Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-05-13
SELECTED STORY
JANET'S FORTUNE.

JANET'S FORTUNE.
"And when die l shall leave my for
tune to the enc who will use it to the hes
advantage" said Grandma Leeds, smiling
from behind her spectacles to the young
girls around her.
"Your fortune, grandma? What will i
be? That old basket. with its horrid yarl
and needles, and the never ending knitting
work. If 50, you need not leave with me
Janet will use it to far better advantage
than I could"
"Yes, Lettie, you arc right; and Tn
sure I don't want it, either. HIM, what &
fortune, to be sure !"
"Pll accept it, grandma, and prize it i
you will only add your sweet, contented dis
position It would be fortune which none
Of us need despise"
Janet Leeds was the youngest of the fam
lily, and the plainest. She had sweet
fresh face, and tender eyes but these palec
into ugliness before Lettie's black orbs ano
shining curls, and the blonde loneliness O.
belle Margaret So she settled back in the
chimney corner, and waited on grandma, OF
| assisted the maid in the homework.
Once in while she ventured out to 9
party in the village, but so seldom, tina
people never observed her. That made il
unpleasant, and she staid at home still
closer. .-
But on that morning, while they sat chat
ting with grandma, she felt deal of rea
discontentment for the first time in months
Clara Bosworth, her bosom friend, was
to give party that evening, and she coulc
not 60. For weeks preparations had beer
going on in their quiet family. She had
given up the money saved for new winter
cloak, that Lcttie's green silk might be re.
trimmed for the occasion, and the best dress
she had in the world was plain, garnet
colored poplin with black velvet trimmings
She had family suggested that she nigh
wear that, but the cry of dismay from hel
sisters silenccd her.
go and wear that old poplin !" criet
Lettie, from the clouds of white billowy lace
that was to adorn the green silk "You
must be crazy!''
II should think So" chimed Margaret
who was fitting lace berthe over the wais
of the delicate lilac satin. 'Do you want
Austin Bosworth to think US family o.
paupers? It is to be a grand affair, ane
Clara expects all who honor it with tbeil
presence to pay her respect enough to dress
respectfully. 1t is Austin's first appearance
after his European tour, and surely you Dc
not want him to think mcanly Of us p
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 becom
ing array, the other all delicacy, her fair
pearl loneliness enhanced by the pale purple
color of her splendid dress-came laughing
into grandma's room, little shadow dark
ened her face, and she found it very hard tt
keep back the tears
"Fine feathers make fine birds but fine
birds do not always sing the sweetest
JAMIE" said grandma, after they were gone
II know who is the true one in this family
I know my little singing bird. jamie, ane
she is dearer than dozen fine ladies' Aus
tin and Clara will come tomorrow, and hi
will tell us about his travels in foreign lands
and you will be far happier than you woule
be up at the house tonight, with dancing
and confusion"
Il suppose so, grandma" and Janet tool
her seat by the fire and went on knitting
with peaceful face.
The elder sisters came home with crum
pied plumagc, but in high spirits.
boJ I'D q hand
some, polished gentleman, and had tl1rtec
desperately with Lettie.
"Why, grandma, he almost proposed t.
her !'' laughed Margaret, who was engag
ed to Judg e Lenard's hopeful son, and
therefore, had no place for jealousy. IN orr
than one of the company predicted that
would be match
Don't count your chickens before the.
are hatched," called grandma from her pill
low. ssMr. Austin Bosworth is no fool.
can tell you!'
'.What an old croaker!"
They were entering their chamber acros
the hall, but grandmother's ears were no
dulled by age, and she clearly heard them
"Don't mind them, grandma, " whlspere,
Janet. who had waited to help them lay asld
their fnery. u
"Mind them! Do you think | shall
Janet Leeds r ........ =,
Next day Austin Bosworth came Il
was too familiar with the old house to $40
for bell-ringing, and he entered eros s
the hall directly past the parlor eoor, wher
Margaret and Lettie waited in their taste't
afternoon costumes, and walked straight o
to Grandma Leeds room.
She was there with her work, her placi
face beaming beneath the white lace 'Dofoel
ed cap. ,e,,.o,. hoe;a
A graceful, girlish figure halt knelt oesl1 \
her, wreathing with def fingers ouncn
cvergreens into frame for man1el OIL. n.
ment, and her eyes were lifted smll'ng III
the old lady's face. ,o. hof,,
He entered and closed the door, De1oi
either saw him.
"Grandma Leeds !"
"Why, bless my heart, 1t Is AuS''n
Come here my boy p a ~, j.,
And the fine gentleman came anu CAV
both hands to her in his delight. whot
"Janie, my little playmate 700 " Ia.
happy meeting Clara came down 40 ufes b,
for call, and declared she would cune e,, ~ :,