The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1870-12-14
Janet'S Fortune.

aduantagc,' said Grandma Lcods,
smiling from behind her spectaclcs to
the young girls around her.
sYour fortune, grandma? What
will it be 7 That old basket, with its
horrid yarn and needles aud the
never ending work? If SO, you need
not leave it with me. Janet will use it
to better advantage than could
YES, L"ttie, you are right, ami
don't want it either. Hem ! what a
fortune to be sure =
I'll accept it, grandma, and prize
it, if you will only add your sweet,
contented disposition. It would be
fortune which none Of us need dcs-
pise'
Janet Leeds was the youngest Of
the family, and tho plaincst. She
had sweet, fresh face, and tcuder
eyes but these palcl into uglincss
before Lettie's black orbs and shining
curls, and the blonde lovolncss of
belle Margaret : so she settled back
: like modest violet in the chimney
. corner, and waited on grandma, or
assisted the maid in the house
work.
Once in while she venturcd out
to party in the village, but 40 sell
dom that people never observed her,
which made it unpleasant, aud she
stayed at home still closer.
But on the morning, while they
sat chattering with grandma, she felt
q real discomfort for the first time in
months.
Clara Bosworth, her bosom friend
was to give party that evening, and
she could not 60. For weeks prepa
rations had been going on in their
little family. She had given up the
money, saved for new winter cloak,
that Lettic's green silk might be re-
trimmed for the OCCASION, and the
best dress she had in the world was
plain garnetcolored poplip, with
black velvet trim mings.
She had family suggested that she
might wear that, but the cry Of dis
may from her sisters silenced her.
Go and wear that old poplin,' cried
Lettie, from the clouds of white bill.
lowy lace that was to adorn the green
silk, 'you must be crazy
Il should think so,' chimed Marga-
ret, who was fitting lace berthn;ovcr
this waist of the delicate lilac satin.
EDo you want Austin B,sworth to
think us as family of paupers. 1t is
to be grand affair, and Clara expects
all who honor it with their presence
to pay hor respects enough to dress
respectfully. It's Aus,in's first ap-
pearance after his European tour, and
surely you do not want him to think
meanly of u.s.
The tears came up, but Janet was
brave and no one saw them.
That night when the two girls-the
one in dark beauty and wonderfully
becoming array, the other all deiicacy
her fair, pearl lovelincss enhanced by
the pale purple color of her splendid
dress-came laughing in grandma's
room, little shadow darkcncd her
face, and she found it very hard to
keep back the tears.
sFine feathers make fine birds, but
fine birds do not sing the sweetest,
JAMIE said grandma, after they were
gone. i know who is tho truo 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 US all
about his travels in foreign lands and
you will be far happier than you
would be up to the house tonight amid
tho dancing and coufussion.'
q suppose so, grandama,' and Janet
took her scat by the fire and went on
knitting with peaceful face.
Tho eldest sister came home with
rumplod plumagc, hut in high spirits.
Austin Bosworth had returned, a
handsome, polished gentleman. and
had hirted desperately with Lettic.
sWhy, grandma, he almost proposed
to her r laughed Margaret who was
engaged to Judge Leonard's hopeful
son, and therefore. had no jealousy.
'Moe than one Of tho company pre-.
dicted that it would be q match
Don't count your chickens before
they arc hatchcd,' called grandma
from her pillow. Austin Bosworth
is no fool, / can tell you.'
tWhat mold croakcr =
They were entering their chamber
across tho hall, but grandma's cars
wero not dullcd by her ago, and sho
clearly heard.
Don't mind them, grandma whis
pered Janet who had waited to help
thom lay aside their incry.
mind them Do you think I shall,
Janet Lcods p
Next day Austin Bosworth came.
He was too familiar with the old house
tostop for bell-ringing, and ho enter.