I do n't think a basket of cinders ever travelled at such a rate before as Mrs. Quinn 's did that day ; for Jack tore home at a great pace , and burst into the room , waving the old duster , and shouting , ` Hooray ! I 've got it ! I 've got it ! ' It is no wonder Mrs. Quinn thought he had lost his wits ; for he looked like a wild boy , with his face all streaked with tears and red ashes , as he danced a double-shuffle till he was breathless , then showered the money into Nanny 's lap , and hugged her with another ` Hooray ! ' which ended in a choke . When they got him quiet and heard the story , Mrs. Quinn rather damped his joy , by telling him the money was n't his , and he ought to advertise it . ` But I want it for Nanny ! ' cried Jack ; ` and how can I ever find who owns it , when there was ever so many barrels emptied in that heap , and no one knows where they came from ? ' ` It 's very like you wo n't find the owner , and you can do as you please ; but it 's honest to try , I 'm thinking , for some poor girl may have lost her earnin 's this way , and we would n't like that ourselves , ' said Mrs. Quinn , turning over the shabby pocket-book , and carefully searching for some clue to its owner . Nanny looked very sober , and Jack grabbed up the money as if it were too precious to lose . But he was n't comfortable about it ; and after a hard fight with himself he consented to let Mrs. Quinn ask their policeman what they should do . He was a kindly man ; and when he heard the story , said he 'd do what was right , and if he could n't find an owner , Jack should 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 which they longed to see again . Honest John Floyd did his duty , but he did n't find the owner ; so the old purse came back at last , and now Jack could keep it with a clear conscience . Nanny was asleep when it happened ; and as they sat counting the dingy bills , Mrs. Quinn said to the boy , ` Jack , you 'd better keep this for yourself . I doubt if it 's enough to do the child any good ; and you need clothes and shoes , and a heap of things , let alone the books you hanker after so much . It ai n't likely you 'll ever find another wallet .
It 's all luck about XXXXX 's eyes ; and maybe you are only throwing away a chance you 'll never have again . '
Floyd Jack Nanny Quinn day dollars duster earnin pocket-book right