Amador weekly ledger., 1858-05-29
THE CALICO CLOAK.

Have you seen the new scholar ?" asked
Mary Lark, girl of twelve or fourteen
years, as she ran to meet a group of school
mates who were coming towards the school
house she cuts the most comical looking
figure you ever saw. Her cloak is made out
of calico, and her shoes are brogans, such as
men and boys wear"
Oh, yes, I've seen her." replied Lucy
Brooks she is the new washer-w oman's
daughter ! shouldn't have thought Mr.
Brown would have taken her into the acade
my but | suppose he likes the money that
comes through suds as well as any 1t is
cleaner of course"
And the air rang with the loud laugh of
the girls.
"Come let us 60 in and examine her." CON
tinued Mary, as they ascended the steps of
the school-honse l am thinking she will
make some fun for u.s."
The girls went into the dressing room,
where they found the new scholar. She was
mild intelligent looking child, but very poor
ly though .idily clad The girls went
around her, whispering and laughing with
each other while she stood trembling and
blushing in one corner Of the room, without
yenturing to raise her eyes from the floor.
When they entered the school they found
the little girl was far in advance Of those of
her age, in her studies. and was placed in
classes with those two or three years her
senior. This seemed on the whole, to make
those girls who were disposed to treat her
unkindly dislike her the more; and she, being
of a retiring disposition, through their innu-
ence had no friends but went and returned
from school alone.
And so you really think" said Mary
Lark, as she went up to the little girl few
weeks after she entered school, that you
are going to get the medal 1t will cores
pond nicely with your cloak"
And she caught hold of the cape, and held
il out from her. while the girls around joined
in her loud laugh.
Calico cloak gets the medal ! guess
she will ! shorld like to see Mr. Brown
giving it to her |" said another girl as she
caught hold Of her arm, and peeped under
the childs bonnet
The little girl struggled to release herself,
and, when she was free, ran home as fast as
she could 60
"Oh, mother" she said, as she entered her
mothers humble kitchen, " do answer uncle
Williams letter, and tell him we will come to
New York to live l don't like to live in
Bridgevile The girls call me Calico Cloak,
and 'Brogans.' and you don't know mother,
how unkindly they treat me"
Lizzie, my DEAR" said her mother, you
must expect to meet with some who will
treat you unkindly on account Of your poV
erty but you must not be discouraged. Dc
right, my child and you will eventually come
of conquerer.
Although Mrs. Lee tried to encourage hel
child, yet she knew that she had to meet
with severe trials for one so young.
But, mother, they are all unkind to me,
replied Lizzie; there isn't one who loves me.
And the child buried her face 10 her hands
and sobbed aloud.
In Bridgeville Academy there were few
selfish, unprincipled girls and the Others
Joined them in teasing the little Callc'
Cloak as they called her, from thoughless
ness, and from a love of sport But the.
knew not how deeply each sportive wore
pierced the heart Of the little stranger, an'