The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-05-14

1
among tlem. Jack got good basket
ful that day, and when the hurry was
over, sat down to rest and clear the
dirt off his face with an old silk duster
which he had picked out Of the rub.
bish. thinking Mrs. Quinn might wash
it up for a handkerchief. But he didn't
wipe bis dirty face that day, for, with
the rag out tumbled a pocketbook
and on opening it he saw money. Yes
a roll of bills, with two figures on all
Of them, three tens and one twenty.
1t took his breath away for a minute
then he bugged the old book tight in
both hands, and rocked to aud fro all
in heap among the oyster shells and
old, rusty tin kettles, saying to him.
self with tears running down his
cheeks, 20 Nanny . Nanny now l
can do il u
don't think basket of cinders
ever travelled at such rate before as
did Mrs. Quinn's that day; for Jack
tore home at u great pace, and hurst.
ing into the room waving the old dust
er and shouting, "Hooray! I've got
it I've got it T.
1t is no wonder Mrs. Quinn thought
he had lost wits, fer he looked like a
wild boy. with his face all streaked
with tears and ashes, as he danced a
double shuttle till he was breathless,
then showered the money in Nanny's
lap. and hugged her with another
Hoeray. ended with choke. When
they got him quiet aud heard the story,
Mrs. Quinn dampened his JOY by tell.
ing him the money did not belong to
him, and he ought to advertise the
same.
"But want it for Nannyp cried
Jack, "and how can find who owns
it, when there are ever so many bar
rels emptied in that heap, and no one
can tell where they come fromp,
"It's very likely you wont fnd the
owner, and you can do as yeu please,
but its honest to try, Pm thinking, for
some poor girl may having lost her
earnings in that way, and We would.
mt like that ourselves" said Mrs.
Quiun, turning over the pocket book
and carefully searching for clue to
its owner.
Nanny looked very sober, and Jack
grabbed up the money as ifit was to
precious to lose. But he wasn't COM
Portable about it, and after a hard
fight with himself he consented to let
Mrs. Quinn consult their policeman as
to what they should do. He was
kindly man, and when he heard the
story, said he'd do what was right,
and if he could not find the owner,
Jack could have tine fifty dollars back.
How hard it was to wait. how Jack
thought and dreamed of his money,
day and night How Nanny ran to
the door tc listen hen heavy step
came up the stairs And how wistfnl-
ly the poor darkened eyes turned to
the light they longed to see again.
Honest John Floyd did his duty,
but he didn't find the ewner: So the
old purse came back at last. and now
Jack could keep it with clear con
ecience. fanny WAS asleep when it
happened and as they sat counting
the dingy bills. Mrs. Quinn said to
the boy, Jack, you had better keep
this for your self, doubt if its enough
to do the child any gnod, and you
need clothes and shoes, and heap of
things, let alone the books you banker
after so much. IL amt likely you'll
ever find another wallet. It's all luck
about Nanny's eyes and may be you
are throwing a%ay chance you'll
never have again"
Jack leaned his head on his arm,
and started at the money all spread
out there, and it looked 81 magnificent
TO him that it seemed as ii it could
buy him half the world. He did peed
clothes his hearty hoys appetite did
long far hetter fooo; and, oh how
splendid it would be to go and buy
The books he had wanted so long
the books that would give him taste
of the knowledge that was more eli.
ticing to his wide-awake young mind
than clothes and food to his poor LIT
lie body. 1t wasn't an easy thing to
do, but he was so used to making
small sacrifices that the great one was
less hard and when he had hrooded
over the money few minutes in
thoughtful silence, his eyes went from
the precious bits of paper to the dear lit
tie face in the trnndle bed, and he
said with determined nod, "Pll
give Nanny the chance, and work for
my things, or go without them.
Mrs. Quinn vas a maIter-of- fact
body but her hard old face softened
when he said that. and she kissed him
good. night almost US gently at if she
had been his mother.
Next day Jack presented himself
at DIR. Wilkinson's door, with the
money in one haud and Nanny in the
other saying boldly to the grut' serV.