The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1892-09-24

picCt. Heu ne SlOOu up anu ulONtu away /
into a deeper shadow farther on. A |
thrill of excitement swept over him rs
he examined what he had found-a gold |
eagle, polished, heavy and beautiful. |
He had never seen one before and to his
unturored 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 it would buy-a whole
winters store of tobacco and bacon, or
else a new peajacket and fresh fishing
tackle. He was III luck for oncel For
tune had smiled on him.
"Hallor' cried a voice, rudely inter
rupting his revery. Whats that you've
got!'
rible sense of guilt overcame him. He
shook like an aspen leaf until his dazed
senses discovered who had spoken. Then
his fear left him and he grew angry
and defiant. A fellow fisherman with y
string of fish and n net stood beside him,
having approached unperceived from be-
hind the crags.
What's that you've got?" repeated the
newcomer.
Caspar's hand closed over the gold
piece like a wise. Nothing" he re-
torted.
sBut / saw it. 1t was gold. Does
! gold grow il the sand or on the rocks?'
and he laughed coarsely.
Caspar hesitated. He knew it would
be useless to attempt any denial, so he
replied indifTerently: Il sold some fish
to a lady and she paid Inc for them.
Now are you satisfied" and he frowned
darkly.
"What luck!" exclaimed the other
al wish she'd bought of me-" Then he
added, with a tinge of suspicion, "Dlc
she carry them HERSELF
mo, she had servant" answered
Caspar angrily. He did not wish to pro
long the conversation. so he turned
away, remarkins. GOOD night, In
surly accent.
But you'll treat firstg' called tn
other after him. I'm chilled to tn
, bone"
mo, let me alone; I've something t
, do at home" and he strobe on.
you'll give all the lads drop at Th
Bull tonight, anyway" cried the mar
when one has such luck as that b
, doesn't forget his friends. I'll tell tn
e lads to expect you"
Lame Caspar's anger arose. lie mu
\ tered an oath as he limped on in II
9 darkening twilight. Treat! Not n
I He meant to keep the gold piece for hin
f self. 1t was hard, indeed, If ma
f couldn't keep what belonged to mn
!. But it doesn't belong to you" a vo''
y seemed to cry within him. 1T belong
v to the golden haired boy" Gasp
i turned to see if any one was followir
q him. He saw nobody. yet a pecuh
a. dread possessed him. When he reach,
!, his hut. on the outskirts of the settl
70 ment. he carefully bolted the door Z
fore he lighted the candle that he stu
II into the neck of bottle. He sat dov
bv the rickety old table and examir
b the gold piece leisurely. 1t scintillat
o. in the dim. red candle light like hvi
~ thing. He was afraid to sit there ho
o. ing it in his hand for any length OF TIN
II had already been discovered in
NJ possession and soon the whole villa
no would know of it. Possibly the ne
might spread to the little boys ears a
III then
er AS this thought occurred to him
he fingers trembled so violently that
u. gold piece fell Gathering on the tar
We He began to regret that he had not Gi'
it to the boy. but it was too late nc
and besides he wanted it. de loved
a look at it. 1t was the most beauti
n thing he had ever seen; but he must Il
il away somewhere-hide it until
he made up his mind to spend it. he the
fore placed it in "a cup and locked
All cup in a closet. After this he COO
nd his supper and went to bed.
ed Through his feverish dreams all nj
long brilliant showers of gold dan
an and twined themselves into fanta
shapcs. Sometimes they seemed TO
mar from an immense height and threate
MI crush him beneath their weight, anu
cried out in desperate terror. His
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