? am Count Geierfug,
the Prime Minister. have the title
OF EScellency, am knight of innumer-
! able orders, members of various
Learned societies-and--"
up here we recognize neither knight
nor scholar"
"1et your reverence was a. kind of
knight yourself, and welded a dash
ing blade int the affair with Malchus."
| Peter silently regarded the smiling
speaker.
"And your reverence was also q
quasi scholar-or author-or-'
'On earth was only poor fisher
| man"
Sand yet" continued the Count,
with profound bow, ''your rever-
ence's Epistles are even more celebrat-
ed than the world-renowned letter of
Nine. de Sevlgne"
Again Peter surveyed the fatterer
in utter silence, but with so penetrat-
ing a gaze that the false courtier ewes
dropped beneath 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 III golden letters,
stood Ledger"
What is your name?" he asked the
old woman.
"Brigitte Stegmaierin, ifyou please,
holy Saint Peter" she replied, with a
courtesy
"Precisely-Brigitte. stegmaierin, ;"
replied Saint Peter, pouring over his
ledger. Then, in a grumbling tone, he
continued: 'tDebit:: HAS a bitter
bad tongue Of her own While, charg-
ed TIC her credit: sShe is wretchedly
poor.
"Poor" cried the old crone. weeping
and finging up her arms; 'sGod is my
witness that is true; and the holy
Saint Peter himself knows, thai pow
erty is Il gnawing pain"
"Well, we'll. saldthe apostle gently;
ego in, granny-onsin. In there there
IS no more poverty Or pain"
The young man with q halter
around his neck stepped forward.
"Iour name?" demanded St. Peter.
"Veit Kratzern
"Stole a gold bracelet read the
apostle, with a. frown.
Item: A purse full of money.
"Item: The contents OF the contri-
button box OF ST. James Church.
st. Peter soowled fercely at the
youth, who, shook like q. LEAF in the
blast.
Credited: 'He did it all at the in
stigation and entreaty Of his sweet
heart HIM! Did you love the wom-
an SO very much?'
"Ah!' falDered the boy, "I could
never tell you how much! T'-
Enough broke In st. Peter.
Don't talk to me about it. Be of,
will you? out OF my sight"
"What! In there?" and the thief
pointed toward the gates.
"Well-yes. Only make haste or
may repent my weakness"
Thro' the briefly opened portals the
fair forms and pitiful faces OF two
shining angels were revealed. One OF
them tenderly wiped the tears from
poor old Brigitte's eyes, while the 9TH
er, murmuring mild and compassion
ate words, removed the rope frona
Veit Kratzern's neck.
"Now we are ready for YOU" re-
marked SAINT Peter to the Count,
turning over leaf after leaf of thu ledg.
er, and suddenly exelaiming In q hor.
rifed tone:
THAT looks promising, indeedt Col
amn after column Of debit items while
nothing stands to to your credit alb
soluteiy' nothingp'
The Count began pompously,
II have advanced the conan cree,
manufactures and agriculture OF my
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