The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1897-02-09
The Palace OF GOndOforus.

WE publish the following legend, translat-
ed for THE BOURBON NEWS by Miss M. w.,
from Guerber's Comics ct Legends, Just issued
by the A. b. Company, believing that our
readers will appreciate the beautiful senti-
ment at this time when the needs of the poor
call aloud for our charities:
THE PALACE OF GoNDaFoRUs.
Gondoforus, King of the Indies was one of
the richest monarchs of his time. He had by
degrees, amassed an immense fortune, and
possessed so much gold and silver, SO many
the whole world envied him his treasures.
Having accumulated all this, he decided
finally to have magnificent palace con-
Structed, and sought an architect capable of
executing the colossal work which he
meditated.
All at once, ST. Thomas arrived at his court.
to offer his services, because the Lord had ap-
peared to him at Caesarea, and commanded
him to repair to the abode of GOndOfOrus in
order to undertake this work. Delighted at
having the services of such a weIl-known
architect, the king entrusted to him all his
treasures and showed him the place upon
which to erect his new castle. Then, after
giving him carte blanche, he left him, saying
he was going on long journey, and upon his
return at the end of two years, he hoped to
find the palace completed.
During the two years spent in travel,
GondOfOruS admired all the beautiful build
ings and palaces of Europe, Asia and Africa.
He found them magnificent, but his heart
SWelled with prlQe at the thought that his
new palace would eclipse them all, and hav-
ing returned into his kingdom, he went i'm
mediately to the spot where he had ordered
his new dwelling TO be built
When he arrived, expecting to be dazzled
by the SplendOr of the precious stones and
costly marbles, he paled with anger, seeing
that not a single stone had been put in place.
He sent for st. Thomas and Sternly demanded
of him what he had done with the immense
treasure he had cOntided to him, and the
architect replied that he had distributed them
among the poor
The king, enraged at having been deceived
caused tn singular architect to be thrown
into prison and began 10 mediate some
means of torture which he might employ to
punish him sufficiently for his treason. He
was sleeping, his deceased brother appeared
suddenly before him, and said: Brother, dc
no harm to this brave architect He is a SER
vaut of God and has not failed of his promise
The angels have shown me a marvellous
palace of gold, silver and precious stones
which has been built for you in Paradise
There are many beautiful mansions on high
my brother but not one is to be compared tC
that which has been prepared for you
thanks to the efforts of this holy man."
Saying these words the apparition disap-
peared, and GondofOrus waking up, surpris
ed, ran and cast himself at the feet of biz
prisoner and humbly asked his pardon fol
having thus outraged him.
ST. Thomas, kindly raising him, said
"Don't you know, o King, that the only en-
pared for us, in Heaven, by our faith an(
by our Charity 2"
The hing convinced by these words and bN
the vision which he had seen, spent the re
and administering consolation 10 all the un
fortunate, and when he died he went Il
dwell in the palace incOrruptible which wa
awaiting HIM in Paradise.