GUSTAVE DORE. II
Kings xix.]
The Rich Man Poor.
I heard of a farmer who, when a friend of mine called upon him to give
something for the Christian Commission, promptly drew a check for ten
thousand dollars. He wanted the agent to have dinner with him, and after
they had dined the farmer took the man out on the verandah and pointed
to the rich lands sweeping far away, laden with rich products. "Look
over these lands," said the farmer, "They are all mine." He took him to
the pasture and showed the agent the choice stock, the fine horses he
had, and then pointed to a little town, and then to a large hall where
he lived; he drew himself up, and his face lit up with pride as he said,
"They are all mine. I came here when a poor boy and I have earned all
that you see." When he got through, my friend asked 'him, "Well, what
have you got up yonder?" "Where?" replied the farmer, who evidently knew
where my friend meant. "What have you got in heaven?" "Well," said the
farmer, "I haven't anything there." "What!" replied my friend, "You, a
man of your discretion, wisdom, business ability, have made no provision
for your future?" He hadn't, and in a few weeks he died--a rich man here
and a beggar in eternity.
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