The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-02-10
THE RUNNING TOP.

worn, but had in no respect diminished
his pride and aristocratic elegance of
bearing. Attired in a gold embroider-
ed coat, such as men of his distinction
are apt to yea when lying in funeral
state, he started off on the direct road
to heaven.
Marching along at a brisk pace, he
presently overlook and passed u little
group, consisting of three most wretch-
ed 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
scenes of his life drama, and Il poor
little hump-backed consumptive boy,
5 oF 6 years old, who, from time to
time, glanced lovingly at q TOY clasped
close in his hand.
Count Geiertlug arrived at the gates
of heaven, and politely addressed st.
Peter:
Pardon me-" he began, 81 would
merely beg to inquire"
But the former apostle and present
keeper of the celestial gates interrupted
him sternly:
''It's not your turn. TIE three be-
hind there, whom you passed on the
road, come first"
Before nacP l am Count Geierlug,
the Prime Minister. Ihave the title If
Excellency, am knight of innumerable
orders, members of various learned
societies-and--"
up here we recognize neither
knight nor scholar"
yet your reverence was a kind Of
knight yourself, and welded Il dashing
blade in the affair with Malbhus."
Peter silently regarded the smiling
speaker.
And your reverence was also a
quasi scholar-or author-or-"
"On earth | was only a poor fisher
man"
And yet" continued the Count,
with u profound bow. your reveren-
ces Epistles are even more celebrated
than the world renowned letter of
Nine. de Sevigne."
Again Peter surveyed the flatterer in
utter silence, but with so penetrating
o gaze that the false courtier's ewes
dropped beneath it.
In the meantime. the three pilgrims
had arrived. ;
No sooner did St. Peter see the bows
innocent face and crippled body than
be said kindly:
run 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"
old woman.
"Brigitte Stegmaierin, if you please,
holy st. Peter" she replied with a
courtesy.
"Preciselv-Brigette Stecmaierin."
replied St. Peter. pouring oyer his
ledger. Then, in a grumbling tone, he
continued:
Debit: Has a bitter bad tongue OF
her own. While, charged to her
credit: SHE is wretchedly poor" /
Poor" cried the old crone, weep
ing and finging 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-goin. In there there
IS no 0 poverty or pain"
The young man with a halter around
his neck now stepped forward.
Your namep" demanded St. Peter.
"Veit Kratzern.''
"Stole a gold bracelet" read the
apostle, with a frown.
Item; purse full of money.
Hem: The contents of the contri.
button box of st. james Church.
st. Peter scowled fercely at the
youth, who shock like a leaf in the
blast.
"Credited: He did it all at the in.
stigation and entreaty Of his sweet
heart HIM! Did you love the woman
80 very muchpn
"Ah!" faltered the boy, 81 could
never tell you how much! p
.Enough!' broke in st. Peter.
'Don't talk to me about it. Be of,
Will your out of my sight"
WHAT In there?:" and the thief
pointed towards the gates. i
"Well-yes. Only make haste or I
may repent my weakness"
Tnro' the briefly opened portals the
fair forms and pitiful faces of two
aiming angels We're revealed. One of
them tenderly wiped the tears from
poor old Brigitte's eyes, while the
other, murmuring 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
after column of debit items while
nothing stands to your credit-abso-
lntely nothing!"
The Count began pompously.
~ have advanced the commerce,
manufactures and agriculture OF my
native land. nave protected and
promoted the arts and sciences. i
nave built churches and schools and
orphan asylums and hospitals and
~poor-houses and,
Pence. fool!' cried Saint Peter, an
gaily. "All that is charged fast
enough, not to you rcredit but against
you, because 1t was done from ambi-
ton ard Selisllness and ~ostantatinn