Adapted from Welsh Folk-Lore by Owain Elias
THE FOLLOWING TALE WAS TOLD TO Owain Elias by Thomas Jones, a small mountain farmer, who occupied land near Pont Petrual, a place between Ruthin and Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr. Jones informed Elias that he was acquainted with all the parties mentioned in the tale. His story was as follows:
A shoemaker, whose health would not permit him to pursue his own trade, obtained work in a tan yard at Penybont, near Corwen. The shoemaker lived in a house called Ty’n-y-graig, belonging to Clegir isa farm.
He walked daily to his employment, a distance of several miles, because he could not afford to pay for lodgings. One day, he noticed a round bit of green ground, close to one of the gates on Tan-y-Coed farm and going up to it discovered a piece of silver lying on the sward.
Day after day, from the same spot, he picked up a silver coin. By this means, as well as by the wage he received, he became a well-to-do man. His wife noticed the many new coins he brought home, and questioned him about them, but he kept the secret of their origin to himself. At last, however, in consequence of repeated inquiries, he told her all about the silver pieces, which daily he had picked up from the green plot.
The next day he passed the place, but there was no silver, as in days gone by, and he never discovered another shilling, although he looked for it every day. The poor man did not live long after he had informed his wife whence he had obtained the bright silver coins.