Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-05-26
TEE GOLD PIECE.

was gleefully rolling yellow gold piece upon the paler yellow of the sand. Tho 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 a 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- lant face. He wondered what had be- come of his money. Perhaps it had slipped into Q crevice of the jutting rock that sprang from the bluff overhead. Or might it not have rolled into the water2 Anyway, he could not find it, and he was disconsolate at his loss Presently he abandoned the search, and sitting down in the sand he began to cry bitterly.
 The sunlight grew dim, and tall man, whose figure resembled 8 silhouette drawn on the pale forgetmenot sky, ap- preached from the other end of the beach. He wore rough dress and walked with limp. Across his shoulder hung Q long string of silvery fish. He saw the little boy, and pausing in front of him spoke almost tenderly:
 "Well, my little man, what is the mat terf' he asked.
 The child lifted his tear washed face. ''Pve lost my gold piece, he answered.
 "How was that2' inquired the man, in- terested.
 "Why, was rolling it along the sand, and all at once it 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 to youT''
 "Yes; today is my birthday and my grandmother gave it to 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 riveted upon the ground. The fsherman's glance was keener than the child's, and it was not long before he caught the mild gleam of something lying under fragment of projecting rock. He looked again; yes, he saw yellow speck much brighter than the surrounding sand-a mere, tiny dot of flashing gold, and as he gazed his heart beat a trihe more quickly. He drew himself up, turned his eyes else where, opened his lips, then closed them again and said nothing. By and by he spoke in a strangely calm voice.
 "There's no use looking" he said. ''It is lost; you will never find it."
 The boys mouth quivered, his breath came in gasps. ''Perhaps if came to- morrow with my governess we might find it, ," he replied; but there was hope lessness in his tone.
 "Are you staying at the hotel?" asked the fisherman, looking dreamily at the sea.
 "Yes, and must go home now," with sigh; 'I 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 Q wave?
 Possibly"
 ''I only took my eyes off of it for a moment. It was spinning along like a little golden wheel and then-well, will come back tomorrow early in the morning and see if I 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.
 "Goodby," said the boy. Then, as an afterthought, "What is your nameY'
 "Caspar-they call me Lame Caspar because-of this," and he pointed sul- lenly 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 a 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 stringof fish over his shoulder, his head bent forward. He did not walk far, however. By and by he stopped, and wheeling about on his lame leg, retraced his steps in the di- rection he had come. He crept to the everhanging rocks that now cast great purple shadows on the sand. The short lived afternoon was dying and the sky was adame in the west. Slowly and cautiously the man approached the pro jecting corner where he had seen the minute yellow speck, and crouching on hands and knees he drew forth the gold piece. Then he stood up and moved away into deeper shadow farther on. A thrill of excitement swept over him as he examined what he had found-a gold eagle, polished, heavy and beautiful. He had never seen one before and to his unturorcd 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 new peajaclzet and fresh fishing tackle. He was in luck for oncel For tune had smiled on him..
 . "HalloI" cried voice, rudely inter rupting his revery. "What's that you've