The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-01

He would rather die than live. However,
no could DO nQthinG while the moon ahone
g pf1gntiy He must wait awhile until IL
nio itself behind another cloud. He paced
l isnsn ~ ct once came : loud jingle Of
sIca8n bells and the soundsof merry laugh
yer. Lame Caspar started and stood still
y large sleigh drew up almost in front
q MN eEd man jumping out ran to the
n1ofses 70 arrange displaced plume.
voaces noated toward the solitary figure on
caused Caspar's heart almost to stand still,
while great sob rose in his throat.
IL Was just herr, said clear, childish
treble, that I lost my gold piece-just be-
low there on the shore. Such nice. kind
fisherman came and helped me to look for
y. and-. The boy stopped speaking; then
that man yonder! What can he be doing
there Something Il the matter with him.
IN another moment the boy had sprung
nom the sleigh and had advanced toward
Lame Caspar, who stood with outstretched
arms IN the pale moonlight like one trans
Injured: Tears were rolling down his
lily upon the ragged peajacket he wore.
"OhV cried the child joyfully to his
companions, this is the very man-the
nice, kind man who helped me to search
Tor my lost gold piecel But" he added,
''you are in trouble, Lame Cespar, you
are crying! What is the matter? Why
are you acting 30 strangely out here on the
The child's companions, attracted by the
intensity Of the tones, approached and
stood looking from one to the other.
Then the tension in Lame Caspar's
breast gave way a. though something had
snapped. With his utterance still choked
by sobs he held the gold piece forth in the
argent moonlight and preferred it to the
boy, who gave an exultant shout.
MY gold piecel And you found it for
me, you found 1t z" he exclaimed joyously.
For the first time Lame Caspar discov-
cred his voice. Eyes. I-I-found il, and
| went to find You, but you were gone. /
have hoped and waited - hoped and
A mans voice called to the child
Come, Ralph, the plume is fixed. We
must 60 onlp
The child was sober and evidently over
come BY vague emotion. He turned the
gold piece over in his hand and cast lin
geriug look on the semi-crouching form Of
Lame Caspar, who almost knelt at his feet,
Then he said softly: -
"Goodby, Lame Caspar, and thank you.
I've always prayed for you because you
helped me. Good night and goodby."
God bless you'll" cried Caspar in loud
Saved you from what?" asked the child
perplexed.
Saved me from myself" said the fish
erInan, and bowed his head
The boy turned away reluctantly. Some
thing in that dropping, ssorrowfql figure
seemed to chain his attention. stGood
night" he whispered once more. "How
odd that should have seen you and got
back my gold piece"
.sGive il to him again for his honesty"
said q gentleman of the party brusquely.
I'm give you another, Ralph. Let the
man keep it. :"
ITO be sure!" exclaimed the child, and
he offered the newly found treasure to
| Caspar, who drew himself up sternly.
mol" he said. brushing away his tears
with firm hand. mol not for worlds
not for worlds!''
Come, dear!" said the gentleman to
the child, dryiy.
As they re-entered the sleigh and he
cracked the whip, the speaker addep:-
How proud these people are! For my
self, have no patience with their ridicu-
lous independence"
"Ridiculous, indeed!" replied lady;
and the sleigh glided away leaving Lame
Caspar standing still In the moonlight,
with prayer of thankfulness on his lips.
CLARA III LAMA.