The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-08
Grandmamma's Fortune.

New York Graphic,
Three love, say"
The children youths and maidens gathered
close about the roaring fire, for the snow had
grown very deep without, and the frivolous old
wind shrieked with delight as it lifted the soft
white folds and piled them in drifts.
Law! Miss JESSIE" calculated little black Joe,
as he knelt on the rug shelfing popcorn, &hope
indie if you Amt ming the corn"
The young girl laughed merriiy at her small
servant. while she answered.
well, Joe, you are SAFE for am burning 1t
shockingly. Suppose you take the pepper while
have nay fortune told; it was for that / was
getting these seeds out when the fire took ad-
vantage of my corn"
''Yes'm," said Joe. apropos of nothing in par.
ticular, as he obeyed and tried to watch his task
with one eye and the fortune with the other.
Various games were Ia progress in the room, for
hearts glad. But Miss Bessie had an absorbed
air, as with quaint gravity she turned to her
handsome cousin TO name her apple seeds. and
began counting, Zone love, two love, three
love, say"
Grandmamma, in her chimney corner, had
been watching the games, and now caught the
"Ore love, etc. Dropping her knitting she
rested her head against the tall back Of her cozy
armchair and listened while the words took q
new meaning as they stepped across the thrcs-
1 hold of her brain. She made sweet picture in
the freight which albeit was sad too, she seemed
SO near the shadowy borderland of another world.
| There was sublime peace on the dear, wrinkled
face. and the soft hair was whitened with the
dust of life" gathered through many heart
breaking sorrows and wistful struggles. Grand
mammals thoughts were swiftly traversing the
long lapse of years, and were down again at the
springtime OF life, reading once more from the
| great book of experience And she wondered
who wrote the wise little legend that pretty Bes
sic was repeating. Some old dame like myself, !"
she unused, and smiled when she saw how mean
ingless the words were. to young folks. "Ah,
yes, one love" Her thoughts fingered tender
| ly about the tiny, curly haired iaddie who
trudged behind her, and carried her books to
school. At the first dawn of knowledge we be-
gin coming the sad old lesson set for Eve to
learn in Paradise, and early refuse to believe
that it takes years Of experience and sorrow to
| reveal the true, deep meaning to u.s. She turned
| the sunny leaf of memory and ''Two love" she
murmured as the picture rose before her of the
frank, manly young fellow, with his laughter
loving blue eyes. Half sadly, half amused, she
remembe red how she had outgrown him in her
precocious way, ard had come to look down upon
him as too young" Three I love, say"
grandmamma repeated, forced to acknowledge
THAT this was a preneditated Irritation. She saw
a courteous man bending to do her homage in a
spirit of idle jest,s she remembered how her
bosom swelled with injured pride when she dis
covered that in his estimation she was only
child, bagatelle, a toy Her childish faith
shivered in the first cold blast of the realty all
is not gold that gitters,' and she determined to
be revenged A merry smile lurked about the
corners of her mouth at the thought of how
earnest her lover. had. grown and he remained
! faithful for years. An granamamma sighed at
her youthful frivolity-she had learned the So
/ cret of her power On she turned the record of
her years, and tears were in the sweet voice
| that softly whispered. -Four love with all my
heart" She pondered long over this picture.
Here the young girl, who had suddenly forgot
ten her bitter worldly knowledge, stood among
the glowing. blushing roses, breathing the de-
leious sunshine, looking perfect fairy of hap
| piuess, and dreamilv building castles in air."
when the fatal news of her lovers death crushed
the JOY from her heart. Aye, and years passed
ere she recovered
Five cast away" Yes. Still the sobbing
of her bereaved heart would not be stilled. She
could not listen to another "Six he loves"
out pain.
At last the loving soul reached out for sympa-
thy and comfort. Seven, she loves" He
seemed brave true and good--a gallant lover,
forsooth. Weeks, months sped on, and then
lone evening he came to say goodbye" The
morrow was his wedding day. Would not his
dear friend wish him God speed?" The proud,
sensitive moth quivered moment, then to all
outward seeming it was OVER she was his friend.
She loved on usual but anon in the inner
life it took many years to fill up the grave Of
that experience to thelevel of her customary Sc
renity. In the full bloosa of womanhood, with
that richness of knowledge and experience with
which she vainly hoped to build a bulwark
of safety about her heart came. Eight, they
both love-" She fought bravely against convic-
| ton. mine, he comes" Certainly; why should
he not?" she said.
Ten, he tarries." Cynical reflections Of world
| ly wisdom kept her cold and unresponsive.
eleven. he courts" Grandmarnma's beauti-
full eyes grew brighter even now at the thought
of the new and holy happiness that had come to
her. Truly this was love- that of a matured
heart and ripened intellect The glory of it
shone even now upon her, though it was long
siHce Twelve, he married" and grandpapa had
| gone before and waited for her on the shore Of
| the blessed where God is love-
Stretching Things.
Christian Neighbor.
| 'Tm most dead! It is as hot as fire, and I've