Aunt Jo's scrap bag, Volume 1 : $b My boys, etc.Alcott, Louisa May
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Aunt Jo's scrap bag, Volume 1 : $b My boys, etc.
Alcott, Louisa May
Children's stories
Nanny's chance was _not_ a failure; and when she saw the next dandelions
he brought her, all the sunshine came back into the world brighter than
ever for Jack. Well might it seem so; for his fifty dollars bought him
many things that money seldom buys. The doctor wouldn't take it at
first; but when Jack said, in the manful tone the doctor liked although
it made him smile, 'It was a bargain, sir. I wish to pay my debts; and I
shan't feel happy if Nanny don't have it _all_ for her eyes. Please do!
I'd rather,'--then he took it; and Nanny did have it, not only for her
eyes, but in clothes and food and care, many times over; for it was
invested in a bank that pays good interest on every mite so given.
Jack discovered that fifty dollars was far less than most people would
have had to pay, and begged earnestly to be allowed to work for the
rest. The doctor agreed to this, and Jack became his errand-boy, serving
with a willingness that made a pleasure of duty; soon finding that many
comforts quietly got into his life; that much help was given without
words; and that the days of hunger and rags, heavy burdens and dusty
ash-heaps, were gone by for ever.
The happiest hours of Jack's day were spent in the doctor's chaise, when
he made his round of visits; for while he waited, the boy studied or
read, and while they drove hither and thither, the doctor talked with
him, finding an eager mind as well as a tender heart and a brave spirit
under the rough jacket of his little serving-man. But he never called
him that; for remembering the cheerfulness, self-denial, honesty, and
loyalty to those he loved, shown by the boy, the good doctor proved his
respect for the virtues all men should covet, wherever they are found,
and always spoke of Jack with a smile, as 'My Little Gentleman.'
_BACK WINDOWS._
As I sit working at my back window, I look out on a long row of other
people's back windows; and it is quite impossible for me to help seeing
and being interested in my neighbours. There are a good many children in
those houses; and though I don't know one of their names, I know them a
great deal better than they think I do. I never spoke a word to any of
them, and never expect to do so; yet I have my likes and dislikes among
them, and could tell them things that they have said and done, which
would astonish them very much, I assure you.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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