The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-12-26
Ianet's Fortune-Or a Grandmother's
Wisdom.

Janet EOrtune-OT a dTduetll1otAC1 .
Wisdom.
"And when | die I shall leave my for
tune to the one who will use it the best
advantage, said Grandma Leeds, sml-
ling from behind her spectacles to the
young girls around her.
Your fortune, Grandma? What
will it be? That 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
far better advantage than | could.
Yes, Lettie, you are right; and N
sure | don't want it, either. HIM
what fortune, to be sure !
I'm accept il, grandma, and prize 1T,
if you will only add your sweet, content
ed disposition. 1t would be a fortune
which none of Us need dispise," said
Janet.
Janet Leeds vas the youngest of the
family, and the plainest. She had
sweet, fresh face, and tender eyes; but
these paled into ughness before Lettiee
black orbs and shining curls, and the
blonde loneliness of the belle Margaret.
So she settled back like modest violet
In the chimney corner, and waited on
her grandma, OF assisted the maid IN the
houseWork.
Once in while she ventured out to 8
party in the village, but so seldom thai
people never observed her. That made
it unpleasant, and she staid at home still
closer.
But that morning, while they sal
chatting with grandma, she felt dea
real discomfort, for the first time IN a
month.
Clara Bosworth, her bosom friend was
to give party that evening, and she
could not go. For weeks preparations
had been gong on in their quiet family.
She had given up the money saved for a
silk might be retrimmed for the occa-
sion, and the best dress she had in the
world was a plain garnet colored poplin
with black velvet trimmings.
She had family suggested that she
might wear that, but the oismay of her
sisters silenced her.
$50 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 |"
Il should think So" chimed Marga-
ret, who was fitting lace berthe over
the waist of delicate lical satin. do
you want Austin Bosworth to think us a
family Of paupers? 1t is to be grand
affair, and Clara expects all who honor
it will try to pay her respect enough to
dress respectfully. 1t is Austin's first
appearance after his European tour, and
surely you do not want him to think
mean of us ~
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
becoming array; the other all delicacy,
her fair, pearl loneliness enhanced by
the pale purple color of her dress-came
laughing into grandma's room, "a little
shadow darkened her face, and she
found it hard to keep back the tears.
Fine feathers make fine BIRDS" but
fine birds do not always sing the sweet
est, JAMIE said grandma after they
were gone. Il know who is the true
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 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 dam
cling aud confusion.
Il suppose so, Grandma" and Janet
took her seat by the fire, and went on
knitting, with 3 peaceful face.
The elder sisters came home with rum
pied plumage, but in high spirits.
Austin Bosworth had returned, a
handsome, polished gentleman, and had
fiirted desperately with Lettie.
why, grandma, he almost proposed
to her ~ laughed Margaret, who was
engaged to Judge Leonard's hopeful
son, and therefore had no place for jeal-
ousy. More than one the company
predicted that it would really be
match
Don't count your chickens before
they are hatehed,'' called out grandma
from her pillow. ''Austin Bosworth is
no fool l can tell you that ~
''What an old croaker -
They were entering their chamber
across the hall, but grandmother ears
were not dulled by old age, ana she
clearly heard them.
Don mind them, Grandma" yhis-
pered Jane, who had waited to help
them lay aside their fnery.
Mind them Do you think I shall,
Janet Leeds ?'
Next day Austin Boswortb came. He
was too familiar with the old house to
stop for bell ringing; he entered, cross
ing the hall directly across the parlor
door, where Margaret and Lettie waited
ins their tasteful afternoon costumes,
and walked straight on 10 Grandma
Iced S room.
She was there with her work,-her
placid face beacing beneath the white
lace bordered cap.
A graceful. girlish figure haif knelt be-
fore her, wreathing with deft fingers
bunch of evergreens into a frame for
mantle ornament, and her eyes were
lifted smiling into the old lady's face.
lie 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 i
What happy meeting Clara came
down dressed for a call. and declared she
would come too. 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, Ja-
net ?"
His call heightened itself into two
hours, and during the time be tod her