As Mr. Smith was on his death bed, he attempted to formulate a plan that would allow him to take at least some of his considerable wealth with him. <>
He called for the three men he trusted most, his lawyer, his doctor, and his clergyman.<>
Mr. Smith told them, “I’m going to give you each $30,000 in cash before I die.<>
At my funeral, I want you each to place the money in my coffin so that try to take it with me.” <>
All three agreed to do this and were given the money.<>
At the funeral, each approached the coffin in turn and placed an envelope inside. <>
While riding in the limousine back from the cemetery, the clergyman said, “I have to confess something to you fellows. <>
Brother Smith was a good churchman all his life, and I know he would have wanted me to do this.<>
The church needed a new baptistery very badly, and I took $10,000 of the month he gave me and bought one. I only put $20,000 in the coffin.”<>
The doctor then said, “Well, since we’re confiding in one another, I might as well tell you that I didn’t put the full $30,000 in the coffin either.<>
Smith had a disease that could have been diagnosed sooner if I had this very new machine, but the machine cost $20,000 and I couldn’t afford it then.<>
I used $20,000 of the money he gave to buy the machine so that I might be able to save another patient. I know that Smith would have wanted me to do that.”<>
The lawyer then said, “I;m ashamed of both of you. When I put my envelope into that coffin, it held my personal cheque for the full $30,000.”<>
