The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-02-24
THE HUMMING TOP.

no respect diminished his pride and aris-
tocratic elegance Of bearing. Attired in
n gold embroidered coat, such as men OF
his distinction are apt to wear when
lying in funereal state, he started OIL On
the direct road TO heaven.
Marching along at brisk pace, he
presently overlook and passed little
group, consisting Of three most wretched
beings-a white haired, palsied Old pauper
woman. a 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
consumptive boy, 8 or years old, who,
from time TO time, glanced lovingly at
toy clasped close in his hand.
Count Geierflug arrived at the gates OF
heaven, and politely addressed st. Peter:
Pardon me- he began, II would
merely beg to inquilc"--
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 me- am Count Geier1ug, the
prime minister have the title Of excel
lencv. am knight Of innumerable orders,
member of various learned societies.
and -
up here we recognize neither knight
nor scholar.
Yet your reverence was Kind OF
knight yourself. and welded dashing
blade In the affair with Malchus
Peter silently regarded the Smiling
speaker.
"And your reverence was also quasi
scholar-or author-or"-
"On earth l was only q poor fisher
man"
"And vet" continued the count, with
a profound bow, "your reverences Epis-
ties are even more celebrated than the
world renowned letter of Nine. de Sc
vigne.'
Again Peter surveyed the flatterer in ut
yer 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 thick book
upon which, in golden letters, stood
Ledger"
"What is your Dames" he asked the old
woman. 4
.Brigitte Stegmaierin, if you ple3eo
holy Saint Peter" she replied, .y,ib n
courtesy.
"Precisely-Brigitte Ste1;n. >, 20
nlied Saint Peter. por 5"'~si na,e, IL
Then in a crum,, si'ihg over MS iedger'
..m-.,,' W. J1ing tone, he continned'
peo''' ri1S bitter bad tongue of her
o"n III, u nile, charged to her credit; She
- ~. fetchedly poor. "
Poor" cried the old crone, weeping
and hinging up her arms; God is my
witness that is true, and the holy Saint
Peter himself knows that poverty is a
gnawing pain"
We'll, WELL" said the apostle gently;
go In, granny--on IN. In there there Is
no more poverty or pain"
The young man with halter around
his neck now stepped forward.
Your names demanded St. Peter.
''Veit Kratzern.n
OtOlt kOit OiuSNiSst e~NN >.@'
apostle, with frOwn.
Item: A purse full Of money.
Item: The contents of the contribu-
ton box of ct. James church"
ST Peter scowled liercely at the youth,
who shook like n leaf in the blast.
Credited; He did it all at the 1nstiga-
ton and entresty CT his sweetheart. n m!
Did you love the woman so very much''
"Ahr' faltered the boy, II could never
tell you how much p
Enough broke in ST. Peter. Don't
talk TO me about IL. BE Off, will your
out of my sight"
What! In theres and the thief
pointed toward the gates
''Well--yes. Only make haste or may
repent my weakness"
Through the briefly opened portals the
fair forms and piIiful faces Of two shining
angels were revealed. One Of them ten
derby wiped the tears from poor old Brig
itte's eyes, while the other, murmuring
mild and compassionate words, removed
the rope from Welt kratzern's neck
Now we are ready for you, remarked
Saint Peter 10 the count, turning over
leaf after leaf of the ledger, and suddenly
exclaming Ia Mortified tone:
THAT looks promising, indeed Column
after column OF debit items, while nothing
stands TO your redit--absolutely moth
mgr
The count began pompously
IL have advanced the commerce, manu-
features and agriculture OF my native
land. have protected and promoted the
arts AMI sciences. have built churches
and schools and orphan asylums and hos
pitfalls and poor houses aDd'---
Peace, fool" cried St. Peter angrily.
Cali that is charged fast enough, not to
your credit. but against you, because 1t
was done from ambition and selfishness
and ostentation and hypocrisy"
my life's best work." continued the
count, still more proudly, "how l male
my fatherland great and glorious beyond
all lands on earth do not need to mea-
ton, for presume my fame has long aec
assembled here"
"Your fame" retorted Saint Peter, with
increasing indignation, has not reached
Us, but. the groans Of dying youths have
risen to W from your battle fields, and
from dssolate homes the despair OF moth.
sn and brides; and ] tell you, wretch, Il