Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-07-31

me story Mrs. Quinn rather dam
pened his joy, by telling him that
the money wasn't his, aud that he
ought to advertise the same.
"But l wait.it for Nanny" cried
Jack, s.and how can ever find who
owns it, when there was ever SO
many barrels empticd in that heap,
and no one knows where they came
from?"
"It's very likely you won't find
the ownes5 AVID you can do as you
please, but it's honest to try, Pm
thinking, for some poor girl may
have lost her earnings this way,
and we wouldn't like that ourselves"
said Mrs. Quinn, turning over the
shabby pocket-book, and carefully
searching for a clue to its owner.
Nanny looked very sober, and
Jack grabbed up the money as if. it
were too precious to lose.
But he wasn't comfortable about
it; and after hard fight with him
self he consented to 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 the owner, Jack could
have the 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 to listen when a
heavy step came up the stairs! and
how wistfully the poor darkened
eyes turned to the light they longcd
to see again.
Honest John Floyd did his duty,
but he didn't find the owner; SO the
old purse came back at last, and now
Jack could keep it with clear con-
science. Nanny was asleep when
it happened; and as they sat count
ing the dingy bills, Mrs. Quinn
said to the boy "Jack, you'd better
keep this for yourself 1 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 another wallet. It's all luck
about Nanny's eyes; and maybe you
are only throwing away chance
you'll never have again."
Jack leaned his head on his hand
and stared at the money all spread
out there, and looking SO magnifi-
cent to him that it seemed as if it
could buy half the world. He did
need clothes; his hearty boys appe-
tite did long for better food; and oh!
how splendid it would be to go and
buy the books he wanted SO long
the books that were more enticing
to his wide-awake young mind than
clothes and food to his little body.
1t wasn't an easy thing to do, but he
was so used to making small sacri-
fees that a great one was less hard;
and when he had brooded over the
money a few moments in silence his
eyes went from those precious bits
Of paper to the dear little face in
the trundle-bed, and he said with q
decided nod, "I'll give Nanny the
chance, and work for my things, or
90 without 'em."
Mrs. Quinn was matter-of-fact
body; but her hard old face softencd
when he said that, and she kissed
him good night almost as gently as
if she'd been his mother.
Next day Jack presented himself
to DR.. Wilkinson's door, with the
money in one hand and Nanny in
the other, saying boldly to the gruff
servant, 81 want to see the doctor,
I can pay, so you'd better let me in. !"
am afraid cross Thomas would
have shut the door in the boys face
again if it had not been for the lit
tie blind girl, who looked up so i'm
ploringly that he could not resist
the mute appeal.
"Thc Doctor s going out; but
maybe he'll see you minute;" and
with this he led them into a room
where stood a tall man putting on
his gloves.
Jack was a modest boy; but he
was so afraid Nanny would lose her
chance, he forgot himself and told
his little story as fast as he could
told it well, too, I fancy, for the doc,
tor listened attentively, his eye 60
ing from the boys eager, flushed
face, to the pale, patient one beside
him, as if tho two little figures,
shabby though they were, illustrated
the story better than the finest artist
could have done. When Jack ended
the doctor set Nanny gently on his
knee, lifted up the halfshut eyelids,
and after examining the film min
ute, stroked her pretty hair, and
said SO kindly that she nestled her
little hand confdingly in his, 81
think l can help You, my dear. Tell
me where you live, and I'll attend
to it at once, for it is high time
something was DONE"
Jack told him, adding with a
manly air, as lie showed the money,
81 can pay you, sir, if fifty dollars
is enough"
"Quite enough" said the doctor,
with droll smile.
"If it isn't I'll work the rest if
you'll trust me. Please save Nan
ny's eyes and I'll do everything to
pay you'll" cried Jack, getting red