Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-05-09
THE HUMMING TOP.

THE HUMMlNG 1OP.
Count Geierf1ug, the mightiest minister
of the realm, had breathed his last. His
final moments on earth had left him look
ing somewhat pale and worn, but had in
no respect diminished his pride and aris-
tocratic elegance of bearing Attired in
a gold embroidered coat, such as men OF
his distinction are apt to wear when
lying In funereal state, he started of on
the direct road to heaven.
Marching along at brisk pace, he
presently overlook and passed little
group, consisting Of three most wretched
beings 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. 5 or O years old, who,
from time to time, glanced lovingly at q
toy clasped close in his hand.
Count Geierfiug arrived at the gates OF
heaven, and politely addressed st. Peter:
Pardon me-" he began, Il 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 me, am Count Geierfiug, the
prime minister. l have the title Of excel
lency, am knight of innumerable orders,
| member of various learned societies
and'-
"Up here we recognize neither knight
nor scholar"
"Yet your reverence was a kind Of
knight yourself and welded a dashing
blade In the affair with Malchus."
Peter silently regarded the smiling
speaker.
"And your reverence was also quasi
scholar-or author-or"-
ION earth l was only poor fisher
man"
s'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 flatterer in ut
ter silence, but with SO penetrating gaze
that the false courtier's eyes drooped be-
meath it.
In the meantime, the three pilgrims had
| arrived.
No sooner did Saint Peter see the boy .
| innocent face and crippled body than ne
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 names" he asked the old
| woman.
"Brigitte Stegmaierin, IL you please,
holy Saint Peter" she replied, with Z
courtesy.
"Precisely-Brigitte Stegmaierin." re-
| piled Saint Peter, porting 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
"PoorI' cried the old crone, weeping
and fiinging UP her arms; "God is my
witness that is true; and the holy Saint
| Peter himself knows that poverty is a
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.
| 1OuE uhtuc! ucuduueu Ot- HcttK.
"yeit Kratzern."
"Stole gold bracelet" read the
| apostle, with a frown.
"Item: A purse full Of money.
sItem: The contents of the contribu-
| tion box Of st. James church"
st. Peter scowled fiercely at the youth,
who shook like leaf in the blast.
"Credited: He did it all at the instiga-
| tion and entreaty Of his sweetheart HIM!
Did you love the woman so very muchr'
"AhW faltered the boy, Il could never
| tell you how much p
"Enoughr' broke in ST. Peter. "Don't
talk to me about it. Be of, will you,
out of my sight"
WHAT In therey' and the thief
pointed toward the gates.
"Well-yes. Only make haste or l may
| repent my weakness"
Through the briefly opened portals the
fair forms and pitiful faces Of two shining
| angels were revealed. One of them ten
derly wiped the tears from poor old Brig
itte's eyes, while the other, murmuring
mild and compassionate words, removed
the rope from Veit Kratzern's neck.
'Now We are ready for you, remarked
Saint Peter to the count, turning over
icftl dllcr lcdl VI Tue ltNScT, duu Suuuculy
exclaiming in borrified tone:
"That looks promising, indeed! Column
after column Of debit items, while nothing
stands to your credit-absolutely moth
| ingp'
The count began pompously:
81 have advanced the commerce, manu-
factures and agriculture Of my native
land. have protected and promoted the
,xxI .Afa \ hnx, I,,nS nhr,r ot,a.
and schools and orphan asylums and hos
| pitals and poor houses and"-
peace, fool" cried St. Peter angrily.
"All that is charged fast enough, not to
| your credit, but against you, because it
was done from ambition and selfishness
and ostentation and hypocrisy"
MY life's best work." continued the
count, still more proudly, chow l made
my fatherland great and glorious beyond
| all lands on earth do not need to men
assembled here"
'Your fame, " retorted Saint Peter, with
increasing indignation, "has not reached
us, but the groans Of dying youths have
risen - us from your battle fields, and
from 'lesolate homes the de -nair of moth
ers aad brides; and tell you, wretch, il
you have nothing better than this to urge,
you are a lost manr'
The count grew still paler, and had not
q word to say for himself.
At this moment the little boy, lingering
on the threshold of heaven, called out:
"Mr. Peterl Mr.. Peterw
Are you still there, my little man,
returned the apostle. why do you not
enters'
Instead of replying to the question, the
little fellow said:
''Mr. Peter, do you see this humming
topt" Saint Peter returned indulgently,
'Pray, how came it theres''
MY mother Laid il in nv grave with