Wilmington journal., 1871-07-07
JANET'S FORTUNE.

tune 10 the one who will use it to the bes
advantage" " said Grandma Leeds, smilins
} from behind her epectacles to the youpC
girls around hor.
''Your fortune, grandma What will il
| be That old basket with its horrid warn
and needles, and the never ending knit
ting work If so, you need not leave il
with me. Janet will use it to far better
advantage than I could.
Yes, hetue, you are right; and 1 am
sure don't want it either. HIM, what @
fortune, to be sure
III accept it, grandma, and prize it, il
you will only add your sweet contented
disposition. It would be O fortune which
none of us would, despisc.
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 loveliness
of belle Margaret. So she settled back
! like modest violet in the chimney corner
and waited on grandma or assisted the
maid in the housework.
! Once in while she Ventured out to a
j party In the village, but SO seldom that
people never observed her. That made it
unpleasant, and she staid at homo still
closer.
But on that morning, while they sat
chatting with grandma, she felt a deal of
real dlscontentment for The first time in
months.
Clara Bosworth, her bosom friend, was
to give party that evening, and she
could not go. For weeks preparations had
been going On in their quiet family. She
had given up the money saved for O new
winter cloak, that Lettie's green silk migdt
be retrimmed for the occasion, and the
best dress she bad in the world was a
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 the old poplin - cried
Le.tie, from the clouds of white bilowy
lace that was to adorn the green silk.
"YOu must be crazy I"
81 should think so," chimed Margaret,
who was fitting lace berthe over the waist
of the delicate lilac satin. ''Do you want
Austin Bosworth to think US family Of
panpers 1t is to be a grand affair and
Clara expects all who honor it with their
presence to pay her respect enough TO
dress respectfully. 1t is Austin's first ap-
pearance after the European tour, and
surely you do not want him to think
neanly of Us ?"
The tears came up, but Janet was brave,
and no one saw them.
The night, when the two girls-the one
in her dark beauty and wonderfully By
coming array, the other all delicacy, her
fair, pearl loveliness enhanced by the pale
purple color of her splendid dress-came
laug Ching into grandmas room, a little
shadow darkened her face, and she found
1t very hard to 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. 81 know who is the trne one in
this family. I know my little singing
bird, jamie, and she is dearer than a dozen
fine ladies. Austin and Clara will come
to-Dorrow. 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 to night, with dancing and confus-
ion"
"I suppose 90, grandma" and Janet
took her seat by the fire and went on knit
ting with q peaceful face.
The elder sisters came home with rum
pied plumage, bat in high spirits.
Austin Bosworth had returned, a hand |
some polished gentleman, and had firted |
with Lettie.
"Why. grandma, he almost proposed to |
her J" laughed Margaret, who was engaged |
10 Judge Lenard's hopeful son, and there
fore had no place for jealousy. "More
than one of the company predicted that it
would be match. "
''Don't count your chickens before they
are hatched," called grandma from her
pillow. "Mr. Austin Bosworth is no fool,
can tell you!
"What an old croaker -
They were entering their chamber across
he hail. but graudmother's ears were not
1ulled by age, and she clearly heard them.
Don't mind them, grandma" whis
oered Janet, who had wanted to help them
ay aside their fnery.
''Mind them ! Do you think / shall,
Janet Leeds ?''
Next day Austin Bosworth came. He
vas too familiar with the old house to
top for bell-ringing. and ho entered,
rossing the hall directly past the parlor
loor, where Margaret and Lettie waited
n their tasteful afternoon costum es, and
Va!ked straight On TO Grandma Leeds
DOM.
She was there with her work. her placid
ace beaming beneath the white lace-bor-
cred cap.
A graceful, girlish figure half knels be-
ide her, wreathing with deft fingers
lunch of eVergreens into frame for
nantel ornament, and Der eyes were lifted
milling into the old lady's face.
He entered and closed the door, before
ither saw him.
Grandma Leeds =
"Why, bless my heart, it is Austin i
;ome here my boy !"
And the fine gentleman came and gave
10Th hands to her in his delight.
'Janie, my little playmate, too What
happy meeting! Clara came down, dress
d for call, and declared she would come,
,ut told her no I knew the amount of
.allantry should feel obliged to use, and
preferred that my first visit should be
Ike the old ones.'
''You are right We are better pleased
0 have it SO. are we not, Janet p
His call lengthoued itself INTO two hours,
nd during tee time be told the pleasant
tories ana chatted like the boy of by-gone
Lays, bat not once did Margaret's or Let
les name pass his lips.
When he went away he met them COM
ng with disappointed faces from the par
Or, where they had been waiting for him;
'ut he only lifted his hat and passed out.
Then grandma and Janet received sound
colding, such as only these two knew
low to give, and the shadows of discon-
ent again fell on Janet's spirit.
Ah, that long cheerless winter What
story Janet could tell you of disap-