Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-15
TIE RUNNING TOP.

TIE RUNNING TOP.
Count Geierfug, the mightiest min
lister of the realm. had breathed his
last His final moments on earth had
left him looking somewhat pale and
worn. but hard i'm no respect diminished
his pride and aristocratic elegance OF
bearing. Attired in gold embrOider-
ed coat, such as men of his distinction
are apt to wear when lying in funeral
state. he started off on the direct road
to heaven.
Marching along at brisk pace, he
presently overlook and passed a little
9roup, consisting of three most wretch
ed beings; a white-haired, palsied old
pauper woman, youth from whose
neck still dangled the halter which he
had broaght with him from the closing
scenes Of his life drama, and a poor
little hump-backed consumptive boy,
5 or 6 years old, who, from time to
time, glanced lovingly at a toy clasped
close in his hand.
Count Geierliug arrived at the gates
of heaven, and politely addressed St.
Peter
Pardon me-" he began, 81 would
But the former apostle and present
keeperof the celestial gates interrupted
him sternly:
ats not your turn. The three be-
hind there, whom you passed on the
road, come first"
Before me? | amtCount Geierfug,
the Prime Minister. / have the title OF
Excellency, am knight of innumerable
I, To-, ID
societies aud"
up here we recognize neither
knight nor scholar"
yet your reverence was a kind of
knight Yourself, and welded dashing
blade in the affair with Malbhus."
Peter silently regarded the smiling
speaker.
And yoWr reverence was also a
quasi schoiar-or author-or-"
ION earth ] was only poor fisher
man.
And ygt," continued the Count,
with profound bow. your reyeren-
,ces EpistIcs are even more celebrated
than the world renowned letter of
Mime. de .Scvigre."
Again Peter surveyed the fiatterer in
utter silence, but with so penetrating
gaze that the false courtier's eyes
dropped beneath it.
In the meantime, the three pilgrims
had arrived.
No sooner did st. Peter see the boys
innocent face and crippled body than
he said kindly:
Run ~, litfle.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
old woman.
.'Brgitte Ste@maierin, if you please,
holy st. Peter" she replied with 4
courtesy.
''Precisely-Brigette Stegmaierin."
replied St. Peter. pouring over his
ledger. Then, in grumbling tone, he
continued;
Debit: Has bitter bad tongue of
her own While, charged to her
credit: She IS wretchedly poor"
Poor" cried the old crone, weep
ing and hinging up her arms; God IS
my witness tHat is true; and the holy
Saint Peter himself knows that poverty
is gnawing pain
We'll. we'll. said the apostle gently;
''go in, granny-go III. In there there
is no more poverty or pain.
The young man with halter around
his neck now stepped forward.
''Your name?' demanded ST. Peter.
''Neit KratZern."
..Stole a gold bracelet" read the
apostle, with frown.
Item; A purse full Of money.
''Item: The contents of the contri-
button box OF ST. James Church.
ST. Peter scowled lerceiy at the
youth, who shook like a leaf in the
blast.
Credited: He did it all at the in
stigaton and entreaty of his sweet
heart HIM! Did you love the woman
SO very much?"
4'Ahr' faltered the boy. Il could
never tell YOU how much! =
''Enough" broke in St. Peter.
Don't talk to me about it. Be off,
will you? out of my sight"
''What! In there?' and the thief
pointed towards the gates.
..Well-yes. Only make haste or
may repent my weakness"
TnTo' the briefly opened portals the
fair forms and pitiful faces of two
shiling angels were revealed. One of
them tenderly wiped the tears from
poor old Brigitte's eyes, while the
other. murmuriug mild and compass
sionate words, removed the rope from
Veit kratzern's neck.
Now we are ready for YOU" re-
marked St. Peter to the Count. turning
over leaf after leaf of the ledger. and
suddenly exclaiming in a horrible
tone:
THAT looks promising indeed! Col
umn after column of debit items while
nothing stands to your credit-abso-
lutely nothing!"
Tie Count began pompously:
I have advanced the commerce,
manufactures and agriculture of my
native land. | nave protected and
promoted the arts and sciences. /
have built churches and schools and
orphan asylums and hospitals and
poor-houses and"
peace, fool" cried Saint Peter, an
gaily. AL that is charged fast
enough, not to you rcredit but against
you, because it was done from ambi-
ton and selfshness and ostentation
and hypocrisy"
.'Mv life's best work" continued the