The Fatal Door
Chevalier, Gerard De Kampis, was a very rich, and a very proud man. Soon after the completion of his magnificent castle, he wished to have a house-warming, and accordingly all his great neighbors were invited to a grand feast. At the conclusion of a sumptuous repast, his guests made speech after speech, in which the host was lauded to the skies, and told that he was the most fortunate man alive. As the Chevalier loved flattery, we can imagine how proud and delighted he was. One among the guests, however, said nothing for a time. When each man had made his speech, he uttered the following singular observation upon the happiness of the host:— "Sir Knight, in order that your happiness should be complete, you require but one thing; but this is a very important item."
"And what thing is that" demanded the knight, opening wide his eyes.
"One of your doors must be walled up," replied his guest.
At this strange rejoinder, several of the guests began to laugh, and Gerard himself looked as much as to say, "This man has gone mad." Wishing, however, to have the clew to this enigma, he continued,—
"But which door do you mean?"
"I mean that through which you will one day be carried to your grave," replied the other.
The words struck both guests and host, and made the latter reflect most seriously. The proud man remembered the vanity of all earthly things, and from henceforth he no longer thought only of the perishable treasures he had once gloried in. He was completely altered, and made good use of his riches.
Christian Weekly.