Grandfather was a mild-mannered philosopher who believed there were two sides to every question. When debates about politics or religion grew heated, he would tell a story he'd heard from Doc Eaton.
It happened long ago, in a town still green with trees, not yet dominated by steel and concrete. Like many towns, it had its share of disagreements and, of course, a rich man. This man was a pillar of the Baptist Church, yet opinions about him were sharply divided.
Some called him a ruthless, tightfisted hypocrite, almost deified by some on Sundays. Others defended him, arguing his success bred envy and that his faith was genuine, despite his wealth.
Amid this controversy, the rich man hosted a gathering—a "shower" for the church pastor. Some saw it as a kind gesture; others, as proof of his miserliness, getting others to give what he could easily afford.
Both sides attended, curious to see inside the rich man's home. Guests brought modest gifts: apples, bacon, onions. All waited with suspense for the host's offering.
He presented a bushel of potatoes—large, clean, but ordinary, worth less than a dollar at the market. The critics felt vindicated; the defenders thought him tactfully modest. The host carried on, though Grandfather swore he saw a twinkle in the man's eye.
Later, the pastor examined a potato and found one end opened, with a silver dollar neatly inserted. Every potato in the bushel contained a silver dollar.
At this point, Grandfather would smile and muse: "It takes an almighty pile of gall to say what's in another man's mind." He reflected that while the New Testament says it's hard for a rich man to enter heaven, "it took a rich man to put a silver dollar through the eye of a potato and give folks some food for thought."