Tommy 's hens were at the bottom of the trouble , for if they had not persisted in laying so many eggs , he could not have sold them and made such sums . Money is the root of all evil , and yet it is such a useful root that we can not get on without it any more than we can without potatoes . Tommy certainly could not , for he spent his income so recklessly , that Mr. Bhaer was obliged to insist on a savings-bank , and presented him with a private one an imposing tin edifice , with the name over the door , and a tall chimney , down which the pennies were to go , there to rattle temptingly till leave was given to open a sort of trap-door in the floor . The house increased in weight so rapidly , that Tommy soon became satisfied with his investment , and planned to buy unheard-of treasures with his capital . He kept account of the sums deposited , and was promised that he might break the bank as soon as he had five dollars , on condition that he spent the money wisely . Only one dollar was needed , and the day Mrs. Jo paid him for four dozen eggs , he was so delighted , that he raced off to the barn to display the bright quarters to Nat , who was also laying by money for the long-desired violin . `` I wish I had 'em to put with my three dollars , then I 'd soon get enough to buy my fiddle , '' he said , looking wistfully at the money . `` P'raps I 'll lend you some . I have n't decided yet what I 'll do with mine , '' said Tommy , tossing up his quarters and catching them as they fell . `` Hi ! boys ! come down to the brook and see what a jolly great snake Dan 's got ! '' called a voice from behind the barn . `` Come on , '' said Tommy ; and , laying his money inside the old winnowing machine , away he ran , followed by Nat . The snake was very interesting , and then a long chase after a lame crow , and its capture , so absorbed Tommy 's mind and time , that he never thought of his money till he was safely in bed that night . `` Never mind , no one but Nat knows where it is , '' said the easy-going lad , and fell asleep untroubled by any anxiety about his property . Next morning , just as the boys assembled for school , Tommy rushed into the room breathlessly , demanding , `` I say , who has got my dollar ? '' `` What are you talking about ? '' asked Franz . Tommy explained , and Nat corroborated his statement .
Every one else declared they knew nothing about it , and began to look suspiciously at XXXXX , who got more and more alarmed and confused with each denial .
Bhaer Dan Franz Jo Nat P'raps dollar dollars savings-bank trap-door