The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-09-27

at once
But want it for Nanny" cried Jack, "and
how can tell who owns it, when there were
ever so many barrels emptied in that hcap,
and no one ever knows where they come
from
ITS very like you won't find the owner
and you can do rs you please, but us hohes'
to try, I'm thinking, for some poor SirI may
have lost her earnings that way, ana we
wouldn't like that ourselves" said Mrs
Quinn, turning over the shabby pocketDook
and carefully searching for some clue 10 lis
lOwner.
Nanny looked very sober, and Jack grab
bed up the money as if it were too precious
to lose. But he wasn't comfortable ana al
tier hard fight with himself, he consented 10
let Mrs Quinn ask their policeman what
they should do. He was kindly man, and
when he heard the story, said he'd do what
was right, and if he couldn't find an owner,
Jack could have the fifty dollars back
How hard 1t was to watt how Jack
thought and dreamed of his money day and
might, how Nanny ran to the door to ilsten
when a heavy step came up the stairs! and
how wistfully the darkcncd eyes turned TO
the light they 50 longed TO see again.
Honest John Floyd did his duty, but he
didn't find the owner; so the old purse came
/
with u clear conscience. Nanny was asleep
when it happencd and rs they sat counting
the dngy bulls, Mrs. Quinn said TO the boy,
! Jack, you'd better keep this for yourself |
doubt if it is enough to do the child any good
and you need clothes and shoes and heap OF
things, let alone the books you banker after
so much. 1t amt likely you'll ever find an
other wallet It's all luck about Nanny S
eyes, and you are only throwing away n
chance that you will probably never have
again"
Jack leaned his head on his arm and stared
at the money all spread out there, and looking
so magnificent to him that it seemed as II he
could buy half the world. He did need
clothes, his hearty boy appetite did long for
better food and oh, how splendid it would
be to 90 and buy the books he had wanted SO
long-the books that would give him a taste
of the knowledge that was more enticing to
his wide-awake young mind than clothes ana
food for his body.
1t wasn't an easy thing for him to do, but
he was used to making small sacrilces; ana
the great one was less hard, and when he hau
broOded over the money for few minutes III
thoughtful silence, his eyes went from the
precious bits of paper to the dear little face
in the trundebed, and he said with decid,
ed nod, an give Nanny the chance, and
I'll work for my things, or else go without
em."
Mrs Quinn was matteroftact body, but
her hard old face softened when he said that,
and she kissed him goodnight almost as gen.
tly as if she had been his mother
Next day Jack presented himself at Dr.,
Wilkinson $ door, with the money in one hand
and Nanny in the other, saying boldly to the
grufr servant, II want to see the doctor | can
nay So vnu'I better LET me in. ~
Pm afraid cross Thomas would have shut
the door in the boys face again, II II had not
been tor the little blind girl, who looked up
to him so impOringly that he couldn't resist
the mute appeal.
The doctors going out, but maybe hell
see you a minute" and with that he led them
! into room where stood "A tall man putting
on his gloves.
| Jack was modest boy, but he was so
afraid that Nanny would lose her chance,
that he forgot himself and told the story as
fast rs he could told it well, too fancy, for
the doctor listened attcntiyey, his eye going
from the boys eager, flushed face to the pale
patient one beside him, rs if the two little
the story better tnan the finest artist conld
have done.
When Jack ended, the doctor sat Nanny on
his knee, gently lifting up the halfshut eye
lids and after examining the film minute,
stroked her pretty hair, and said so kindly
that she nestled her little hand Contidingly in
his, 81 think can help you, my dear Tell
me where you live, and I'll attend to it at
once, for it is high time that something was
done"
Jack told him the place, adding with a.
manly air, 81 can pay you, sir, If nifty dollars
is enough
Quite enough" said the doctor, with a
drOll smile
"If it isn't, I'll work for the rest, if you'll
trust me. Please save Nannys eyes, and I'll
do anything to pay you" cried Jack, getting
red and choliy in his carneslncss.
The doctor stopped smiling, and held out
his hand in a grave and respectful way as he
said, "l'll trust you, my boy. We will cure
Nanny first and you and | will settle the bill
Jack liked that; il was q gcntlcnauIy way
of doing things, and he showed his satisiac-
ton by smiling all over his face and giving |
the big white hand a hearty shake with both |
his rough ones.
The doctor was busy man, but he kept
them some time; for there were 10 children
in the fine house, and it seemed pleasant to
have "A little girl sit on his knee, AID bright
boy stand beside his chair; and when at last
they went away, they looked rs if he had Civ
en- them some magic medicine, which made |
them forget every trouble that they had ever
known.
Next day the kind man came to give Nan
ny her chance. She had no doubt and very
little fear but looked up at him so confding-
Iy when all was ready, that he stopped down
and kissed her softly before he touched her
eyes.
Let Jack hold my hands, then I'll he still !
and not mind If ii hurts me-" she said. SO
Jack, pale with anxiety, knclt down before
her and kept the little hands in his all through
The minutes that seemed SO very, very long to
him.
What do you see, my child" asked the
doctor, when he had done something to both |
ewes with Il quick, skilltul hand
Nanny leaned forward with the film all |
zone, and answered with a little cry of joy |
that went to the hearts of those who heard il |
Jacks face! | see il, oh, ! see itw
Only frcckled, round face, with wet eyes |
- lane &, IL |