Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-05-26
.Tanet,s Fortune.


/ Janet's Fortune.
/" And when die shall leave nv for
tune to the one W. will use it to the bes
advantage" said Grandma Leeds, smiling
from behind her spectacles, to the young
j girls around her.
"Your fortune, grandma !? What viii
it be ]? That old basket, with its horric
yarn and needles, and the never-endine
knitting work. If SO, you need not Leave
it with me. Janet will use it to far bet
ter advantage than could.
Yes, Lettie, you are right, and In
sure don't want il either. HIM wha
a fortune, to be sure!'
EN- accept it, grandma, and prize it, i
you will only add your sweet, contenteo
disposition. 1t would be fortune which
none of us need despise."
Janet Leeds was the youngest of the
family and the plainest. She had sweet
fresh face and tender eyes bat these
paled into ugliness before Lettie's black
orbs and shining curls and the blonde
loneliness of belle Margaret so she set.
tied back like modest violet in the chin
ney corner, and waited on Grandma, or
assisted the maid in the homework.
Once in while she ventured out to a
party in the village, but SO seldom, that
people never observed her. That made il
unpleasant, and she staid at home still
closer.
But that morning. wi'''o they sat chat.
ting with grandma, she felt deal of 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 preparations
had been going on in their quiet family,
she had given up the money saved for a
new winter cloak, that Letties 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.
She had family suggested that she
might wear that, but the cry OF dismay
from her sisters silenced her.
Go and wear that old poplin !" cried
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,
VINO was fitting lace berthe over the
delicate satin. "Do you want Austin
Bosworth to think us family of paupers
1t is to be grand affair, and Clara ex-
poets all who honor it with their presence
to pay her respect enough to dress re-
spectfully 1t is Austin's first appearance
after his European tour, and surely you
do not want him to think p'eanly of us ?"
The tears came up, but Jauet was
brave, and no one saw them.
That night, when the two girls-the
one il her dark beauty and wonderful
becoming array, the other all delieaey,
her fair, pearl loneliness enhanced by the
pale purple color of her splendid dress
came laughing into grandma's room, a
little shadow darkened her face, and she
found it very hard to keep back the tears.
''Fine feathers make fine birds, but fine
JAMIE" said grandma, after they were
gone. 81 know who is the true one in
this family. L know my little singing
bird, jamie, and she is dearer than q
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 up at
the house tonight, amid dancing and
confusion"
II suppose so, grandma" and Janet
took her seat by the fire and went on
knitting, with peaceful face.
The eldest sister came home with
rumpled plumage, but in high spirits.
Austin Bosworth had returned, a hand
some, polished gentleman, and he had
fiirted desperately with Lettie.
"Why, grandma, he almost proposed to
her !" laughed Margaret, who was en-
gagged to Judge Lenard's hopeful son,
and, therefore, had no place for jealousy.
"More than one of the company predicted
that it would be a match"
"Don't count your chickens before they
are hatched," called grandma from her
pillow. "Austin Bosworth is no fool,
can tell you ~
'What an old croakerl"
They were entering their chamber
across the hall, but grandma'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 fnery.
'Mind them ?" 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,
where Margaret and Lettie waited in
their tasteful afternoon costumes, and
walked straight on to Grandma Leeds
room.
She was there with her work, her
placid face beneath the lace-bordered cap.
A graceful, girlish figure half knelt be-
side her, wreathing with deft fingers a
bunch of evergreens into frame for a
mantle ornament, and her eyes were lifted
smilingly to the old lady's face.
He entered and closed the door, before
either saw him.
"Grandma Leeds !"
"Why, bless my heart, it is Austin
Come here, my boy !"
And the fine gentleman came and gave
both hands to her, in his delight.
Janie, my little playmate, too! What
a happy meeting Clara came down,
dressed for a call, and declared she would
come, but told her no | knew the amount
of gallantry should 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 it so, are we not, Janet ?"
His call heightened itself into two
hours, and during the time he told pleas
ant stories and chatted like the boy of by
gone days, but not once did Margaret or
Lettie' name pass his lips.
When he went away he met them com
ing with disappointed faces from the par
Tor, where they had been waiting for him ;
but he only lifted his hat and passed out.
Then grandma and Janet received a sound
seolding, such as only those two knew
how to give, and the shadow of discon-
tent again fell on Janet's spirit.
All that long cherries winter What
a story Janet could tell you of disappoint-
ments, of happy parties of which she had
no share, of moonlight rides, of Joy and
merriment She had only that one com
forter, kind, patient grandma for now
that Austin Bosworth had come, the way
was harder than before.
He came and escorted Lettie to parties,
and sometimes chatted with grandma, but
nothing more. She saw nothing more
she Gid not catch the good-natured smiles
he gave her from the sleigh as he rode
| II IL