I am Peter, who opens and shuts the
gate of heaven. Behold how the dead outside there in the churchyard,
are wandering about collecting their bones. Come, come, and creep into
the sack; the world is about to be destroyed!" The cry echoed through
the whole village. The parson and clerk who lived nearest to the church,
heard it first, and when they saw the lights which were moving about the
churchyard, they observed that something unusual was going on, and went
into the church. They listened to the sermon for a while, and then the
clerk nudged the parson and said, "It would not be amiss if we were to use
the opportunity together, and before the dawning of the last day, find an
easy way of getting to heaven." "To tell the truth," answered the parson,
"that is what I myself have been thinking, so if you are inclined, we will
set out on our way." "Yes," answered the clerk, "but you, the pastor, have
the precedence, I will follow." So the parson went first, and ascended
the pulpit where the master opened his sack. The parson crept in first,
and then the clerk. The master immediately tied up the sack tightly,
seized it by the middle, and dragged it down the pulpit-steps, and
whenever the heads of the two fools bumped against the steps, he cried,
"We are going over the mountains.
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