Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-07-09

OlcJeU hnaC IL WOu1Q De q match
''Don't count your chickens before
they are Matched" called grandma from
her pillow. chr. Austin Bosworth is
no fool, can tell YOU"
"What an old croaker"
They are entering their chamber
across the hall, but grandmother's ears
were not dulled by age; and she clearly
heard them
"Don't mind them grandma" wills
pered Janet, who had waited to help
them lay aside their finery.
"Mind them!" Do you think 1 shall,
Janet Leeds?'
Next day Austin Bosworth came
He was too familiar with the old house
to stop for bell ringing, and be entered,
crossing the hall directly past the parlor
where were Margaret and Lettie in
their tasteful afternoon costumes, and
walked straight on to Grandma Leed's
room.
She was there with her work, her
placid face beaming beneath the white
lace bordered cap.
A graceful girlish figure half knelt
beside her. wreathing with deft fingers
bunch of evergreens into frame for
a mantle ornament, and her eyes were
lifted smilingly into the old lady's face.
He entered and closed the door, be-
fore 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.
"Jennie, my dear playmate, too!
What happy meetingl Clara came
down dressed for call, and declared
she would come, but told her no.
knew the amount of gallantry l should
feel obliged to use, and | preferred
that my first visit should be like old
ones"
'You are right. We are better
pleased 10 have it so, are we not,
Janet?' 2
His call heightened itself two hours,
and during the time he told pleasant
stories, and chatted like the boy of BY
gone days, but not once did Margaret's
OF Lettie's name pass his lips.
When he went away he met them
coming with disappointed faces from
the parlor, where they had been waiting
for him; but he only lifted his hat and
passed out. Then grandma and Jen
ME received sound scolding, such as
only those two knew how to give, and
the shadow of discomfort again fell on
Janet's spirit.
All, that long, cherries winter y
What story Janet could tell you of
dlsappointments, of happy parties, of
which she had no share, of moonlight
rides, of JOY and merriment. She had
only that one comforter kind, patient
grandma; for now that Austin Bosworth
had come, the way was harder than be-
fore
He came and escorted Lettie to pars
ties, aud sometimes chatted with grand
ma. but nothing more. She saw moth
ing lnore-she did not catch the goods
natured smiles he gave her from the
sleigh as he road away - and Lettie nev
er told her how often he asked for her.
Alone with grandma, Janet wished
for better things, and Wondered now
why she was SO harshly dealt with. At
last even the society Of her aged COM
forter was denied her, and in her bed
the old lady gradually faded away Day
and night Janet sat beside her,with the
knowledge that she was beyond earthly
hope-waiting upon her, yielding to
the childish whim, and shutting out ev
erything youthful and beautiful from her
sight.
''Playing household angel" said Miss
Margaret, scornfully.
Working for grandma's fortune of
old shoes and worsted stockings" Let
tie eheeifully added.
s'Doing her duty by the faithful wo-
fi1an who had taken the three mother
less children into her heart and filed
the lost ones place, SO far as God per-
rhitted," her own heart said, and steadi-
ly she worked.
The first Of May brought invitations
to the last ball at the Bostworth House
and, while the other two sisters laid out
their fnery, Janet folded her tiny mis-
sive and hid it away next her heart as a
sacred bit Of paper, bearing Austn's
firm chirography upon it.
That night grandma was very i'll, and
when Margaret and Lettie futtered in
with their gay dresses, Janet met them,
and aim ost forcibly put them out of the
room.
81 beg You girls to have little re-
spect for your grandma-she is very i'll
tonight.
"Nonesensel Don't be fool, Janet
anybody would think she was dying"
81 belive she is"
The reply came in violent slam of
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