The Portland daily press., 1870-04-02

JANET'S FORTUNE.
"And when I die, I shall leave my fortune
to the one who will use it to the best advan-
tage," said Grandma Leeds, smiling from be-
hind her spectacles to the young girls around
her.
"Your fortune, graudma? What will it be?
That old basket, with its horrid yarn and
needles, and the never ending knitting work?
II 70, you need not leave it with me. Janet
Will use it to a far better advantage than I
could"
"Yes, Lettie, you are right; and I'm sure l
don't want it, either. HIM, what fortune,
10 be surev'
"I'll accept it, grandma, and prize it, if you
will only add your sweet, contented disposi-
tlon. II would be fortune which none OF
m need despise."
Janet Leeds was the youngest of the fami-
", and the plainest. She had sweet, fresh
face. and tender eyes; but these paled into
uglinsss before Lettie's black orbs and shin
ing culls, and the blonde loveliness of belle
Margaret. So she settled back like a modest
violet In the chimney-corner, and waited on
grandma, or assisted the maid in the house.
work.
Once in while she ventured out to party
In the village, but SO seldom, that people new
er observed her. That made it unpleasant,
and she staid at home still closer.
But on that morning. while they sat chat
ting with grandma, she felt deal of real dis
contentment for the first time in months.
Clara Bosworth, her bosom friend, was to
give party that evening, and she could not
60. 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 retrimmed for the
occasion, and the best dress she had in the
world was plain garnet-colored poplin with
black velvet trimmings. -se7
- She had family suggested that she might
wear that, but the cry of dismay from her
sister silenced her.
s'Go and wear that old poplnw cried Let
TIE, from the clouds of white billowy lace
that was to adorn the green silk. "You
must be crszyw
II should think So" chimed Margaret, who
was fitting lace bertha over the waist OF the
delicate lilac satin. "Do you want Austin
Bosworth to think us family of paupers?
1t is to be grand affair, and Clara expects all
who honor 1t 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 Gf
The tears came up, but Janet was brave,
and no one saw them.
That night, when the two girls-the one in
Iva udAh Uc6uCy duu WOuueFIuily becoming
array, the other all delicacy, her fair, pearl
loveliness enhanced by the pale purple color
OF h.- 'fiAsdid- dress laughing int
grandma's room, little shadow darKeieu T ner
face, and she found it very hard to keep back
he tears.
"Fine feathers make fine birds, but fine
birds do not always sing the sweetest, JAMIE"
said grandma. after they were gone. aI
know who is the true one in this family. l
krow my little singing bird, jamie, and she is
dearer than a dozen fine ladies. Austin and
Clara will come tomorrow, and he will tell
~ about his travels in foreign lands, and you
will be far happier than you would be up at
the house o-night, amid dancing and confu-
ion."
II suppose 80, grandma. and Janet took
her seat by the fire and went on knitting,
with . peaceful face.
The elder sister came home with rumpled
plumage, but in high spirits.
Austin Bosworth had returned, handsome,
polished gentleman, and had flir:ed desperate
y with Lettie.
Why, grandma, he almost proposed to
herl" laughed Margaret, who was engaged to
% Judge Lenard's Lena hopeful son, and, therefore,
Of the company predicted that it would be
match"
"Don't count your chickens before they are
Matched" called grandma from her pillow.
"4r. Austin Bosworth is no fool, can tell
our
@What an old croakerw
They were entering their chamber across
the hall, but grandmother'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 finery.
"Mind thsml Do you think shall, Janet
Leeds~ -
Next day Austin Bosworth came. he was
too familiar with the old house to stop for |
bell ringing, and he entered, crossing the hall |
directly past the parlor door, wnere Margaret |
aud Lettie waited in their tasteful afternoon |
costumes, and walked straight on to Grandma |
Leeds room.
She was there with her work, her placid |
Mce beamlng beneath the white lace-bordered |
cap.
A graceful girlish figure half knelt beside
her, wreathing with deit fingers bunch of |
evergreens into frame for mantel orna- |
ment, and her eyes were lifted smiling into
the old lady's face.
BE entered and closed the door, before eli.
ther saw him.
"Grandma Leedsr
why bless my heart, it is Austin! Come
here my boyv'
And the fine gentlemen came and gave both
hands to her in his delight.
O&uAC, Ay AfttlC PdyudJes IOOI W0at
happy meetingl Clara came down, dressed
for call, and declared she would come, but l |
told her no! knew the amount OF gallantry
sho aid feel obliged to use, and preferred |
that my first visit should be like the old ones"
"YOu are right. We are better pleased to |
have 1t so, are we not, Janet?" a
His call heightened itself into. two hours.
md turing the time he told pleasant stories,
md chatted like the boy of by-gone days, but
not once did Margaret's or Letlie's name pass
his lips.
When he went away he met them coming
Y, WIN disappointed faces from the parlor, where
sney %, nao been waiting for him; but he only
Luteo nus hat and passed out. Then grandma |
aho JAMIE received sound scolding such as
only these two knew how to give, and the
shaaows OF discontent again fell on Janet's
spirit.
All, that long. cheerless winter! What
story Janet could tell you OF disappointments
,f happy parties OF which she had no share
If moonlight rides, of joy and merrimenti
She had only that one comforter, kind, patient
|randma; for now that Austin Bosworth had
:ome the way was harder than before.
{, He came and escorted Lettie to parties, and
ometimes chatted with grandma, but nothing
more. She saw nothing More-she did not
atch the good-natured smiles he gave her
rom the sleigh as he rode away-and Lettie
SVcE tOlu ucT now OlCeu He dSk6Q lOT ucr. |
Alone with grandma, Janet wished for bet
er things, and wondered why she was so
larshly dealt with.
At last even the society of her aged COM
orter was denied her, and in her bed the old
10y gradually faded away. Day and night
anet sat beside her, with the knowledge that
he was beyond earthly help-waiting upon
er, yielding to the childish whims, and shut
ing out everything youthful and beautiful
ON her sight.
"Playing household angel" Margaret said.
"Working for grandma's fortune of old
noes and worsted stockings" Lettie cruelty
.d long ,og her duty by the faithful woman who
ar haas. assn the three motherless children into
az a. a. ec,., and filled the lost ones place, so
'nd steadi,pp phmitted, sha }" her own heart said, s
.st hall a. " ~ nay brought invitations to the
=" 10 n,dnr o n:oswoith house. and while
ne Two elder sisters laid out tSa %au ema wnale 4
anet folded her tiny missiye, que ana nnnery,
way next to her heart as sacred uI ~. no IL
er, bearing Austin's firm broad chiroan un Pa i
pom it. s'apny
That night grandma was very i'll, and when :
[argaret and Lettie fu.tered in with Their 5
~ dresses, Janet met them, and almost fore
ny put them out of the room. :
Nonsense Don't be fool, Janet-any-
ody would think she was dying"
u believe she is"