Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-08-04
JANET's FORTUNE.

"And when die shall leave my for
tune to the one who will use it to the
best advantage" said Grandma Leeds,
smiling from behind her spectacles to
the young girls around her.
"Your fortune, grandma? what will
it be1 That old basket, with its horrid
yarn and needles, and the never ending
knitting work? If so, you need not
leave it to me. Janet will use it to a
far better advantage than l could"
eyes. Lefty, you are right; and 1
am sure l don't want it, either HIM,
what a fortune, to be sureP'
'1'll accept it, grandma, and prize
it, if you will only add your sweet,
contented disposition. 1t would be a
fortune which none of US need des-
pise."
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 loveliness of belle Mar
garet. So she settled back like mod
est violet in the chimney corner, and
waited on her grandma, or assisted the
maid in the housework.
Once in a while she ventured out to
party in the village, but so seldom
that people never observed her. That
made it unpleasant, and she staid at
home still closer.
But that morning while they sat
chatting with grandma, she felt deal
of real discontentment, for the first
time in months.
Clara Bosworth, her bosom friend,
was to give party that evening, and
she could not go. For weeks prepara-
tions had been going on in their quiet
family. She had given up the money
saved for a new winter cloak that
Lettie's green silk might be retrimmed
for the occasion, and the best dress
she had in the world was a plain
garnet-colored poplin with black velvet
trimmings.
She had family suggested that she
might wear that, but the dismay of
her sisters silenced her.
$50 and wear that old poplinl" cried
Lettie, from the clouds of white bill
lowy lace that was to adorn the green
silk. "You must be crazy!"
81 should think so," chimed Marga-
rst, who was fitting lace berthe over
the waist of delicate lilac satin. "Do
you want Austin Bosworth to think US
a family of paupers? 1t is to be a
grand affair, and Clara expects all who
honor it will try to pay her respect
enough to dress respectfully. 1t is
Austin first appearance after his Eu-
ropean tour, and surely you do not
want him to think mean of us?"
The tears came up, but Janet was
brave and no one saw them.
That night, when the two girls--the
one in her dark beauty and wonderfully
becoming array; the other all delicacy,
her fair, pearl loveliness 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 tears.
"Fine feathers make fine birds, but
fine birds do not always sing the sweet
est, JAMIE" said grandma after they
were gone. / know who is the true
one in this family. know my little
singing bird, jamie, and she is dearer
than a dozen fine ladies. Austin and
Clara will come tomorrow, and he will
tell US about his travels in foreign
lands, and you will be far happier than
you would be at the house tonight,
with dancing and confusion"
81 suppose SO, grandma" and Janet
took her seat by the fire and went on
knitting, with peaceful face.
The elder sisters came home with
rumpled plumage, but in high spir-
its.
Austin Bosworth had returned, a
handsome gentleman, and had firted
desperately with Lettie.
Why, grandma, he almost proposed
to herP' laughed Margaret, who was
engaged to Judge Leonard's hopeful
son, and therefore had no place for jeal-
ousy, "More than one of the company
predicted that it would be match"
"Don't count your chickens before
they are hatchsd," called grandma
from her pillow. "Mr. Austin Bos-
worth is no fool, can tell you"
"What an old croaker!'
They were entering their chamber
across the hall, but grandmother's ears
were not dulled by old age, and she
clearly heard them.
Don't mind them, grandma" whis-
pered Janet, who had waited to help
them lay aside their 6nery.
"Mind theml Do you think 1 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 par
lor door, where Margaret and Lettie
waited in their tasteful afternoon cos
tunes, and walked straight on to
Grandma Leeds room.
She was there with her work, her
placid face beaming beneath the white,
lace-bordered cap.
A graceful, girlish figure half knelt
before her, wreathing with deft fingers
bunch of evergreens into frame
for a mantel ornament, and her eyes
were lifted smiling into the old lady's
face.
He entered and closed the door be-
fore either saw him.
"Grandma Leedsl'
"Why, bless my heart, it is Austinl
Come here my boy"