The Irish standard., 1892-12-10
i 4 = lC.E',..

ID 1luQul9L1Q2s uN6S OF IOStlu d lLLl6 10y
was gleefully rolling yellow gold piece
upon the pa1er 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 an
instant from his treasure; when his
childish feet reached the place where he
supposed it would be lying. the gold
niece 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 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,
md he was disconsolate at his loss.
Presently he abandoned the search, and
sitting down in the sand be began to cry
bitterly
The sunlight grew dim, and tall
,nan, whose figure resembled 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 a 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
ier?' he asked.
The child lifted his tear washed face.
I've lost my gold piece, he answered.
GLOW was that?" inquired the man, in
serested.
"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 step nearer. "Was
it your own? Did it belong to your
Eyes: 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
1he wet sand and among the pebbles, the
boy. his small body bent almost double,
following him with eyes riveted upon
the ground. The fshermans glance was
keener than the childs. and it was not
long before he caught the mild CLEAN Of
something lying under fragment of
projecting rock. He looked again; yes,
nc saw a yellow speck much brighter
than the surrounding sand--sa mere, tiny
dot of flashing gold and as ne gazed his
heart beat a trihe more quickly. He
drew himself up, turned lis eyes else
where, opened his lips, then closed them
again and SAID nothing. By and by he,
spoke in a stl arlgely calm voice.
..Theres no use looking" he said. ''It
is lost; you will never find it,
The boys mouth qnvered, his breath
came in gasps. Perhaps if l came to-
morrow with my governet;s we might
find it" he replied; but there was hope
lessness in his tone.
care you staying at the hotel?' asked
the fisherman. looking dreamily at the
sea.
Eyes, and must go home now with
a sigh; 81 promised not to stay after
sunset, and the SIM is nearly gone. The
man made no reply and the child added,
<sDo You think the gold piece could have
been washed away by d wave?''
Possibly" 7.
81 only took my eyes off of it for
moment. It was spinning along like q
little golden wheel and then-well, l
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
she silver scales Of the fish had turned
TO gray.
."sGoodby," said the boy. Then, as an
afterthought, What is your manner"
ssCaspar they call me Lame Caspar
because-of this" and he pointed sui
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 CASPIAN
walking slowly on, hisstriny Of 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
exchanging rocks that now cast great
purple shadows on the sand. The short
lived afternoon was dying and the sky
was afame in the west. Slowly and
cautiously the man approached the pro-
jecting corner where he had seen the
inmate yellow speck, and crouchlng Oh
hands and knees he drew forth the gold
piece. Then he stood up and moved away
into a deeper shadow farther on A
thrill Of excitement swept over him as
be examined what he had found-a gold
eagle, polished, heavy and beautiful.
He had never seen one before and to his
nntrrored 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