Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-07-27
Jauet's Fortune.

Jauet's Fortune.
And when die, shall leave my fortune
to the one who will use it to the best adyant-
age" said Grandma Leeds, smiling from be-
hind her spectacles, to the young girls around
her,
Your fortune, grandma What will it
be ? That old basket, with its horrid yarn
and needles, and the never-ending knitting
work. If so, you need not leave it with me
Janet will use it to ihF better advantage than
| could"
Yes Lettie you are right, and I'm sure
| don't want it, either. HIM what a for.
tune, to be sure !"
"Ill accept it, grandma, and prize it, il
you will only add your sweet, contented dis
position. 1t would be 0 fortune which none
of US need despise."
Janet Leeds was the youngest of the family
and the plainest. She had a sweet, fresh face
and tender eyes, but these paled into ugliness
before Lettie's black orbs and shining curls
and the blonde loveiness of belle Margaret
so she settled back like modest violet in the
chimney-corner, and waited on grandma, OF
assisted the maid in the house-work.
Once in a while she ventured out to party
in the village, but so seldom, that people
never observed her. That made it unpleas.
ant, and she stayed at homo still closer.
But on that morning, while they sat chat
ting with grandma, she felt deal of real dis.
content, for the first time in months.
Clara Bosworth, her bosom friend, was to
give party that evening, and she could not
20. For weeks preparations had been going
on in their quiet family She had given up
the money saved for new winter cloak, that
Lettie's green silk might be trimmed for tho
occasion, and the best dress she had in the
world was a plain garnet.colorod poplin with
black velvet trimmings
She had family suggested that she might
wear that, but the cry of dismay from her
sisters sienced her.
Go and wear that old poplin cried
Lettie, from the cloud of white, billowy lace
that was to adorn the green silk +" You
must be crazy!
81 should think SO" chimed Margaret, who
was fitting lace berthe over the waist of the
delicate lilac satin, DO you want Austin
hosworth to think us a family of paupers ?
1t is TO be a grand affair, and Clara expects
all who honor it with their presence to pay
her respect enough to dress respectfully. It
is Austin's first appearance after his European
tour, and surely you do not want him to think
meanly Of US "
The tears came up, but Janet was brave,
and no one saw thom.
That night, when the two girls-the one in
ha. do IL baouttr anJ l,,1I
array, the other all delicacy, her fair, pearl
lovelness enhanced by the pale-purple color
Of her splendid dress--came laughing into
grandma's room, little shadow darkened her
face, and she found it very hard to keep back
the teass,
L" Fine feathers mako fine birds, but fine
birds do moi always sing the sweetest, Janet"
said grandma, after they were gone. 81 know
who is the true one in this family. | know
my little singing bird, jamie, aud she is
dearer than a dozen fine ladies'. Austin and
Clara will come tomorrow, and no will tell
us about his travels in foreign lands and you
will be far happier than you would be up at
the house tonight amid dancing, and confu-
sion"
81 suppose so, grandma and Janet took
her seat by the fire and went on knitting, with
peaceful face,
The eldest sisters came home with rumpled
plumage, but in high spirits.
Austin Bosworth had returned, handsome,
polished gentleman, and had flrted desper.
ately with Lettie.
"Why, grandma, no almost proposed to
her laughed Margaret, who was engaged to
Judge Loonards hopeful son, and therefore,
had no place for jealousy. More than one
of the company predicted that it would be a
match
"Don't count your chickens before they
are hatched,' callod grandma from her pillow
Austin Hosworth is no fool, can tell
you!"
"What an old croaker!"
They were entering their chamber across
the hall, but grandma's ears were not dulled
by age, and she clearly heard them
Don't mind them, grandma whispered
Janet, who had waited to help them lay aside
their 6nery
"Mind them DO you think | shall,
Janet Leeds2"
Next day Austin Bosworth came. lie
was too familiar with the old house to stop
for bell-ringing, and he entered, crossing the
hall directly past the parlor door, where
Margaret and Lette were waiting in their taste
ful afternoon costumes, and walking straight
on to Grandma Leeds room.
She was there with her work, her placid
face beaming beneath the hee-bordered cap
A graceful, girlish figure half knelt beside
her, wreathing with def fingers bunch Of
evergreens into frame for a mante orna.
ment, AMI her eyes were lifted smilingly to
the old ladys face.
Grandma Leeds
"Why bless my heart, it is Austin Come
here my boy
And the fine gentleman oamo and gave both
hands to hor in delight
'Janle, my little playmate, too What
happy meeting. Clara came down, dressed
for call and declared she would come but
told her no knew the amount of gallantry
| should be obliged TO use, and | preferred
that my first visit should be like the old
ones"
"You are right. We are better pleased
TO have il 30, arc We not Janet 2"
His call heightened itself into two hours,
and during the time he told pleasant stories
and chatted like the boy of bygone days, but
not once did Margaret'S or Lettie's name pass
his lips.
When he went away he met them coming
with disappointed faces from the parlor, where
hey had been waiting for him but he only
lifted his hat and passed out. Thun grandma /