The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-03-08
THE GOLD PIECE.
BY TRE MARoU1sE CLARA LAMA.

lines OF foam little boy was gleefnlly rolling
yellow gold piece upon the paler yellow of the
sand. The autumn wind caught his hair and
laughter danced in his eyes. The gold piece
flashed In the sunlight that streamed across the
beach and struck the white cliffs beyond with
dazzling effect. Again and again the child
caught the gold in his chubby hand, and sent it
spinning in swift curves. Then all at once
roguish breeze lifted his hat, and, striving TO
keep his headgear in place, he let his eyes
wander for on instant from his treasure; when
his childish feet reached the place where he
supposed it would be lying the gold piece was
not there-it had mysteriously disappeared.
A look of chagrin darkened his iubilant face.
He wondered what had become of his money.
Perhaps it had slipped into crevice of the jut-
ting rock that sprang from the bluff overhead.
Or might 1t not have rolled into the water
Anyway, be could not find it and he was dis
consolate at his loss Presently he abandoned
the search, and, sitting down in the sand, he
began to cry bitterly.
The sunlight grew dim, and a tall man, whose
figure resembled silhouette drawn on the pale
forget-me-not sky, approached from the other
end of the beach, He wore rough dress and
walked with limp. Across his shoulder hung
long string of silvery fish. He saw tine little
boy, and, pausng in front of him, spoke almost
tendery
swell, my little man, what is the matter ?"
he asked
the child lifted his tear-washed face. ave
lost my gold piece" he answered.
"How was thats" inquired the man, inter
ested.
"Why was rolling it along the sand, and
all at once it was gone. l shall be punished
for losing it." and he eobbed afresh
The man came step nearer. "Was 1t your
ownP Did it belong to you?'
"Yes; to-day is my birthday and my grand
mother gave it to me''
"Poor little chap" saiu the lame man, kindly
''Let me help you look for t'
He began without delay to search in the wet
sand and among the pebbles, the boy, his small
body bent almost double, following him with
eyes riveted upon the ground. The fsherman's
glance was keener than tbe child's, and it was
not long before he caught the mild CLEAN of
something lying under fragment of project
ing rock. He looked again-yes, he saw yell
low speck much brighter than the surround
ing sand-a mere, tiny dot of flashing gold,
and as he gazed his heart beat little more
quickly. He drew himself up, turned his ewes
elsewhere, opened his lips, then closed them
again and said nothing. By and by he spoke in
strangely calm voice.
"There's no use looking" he said "It is
losts you will never find it.''
The boys mouth quivered, his breath came in
gasps. perhaps, if I come tomorrow with
my governess,, we might find it," he replied;
but there was hopelessness in his tone
s'Are you staying at the hotel ?" asked the
fisherman, looking dreamily at the sea.
"Yes, and must go home now, 'with sigh:
u promised not to stay after sunset, and the
Cynn No
and the child added, ''Do you think the gold
piece could have been washed away by
wave?"
"Possibly,
1t was spinning along like little golden wheel,
and then-well, will come back tomorrow
early in the morning and see if | can find it''
Still the man made no answer. All the light
had shifted from his figure and the silver scales
OF the fish had turned to gray.
"Good-bye," said the boy. Then, as an after
thought, "What is your name ?''
"Caspar-they call me Lame Caspar be-
cause-of this,' and he pointed sullenly to his
right leg.
'Well, thank you for helping me to look for
my gold piece, Lame Caspar," said the boy, and
he turned away with little choking sob and
began to ascend the steps that led In winding
curves up the cliffs. He glanced back when he
reached the top and saw Lame Caspar walking
slowly on, his string of fish over his shoulder. his
head bent forward He did not walk far. how
ever. BY and by he stopped, and, wheeling 1
about on his lame leg, retraced his steps in the
direction he had come. He crept to the byer-
hanging rocks that now cast great purple
shadows on the sand. The short-liyed after
noon was dying, and the sky was alame in the
west. Slowly and cautiously the man ap-
proac6ed the projecting corner where he had
seen the minute yellow speck, and crouching
on hands and knees he drew forth the cold
piece. Then he stood up and moved away into
deeper shadow further on. thrill of excite
ment swept over him as he examined what he
mad found-a gold eagle, polished, heavy, and
beauttul. lie had never seen one before, and
TO MS untutored mind it represented untold
wealth. A quick ecstacy shot through him as
he felt the cold surface of the metal ON his
rough palm, and he began to think of what II
would buy-a whole winters store of tobacco
and bacon. or else new pea-iacket and fresh
fishing tackle. He was in luck for once I For
tune had smiled on him.
"Hallo |" cried voice, rudely interruptinp
his reVerie. WHATS that you've got?"
Caspar startedin alright and horrible sense
OF guilt overcame him. He shook like an asnen
lear until his dazed senses discovered who had
spoken. Then his fear left him and he grew
angry and defiant. fellow-fsherman with a
strlng OF hsh and net stood beside him hav
ing approached unperceVed from behind the
crags.
WHATS that you've got ?" repeated the new
comer.n
Caspar,s hand closed oVerthe gold piece like
wise. Nothing" he retorted.
"but saw 1T. 1t was gold. Does gold grow
In the sand or on the rocks ?' and he laughed
coarsely.
Caspar hesitated. He knew 1t would be use.
less to attempt any denial, go he replied in