Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-01-21

half. On the following morning ] was
feyerish and nervous. When Deacon
Webb, at the breakfast table, said
'Williaml'
Il started and trembled, thinking the
next words would be-
Where is that piece of gold you have
found, and wickedly concealed, to keepit
from the rightful owner?
But he only said
L want you to go to Mr.. Baldwin's
this morning, and ask him if he can come
and work for me to-day and to-mor-
row.
Il felt immensely relieved! left the
house. and got out of sight as soon as
possible. Then once more l took the
coin out of my pocket, and feasted on its
beauties. Yet 1 was unhappy. Con-
sciousness of wrong troubled me, and l
almost wished had not found the sover-
eign Would not be called thief, if
discovered? asked myself. Was it not
as wrong to conceal what had found, as
to take the same amount originally from
the owners pocket? Was not he defrau-
ded the same ?
But then said to myself
'Why, if l don't know who the loser
is, how can give him his money? 1t is
only because l am afraid Deacon Webb
will take it away from me, that conceal
it; that's all. would not STEAL gold ;
and, if the loser should ask me for it,
would give it to him. l apologized thus
to myself all the way to Mr.. Baldwin's
house. But, after all. it wouldn't do
The gold was like heavy stone. bound
to my heart. 1t was a sort of unhappy
charm, which gave an evil spirit power to
torment me. And could not help think
ing that was not half so well pleased
with my immens riches, as l had been
with rusty copper, which 1 had found
some weeks before. Nobody claimed the
penny. although l kept my good fortune
no secret and had been happy as a
king is generally supposed to be
Mr.. Baldwin was not at home; and /
returned to the deacon's house. l saw
Mr. Wardley's horse standing at the gate,
and was terribly frightened. Mr.. Ward
ley was constable; and knew he had
come to take me to Jail. So / hid in the
garden until he went away. BY that
time reason began to prevail over coward
ice, and made my appearance at the
house. The deacon looked angrlly al
me.
Now. thought 1, feeling faint, he's
going to accuse me of finding the gold.
But he only scolded me for being SC
long about my GRAND. l never received
reprimand so willingly. His severe
words sounded sweet had expected
something so much more terrible.
1 worked all day with the gold in my
pocket. l wonder deacon Webb did moi
suspect something, stopped SO often tc
see if the gold was really therefor much
as the possession of it troubled me, the
fear of losing it troubled me scarcely less
1 was miserable, wished a hundred times
had not found the gold. felt that il
would be a relief to lay it down on the
roadside-agaiu l wrapped it in brown
paper, Just as had found it. wondered
if ill-got wealth made everybody SO mis-
cradle.
AT night / was sent again to Mr.
Baldwin's, and having found him, obtain
ed his promise to work at Nh. Webb's or
the following day.
1T was dark when went home, and
was afraid of robbers. l never felt Sc
cowardly in my life. 1t seemed to me
that anybody could rob me with clear
observation-disclosures my treasure was not
mine. l got home, and went trembling
to bed
Mr.. Baldwin came early to breakfast
with us. should tell you something
about him. He was an honest poor man
who supported large family, by hard
work. Everybody liked him, he was So
industrious and faithful; and beside ma
king good wages for his labor. he often
got presents of meal anL flour from those
who employed him.
sWelI, at the breakfast table after Dea-
con Webb had asked the blessing, and
given Baldwin a piece Of pork, SO thai
he might eat and get to work as soon as
possible, something was said about the
news
i suppose you have heard of my mis-.
fortune, said Mr.. Baldwin.
Your misfortune 2
'Yes!'
why, what has happened to you :?
asked the deacon.
L thought everybody had heard it,
replied Baldwin. You see, the other
night, when Mr.. Woody paid me, he gave
me gold piece
L started and felt the blood forsake my
cheeks. All eyes were fixed upon Bald
win, however, so my trouble was not OBJ
served.
! "A sovereign said Baldwin. The
first one ever had in my life and j
seemed to me that if / should put it in my
pocket, like a cent or halfdOllar, SHOULD
lose it. So, like goose, | wrapped it il
a piece of paper, and slowed it in my Goa
pocket. where thought it was safe.
never did a more foolish thing. mus
have lost the coin, taking out my handker
chief; and the paper would prevent it