Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-09-25
Mr.. osMoND's FORTUNE.
by ANNA SHIELDS.

Inc llNeIpOol steamer WAS just III. WIN
only two out of the crowd coming ashore,
have we to do and these two are shaking
hands across the window of II hack door.
The lady, II fair, oxquisitey pretty blonde,
is inside, with an elderly lady beside her;
the gentleman tall, mustached, stylish look
ing man, stands on the pavement, receiving
the assurance that he will be more than well
como when he calls mt the address written
upon tiny card in his hand, under the name
of Mrs. blanche Alton.
Then the hack drives off, and the gentle
man, yawning, gets into an omnihIs and is
driven to n hotel lie has been abroad for
three years, and he looks with interest ut
the familiar streets until he reaches his des-
tination, and is shown to his room. Then
his thoughts take another turn.
Let me see. First | must call upon the
lawyer, to be sure the papers have reached
him all right, ard then will go over to Har-
lem. How pleased Nettic will be when
she hears of my good fortune! Dear little
Nettie How pretty she promised to be
when left. hope she will like Blanche,
thought never thought of it before, but
Miss Alton is scarcely likely to admit II little
dress maker on her visiting list.
WASN'T it dress making Ncttic wrote me
she was learning after her father died? Poor
little girl | was quite sure that Parsons
had saved something, until | received that
letter. Well, well, couldn't send anything
but sympathy then, when | could scarcely
make my salary meet my expenses; but
now they shall find have II memory for the
4 II. t..a.lt,
and Parsons held out II helping hand.
81 am sure Nettie must love Blanche, she
is so innocent and childlike. | never met
any one so perfectly unworldly rs Blanche
Alton, She does not seem to have an idea
of money or position. Just to be happy, to
have music, flowers and books, is her idea
of life. The perfect simplicity of her dress
proves her want of vanity"
Some hours later, Lewis Osmond, rs the
tall gentleman registered his name ut the
hotel, entered a neat sitting room in small
house mt Harlem, where II delicate looking
middle-aged woman, in widows dress, sal
stitching busily. With glad smile, she
dropped her work to welcome him.
After cordial greeting, the young man
looked around the room inquirngly.
'You are looking for Nettie?' said Mrs
Parsons. 'She has gone to Mrs. Atoms
Miss Blanche came home from Europe thi,
morning, and sent for Nettie to do some
work for her."
"Is she good customor?' asked the visit
or, rs carelessy rs he could.
"Well-yes," said Mrs. Parsons hesitatng
little. Il don't know though" she added
''why should not tell you, us you are on
OF the family, are you not?"
please consider me MS your boy rs | WA
before went away"
81 will; and you will come back to you
old room, till you get another situation, will
you not? | suppose you have nothing to d.
since Mr.. Osmond died?"
Nothing"
Come here, then. Living ut hotel il
expensive, and you know, Walter, you nee,
not worry about the board here"
''When you and Nettie are sewing fol
bread?" he said, his voice quivering.
1--WE make living; and that brings M,
back to Mrs. Alton. You asked me if sh'
was good customer. If she was promp
to pay, she would be- but they make us wal
Miss Blanche ordered very expensive out
fit when she went to Europe, with party o
friends, six months ago, and it has not beel
paid for yet"
"Does she dress very Handsomely"
Every extensively. She is small and faiI
and she does not have very deliberately mad
dresses: rs her figure is so perfect, she ca
wear simply made waists but the trimmin
we buy, and shG has the most expensive
Some Of her white dresses have the fines
thread lace on them and her travellin
dress, of Quakor-like cut and make, la
trimmings made for it that were very dear.
"And have you not been paid for all thisP
"Ony little. Tho worst of it is, we ow
most of it ourselves"
IL think that Ncttie had better be II littl
careful about this new order-l hear he
coming. Don't tell that / am here for
minute. want to surprise her."
In moment he had hid in an adjoinin
room, just rs Nettio Parsons came in, he
brown eyes full of pleasure, her cheeks glow
ing, and her step light, MS if she was hurrie
by some pleasant news
I"Mother," she said, in n clear, swe
voice, that had n ring of truth and cheerful
ness in it, 81 have good news"
$50 have i"
''IIear mine first. Miss Alton has orderC
four new dresses, and We are to send in Il
whole bill rs soon as sho is married. She
going to marry lch-very rich mana NJ
Osmond, who came over in the steamer wi
her."
"Mr. Osmond? Why, the gentleman Wa
ter went with was named Osmond."
"But he was old, and an invalid; beside
he is dead, mother. This is II young ma
Miss Alton said, and he is desperately
love with her, and sure to propose. lie
very rich, she told me dozen times, so Of
bill will DO sure, NEITHER" added the YOU
girl earnestly. "Ithink should die of shan
if could talk of any man AS Miss Al ton
of Mr., Osmond. OF course they will be e
gagged, but she does not seem TO consid
him anything but II human money chest"
"You have not asked me my news"
"What is it,"
"Walter Irving is coming home"
"Walter coming home? That is go
news. Poor follow | suppose Mr.. {
mond's death throws him out Of employing
again. lie must come here, mother"