Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1852-12-30


the way to Mr.. Baldwin's house; but, after
all, it wouldn't do. The gold was like a
heavy stone bound to my heart. 1t was a
sort of unhappy charm, which gave an evil
spirit power TO torment me. Anil could
net help thinking that I was noS half so well
pleased with my immense riches as had
been with rusty copper which had found
some weeks bore. Nobody claimed the
penny, al,tough kept my good fortune no
secre5; and had been as happy as king
81 as a king is commonly supposed TO be.
Mr. Baldwin was not at home: and re-
tur.ed to tie deacon's house. saw Mr.
Warily's horse standing at thea gate, aud I
vas terribly frightened. Mr.. Wardiey vas
a constable; and / knew he had come to
take me to Jail. So hid in the garden IN
til he went away By tkis time reason be
gan to prevail over coWardice, and made
my appearance at the house. The deacon
looked angrily at me.
"Now, thought /, feeling faint, he's going
to accuse me OF finding the gold.
I" But he only scolded me for being SO
long about my errdnd. I never received a
repriman1 so willingly. His severe words
sounded sweet, l had expected something
SO much more terrible.
I worked all day with the gold in my
pocket wonder Deacon Webb did not
suspect something, I stopped SO sften to
see if the gold was really there; for, much
as the possession of it troubled me, the
fear Of losing it troubled me scarcely less.
was miserable | wished hundred times
had not found the gold, / felt that it
would be re,.rf 20 layIt down on the road
side; again l wrapped it in brown paper,
lust as had found it. Wondered If Ill got
wealth made verybody SO miserable.
AT night I was sent again to Mr.. Bald
wins and having found him, obtained his
promise to work at Deacon Webb's or the
following day.
cit was dark when went, and I was
afraid Of robbers. I never felt so cowardly
in my life. It seemed to me that anybody
could rob ne with clear conscience, be-
cause my treasure was not mine. l got
home and went trembling to bed.
Mr.. Baldwin came early to breakfast with
US. l should tell you something about him.
He was an honest, poor man, who support
ed large family by hard work. Every
body liked him, he was SO industrious and
faithful; and besides making coed wages
for his labor he often got presents of meal
aud Rour from those who employed him.
well, at. the breakfast table, after Dea-
coz Webb had asked the blessing, and given
Baldwin piece Of pork, SO that he might
eat and get to work as soon as possible
something was said about the news"
Il suppose you have heard of my mis-
fortune" said Mr.. Baldwin
"Tour misfortune"
eyes"
"Why, what has happened to you?" ask
ed the deacon.
81 thought that everybody had heard of
it, replied Baldwin. "You see, the other
right, when Mr.. Woody paid me, be gave
me gold piece"
81 started and felt the blood forsake nv
cheeks. AL eyes were fixed upon Bald
win, however, SO my trouble was not OBJ
eerved"
"a sovereign" said Baldwin" first
one ever had in my life; and it seemed
to me that if should put it in my pocket
like cent or half dollar, should lose It.
So like agoose, wrapped it in piece Of
paper, and slowed it in my coat pocket.
where thought it was safe. / never did
g. more foolish thing | must have lost
the coin in taking cut my handkerchief;
and the paper would prevent its making
any noise as it fell. | discovered my loss
when l got home, and went back to look
for it; but somebody must have picked
it up"
ST felt like sinkirr thrnunh Tho aoo,,,