Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-03-25

which gave an evil spirit power to torment me.
And I could not help thinking that was not
half.sO well pleased within immense riches as
| had been with aristy copper which I had found
aeme weeks 9egop. Nobody claimed the PEN
:Hy, .astsEugh Kept my good fortune no secret !;
and Fhad been as happy as king-ora as a king
is commonly supposed to be. ~
Mr.. Baldwin was not at home and fel69n.
ed to the deacOn's. house. I saw Mr.. Wardly's
horse standing at the gate, and was terribly
frightened. Mr.. Wardly was constable, and
| knew he had come to take me to Jail. So I
md in the garden until he went away. BY that
time reason began to prevail over cowardice,
and made my appearance at the house. The
deacon looked angrily at me-
Now, thought I, feeling faint, he's going to
accuse me Of finding the gold.
But he only scolded me for being so long
about my errand. never received reprimand
SO willingly. His severe words sounded sweet,
for had expected something SO much more ter.
rible. 49,
l worked all day with the gold in nay pocket
| wonder Deacon Webb did not suspect some.
thing, stopped 30. often Essee if the gold was
really there; for, much as the possession Of it
troubled me, the fear of losing it troubL =. me
scarcely less. was miserable. wished a
hundred times I had not found the gold. felt
that it would be relief to lay it down on the
roadside; again wrapped it in brown paper.
Just as | had found it. wondered if ill-rot
wealth made everybody SO miserable.
AT night was sent again to Mr.. Baldwin's.
and, having found him, obtained his promise to
work at Deacon Webb's on the following dav.
Mr. Baldwin came early to breakfast with u.s.
l should tell you something about him, He was
an honest, poor man, who supported large fam.
lily by hard work. Everybody liked him, for he
was so industrious and faithful and, besides
making good wages for his labor, he ten got
presents of meal and -four from those who EN-.
ployed him.
Well. at the breakfast table, after Deacon
Webb had asked the blessing, and given Bald
win piece Of pork, so that he might eat and
get to work as soon as possible, something was
said about the news'
81 suppose you have heard about my misfor
tune" said Mr. Baldwin.
Your misfortune ?"
eyes"
"Why, what has happened to you," asked the
deacon.
Il thought everybody had heard of it." re.
Piled Mr.. Baldwin, "You see, the other night,
when Mr.. Woody paid me, he gave me gold
piece"
started, and felt the blood fJrsake my cheeks.
All eyes were fixed upon Baldwin, however, so
my trouble was not observed
A sovereign" said Baldwin" the first one
ever had in my life; and it seemed I'd me that
if should put il in my pusket, like q cent !,
Sreass- Va ss's r'Ssa - rssss III SS'' y
80 ! n q Hlece Of paper, and std. I
wrSp here thought it wael " - ~ !
NV coat POGffiore foolish thing. se
lost the coin in taking out my ham Ief;
and the paper would prevent its nih my
noise as it fell. discovered my loss when
got home, and went back to look for ii; some
body must have picked it up"
felt like sinking through the floor.
81 don't know" continued the poor man,
shaking his head sadly. "He's welcome tdit,
whoever he is; and hope that his conscience
won't trouble him more than the money is
worth though Heaven knows want my honest
earnings"
This was too much for me. The allusion to
my conscience brought the gold out of my
pocket resolved to make clean breast Of
it, and be honest in spite Of poverty and shame.
So held the gold in my trembling hand and
said,
"Is this yours, Mr.. Baldwin ?"
My voice was SO faint that he did not hear me,
So repeated my question in a more courageous
tone All eyes were turned upon inc in aston
ishment; and the deacon demanded where and
when had found the gold.
burst into tears, and confessed everything.
I expected the deacon would whip me to death.
Bnt he patted my head, and said, more kindly
than was his wont:
"Don't cry about it, William. You are an
honest boy, if you did come near falling into
temptation. Always be honest, my son; and, if
you do not grow rich, you will be happy with
clear conscience"
But cried still-for JOY. l laughed, too, the
deacon had so touched my heart. OF what
load was relieved felt then that honesty was
the best policy.
As for Baldwin, he declared that I should
have half the money, for finding it but wished
to keep clear Of the troublesome stuff for time,
and did. would not touch his offer; and I