The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1870-07-30
JANET'S FoRTUNE.

II 10 Iu6 OcSts duVautaSC, FoiN
Grandma Leeds. smiling from be-
hind her spectacles to the young
girls around her.
sYour for une, grandma? What
will it be fnat 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 ad
vatage than could
Yes, Lettie you are right, and
I'm sure I don't want it either =
HIN what fortuae to be sure !
'I'll accept it. grandma. and
prize it. if you will only aid your
sweet, contented disposition. 1t
would be fortune which none of
us need despise
janet Leeds was the youngest of
the family. and the plainest. She
had swecs, fresh face, and tender
eyes; but these paled into ugiincse
before Lettie black orbs and shi
ming curls, and the blonde loveli-
ness OF the belle Margret. So she
settled back like a modest violet
! in the chimney corner. and waited
on her grandma, or assisted the
maid in the housework.
Once ia while she ventured
out to party in the village. but
so seldom that people never OBJ
! served her That made it nnpleas-
ant, and she staid at home still
closer
But that morning, while they sat
chatting with grandma, she felt
deal OF discontentment, for the
first time in months.
Clara Bosworth, her bosom
friend, was to give a patty that
evening. and she could not go
For weeks preparations had been
going on in their quiet family
She had given up the money saw
| ed for a new winter cloak that Let.
| ties green silk might be re-trim
med for the occasion, and the best
| dress she had in the world was
colored popiin with velvet trim
| mings.
| She had family suggested that
she might wear that, hut the dis.
| may of her sisters sileneed her.
Go and wear that old poplin'
cried Lettie, from the white bill
lowy lace that was TO adorn the
green silk.
You must be crazy =
Il should think so, chimed
Margret, who was fitting lace
berthe over the waist OF dclicate
lilac satin. DO you want Austine
Bosworth to think us family of
paupers 1t is to be grand af-
fair and Clara expects all who hon
or it will try to pay her respect
enough to drees5 respectfully. 1t
is Austin first appearance after
his European tour, and sure you
do not want him to think meanly of
us ?''
The t ars come up, but Janet
was brave, and no one saw them.
That nj aht wien the two girls
the one in her dirk beauty and
wonderfully becoming array; the
other all delicacy, her fair. pear!
loveIiness enhanced by the color
of her splendid dress came laugh
ing into grandma's room, q little
shadow darkened her face, and she
found it hard to keep back the
tears.
Fine feathers make fne birds,
but fine birds do not always sing
the sweetest, JAMIE, said grandma,
after they were gone. i know nv
little singing, bird, JAMIE said
grandma, after they were gone. Il
know my little singing bird, JAM
e, and sue is dearer than dozen
fine ladies. Austin and Clara will
come tomorrow, and he will tell
about his travels III foreign lands.
and you will be far happier than
YOU wonld be up a. the house to-
night, with dancing and confu
sion'
I suppose go, grandma and
Janet to ok her scat by the fire and
went on knitting with a peaceful
face
The elder sisters came home
with rumpled plumage, but in
high spirits
Austin Bosworth had returned,
a h andsome. polished gentleman,
and had flirted desperately with
Lettie.
why, grandma, he almost pro-
posed to her : laughed Margret,
who was engaged to Judge Leon
ards hopeful son, and therefore
hal no place for jealousy. More
than one of the company predict
ed that it would be match
'Don't count your chickens be-
fore they are hatched.' called
grandma from her pillow. Aus
tin Bosworth is no fool | can tell
you "
What an old croaker =
They were entering their cham
Der across the hall, but grand
mothers ears were no. dulled by
old age, and she clearly heard
them.
Don't mind them, grandma,
whispered Janet, who had waited
to help them lay aside their finery.
Mind them !! Do you think l
shall, Janet Leeds /?
Next day Austin Boswotth came
He was too familiar with the old
house to stop for bell-ringing. and
he entered, crossing the hall direct
ly past the parlor door. where NJ r
garei and Let,ie waited in their
tasteful afternoon costumes, and
walked straight on to Grandma
oodas raoyn