Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-02-29
the HuRkIRG TOP.
Translated from the German Of Theobold
Gross by Blanche Willis Howard.

lister oil the realm, had breathed his
last. 4 His final moments on earth had
left him looking somewhat pale anu
worn, but had in no respect diminish
ed his pride and ar,stocratic elegance
OF bearing. Attired in d gold eni-
broidered coat, such as men oil his dis
tinetien are apt to wear when lying IN
funeral state, he started of on the di-
rect road to heaven.
Marching along at brisk pace, he
presently overlook and passed a little
group. consisting of three most
wretched beings; white haired. pal
siei old pauper woman, ayouth, from
whose neck still dangled the halter
which he had brought with him from
the closing scene OF his lie drama. and
a poor little hump backed consump
tive boy. 5 or 9 years old. who, from
time to time, glanced lovingly at a
toy clasped close in his hand.
Count Geierflug arrived at the gates
OF heaven. and politely addressed st.
Peter:
Pardon me-" he began, would
merely beg to inquire
But the former apostle and present
keeper OF the celestial gates interrupt
ed him sternly:
"It's not your turn. The three be
hind there, whom you passed on the
road. come first"
Before NE? am Count GeierAug,
the Prime Minister. | have the title
OF Exceilency, am knight OF inuumer-
able orders, members OF various
learned societies-and--"
lip here we recognize neither knight
nor scholar
.sYet yonr reverence was q kind OF
knight yourself. and welded q dash
r ing blade in the affair with Malchus."
Peter silently regarded the smiling
speaker.
And your reverence was also a
quasi scholar-or author-or-"
Is .'0n earth was only poor fisher
man"
"And yet" continued the Count,
with profound bow, your reyer.
ence's Epistles are even more celehrat-
ed than the worid-renowned letter OF
Mime. lie SevIgne."
Again Peter surveyed the flatterer
in atter silence, but with so penetrat-
inc aa2e that the false courtier eyes
droopea beneath it.
In tile meantime, the three pilgrims
had arrived.
No sooner did Saint Peter see the
boys innocent face and crippled body
than he said kindly:
a"Rnn 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 manner" he asked the
old woman.
"Brigitte Stegmaierin, you please
holgssaint Peter, !" she replied, with a
cottritSy
..Precisely-B rigitte stegmaierin, ;
replied Saint Peter, pouring over hi:
ledger Then, IN a grumbling tone, hi
continued: Debit: Has bitter
bad tongue OF her own While, charg
ed tc her credit: She is wretchedly
poor.
Poor! tried the old crone. weepin!
and Ringing up her arms; "God is mi
witness that is true; and the holy
Saint Peter himself knows that pow
erty is gnawing pain"
s'Nell, well. = said the apostle gently
go IN. granny-on in. In there Their
IS no more poverty or pain"
The young man with a hattie
around his neck stepped forward.
4foEr manner" demanded st. Peter
.'Neit kratzern.
"Stole gold bracelet" read tn,
apostle, with frown.
Item: purse full OF money.
''Item: The contents OF the contri
button box OF st. James Church."
st. Peter scowled fercely at tn
youth, who shook like LEAF in tn
blast.
Credited. He did it all at the in
stigation and entreaty OF his sweet
heart HIM! Did you love the WON
an so very much?"
'tAhiH iaItered the boy, II coul,
never tell you how much! p
Enough broke in St Peter
Don't tax to me about it. Be of
will you? out OF my sight"
What In there2" and the THE
pointed toward the gates.
"Well--yes. Only make haste or
may repent my weakness"
Thro' the briefly opened portals tn
fair forms and pitiful faces OF tw
shining angels were revealed. One Q
them tenderly wiped the tears iror
poor old Brigitte's eyes. while the otf
er. murmuring mild and compassion
ate words, removed the rope fror
Yeit kratzern's neck.
Now we are ready for YOU" RI
marked SAINT Peter to the Count
+. tuning over leaf after leaf OF the led
er, and suddenly exclaiming In hol
rified tone:
iaa THAT looks promising. indeed! Co
sai4mn after column OF debit items whi
nothing stands to to your credit-ai
solntely nothing"
4 The Count began pompously:
2 II have advanced the commerce
manufactures and agriculture of m
Hlative land. / have protected an
spromoted the arts and sciences.
have built churches and schools an
. asylums and hospitals and poo