"What are you about, Harry?" he asked, apparently very much astonished at his chum's occupation. "Are you going to pull the house down?"
"Not exactly. You know my pill box?" replied Harry, suspending operations to watch Edward's expression when he told him of his loss.
"Gone!" exclaimed Edward, starting back with surprise.
"It must be there now, then. I will help you find it."
Edward manifested a great deal of enthusiasm in the search. He was sure it must be where Harry had put it, or that it had rolled back out of sight; and he began tearing up the floor with a zeal that threatened the destruction of the building. But the box could not be found, and they were obliged to abandon the search.
"That is a fact; I can't spare that money, anyhow. I have been a good while earning it, and it is too thundering bad to lose it."
"I don't understand it," continued Edward.
"Nor I either," replied Harry, looking his companion sharp in the eye. "No one knew I had it but you."
"Do you mean to say I stole it?" exclaimed Edward, doubling his fist, while his cheek reddened with anger.
"Don't get mad, Edward. I didn't mean to lay it to you."
"Didn't you?" And Edward was very glad to have the matter compromised.
"I did not; perhaps I spoke hastily. You know how hard I worked for this money; and it seems hard to lose it. But no matter; I will try again."
Mrs. Flint and Katy were much grieved when Harry told of his loss. They looked as though they suspected Edward, but said nothing, for it was very hard to accuse a son or a brother of such a crime.
Mrs. Flint advised Harry to put his money in the savings bank in future, promising to take care of his spare funds till they amounted to five dollars, which was then the smallest sum that would be received. It was a long time before our hero became reconciled to his loss. He had made up his mind to be a rich man; and he had carefully hoarded every cent he could spare, thus closely imitating the man who got rich by saving his fourpences.
A few days after the loss he was reading in one of Katy's Sunday school books about a miser. The wretch was held up as a warning to young folks by showing them how he starved his body and soul for the sake of gold.
"That's why I lost my money!" exclaimed Harry, as he laid the book upon the window.