Evening journal., 1892-09-27
TIE GOLD PIECE.

Along the shining shore close towhcre
the waves dashed ana broke into long
undulaNng lines Of foam a little boy
was gleefully 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 a 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 an
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 jubi-
liant face He wondered what had be-
come Of his money Perhaps it had
slipped into a crevice OF the jutting rock
that sptang from the bluff overhead.
Or might It not have rolled into the
wateri Anyway, he could not find it,
and he was disconsolate at his loss.
Presently be abandoned the search, and
sitting down in the sand be began TO cry
bitterly.
The sunlight grew dim, and tall
man, whose figure resembled a silhouette
drawn on the pale forgetmenot sky, ap-
preached from the other end Of the
beach. He wore a rough dress and
walked with a limp Across his shoulder
hung long string Of silvery fish. He
saw the little boy, and pausing in front
Of him spoke almost tenderly:
"Wen. my little man. what is the mat
terY he asked.
The child lifted his tear washed face.
Two lost my gold piece" he answered.
Glow was that| inquired the man. in
terested.
"Why, ! was rolling it along the sand,
and all az once il was gone. / shall be
punished for losing it." and he sobbed
afresh.
The man came a step nearer. WAS
it your own Did it belong 10 your
"Yes; today is my birthday and my
grandmother gave II 10 me.
Poor little chap, said the lame man
kindly "Let me help you look for it"
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 riYeted upon
the ground. The fsherman's glance was
keener than the child's, and it was not
long before he caught the mild CLEAN Of
something lying under q fragment Of
projecting rock. lie looked again; yes,
he SAW yellow speck much brighter
than tho surrounding sand-a moro, tiny
dot Of flashing gold. and AZ he gazed his
heart beat trihe more quickly. Ho
drew himself up, turned his eyes else
where, opened his lips, then closed them
again and said nothing. BY and by he
spoke in n strangely calm voice.
There's no use looking" he said. at
is lost; you viii never find it,
The boys mouth quivered, his breath
came in gasps. Perhaps II l came to-
morrow with my goyerness we might
find it, he replied; but there was hope
lessness in his Tone
"Are you staying at the hotelr' asked
the fisherman. looking dreamily at the
sea.
YES, and must go home now" with
a sigh al promised not to stay after
sunset, and the sun is nearly gone" The
man made no reply and the child added
"Do you think the gold piece could have
been washed away by a wayer
Possibly"
81 only took my eyes OFF Of it for 0
moment. It was spinning along like 4
little golden wheel and then-wen,
viii come back tomorrow early in thl
morning and see II can find it."
Still the man made no answer. Al
the light had shifted from his figure an,
the silver scales Of the fish had turne,
20 gray.
"Goodby - said the boy. Then, as al
afterthought what is your namey"
"Caapar they call mo Lame Caspa
because-of this" and no pointed SUI
lenly to his right leg.
"Wcll. thank you for helping mo {
lool, for my gold piece, Lame Caspar,
said the boy; and be turned away wit
little choking sob and began to ascen
the steps that led in winding curves u
the cliffs. He glanced back when h
reached tho top and saw Lame Caspa
walking slowly on, his string of fish ovC
his shoulder. bis head bent forward Il
did not walk FAR, however. BY and /
he stopped, and wheeling about on n
lame leg. retraced bis steps in tho d
rcction he had come. He crept 10 q
everhanging rocks that now cast gre
purple shadows on the sand. The sho
lived afternoon was dying and the 81
was afame in the west Slowly az
cautiously the man approached the pr
jecting corner whore he had seen d
minute yellow speck. and crouching
hands and knees he drew forth the 60
piece. Then he stood up and moved avn
into deeper shadow farther ON
thrill Of excitement swept over him
be examined what he had found--a 70
eagle. polished. heavy and beautifl
Re had never seen one before and to J
unturorcd mind it represented unto
wealth A quick ecstacy shot throu
him as no felt the cold surface Of {
metal on his rongh palm, and he beg
10 think Of what it would buy-a VIII,
winters store of tobacco and bacon,
u 4