Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-10-21
Shirt Mi5grllunq,-
rmE CALICO CLOAK.

s.HaNe you seen the new scholar p
asked Marry Lark, a 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 consical looking figure you ev-
er saw. Her cloak is made out of cali
CO, and her shoes are brogans, such as
men and boys wear"
"Oh, yes, I'Ve seen her, replied Lu-
cy Brooks: 'she is the new washer-wo
mans daughter should mt have
thought Mr. Brown would hive taken
-iIer fnto -rie AcadeTny;; bur suppose
he likes the money that comes through
the suds as well as any. 1t is clearer
of course"
And tie air rang with the loud laugh
of the girls.
'sCome, let us go in and examine her, -
continued Mary, as they ascended the
steps of the school house. I'm think
ing 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 poorly though tidiiy clad. The
girls went around her laughing and
whispering with each other, while she
stood blushing and trembling in one
corner Of the room, without venturing
to raise her eyes from the floor.
When they entered school; they found
the little girl was far in advance of them
in her studies, and was placed in class
es with those two or three years her Sc
nior. This seemed, on the whole, to
make those girls who were disposed to
treat unkindly, dislike her the more;-
and she; being of retiring disposition,
through their influence had no friends
but went and returned from school lalone
''And do 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 correspond nicely with your
.eloakI'
And she caught hold of the cloak
and held it out from her, while the 9th.
,er girls joined in her loud laugh.
I.Calico cloak get the medal I guess
she will. I should like to see Mr.
Brown give it to herI" and she peeped
under Lizzie bonnet
The child struggled to release her
self. and when she was free ran home a:
fast as she could.
'eOh, mother" she said, as she enter
ed her mothers humble kitchen, ''dc
answer Uncle Williams letter, and tel
him we'll come to New York to live !
I don't like to live in Bridgeville.-
The girls call me-sCalico Cloak and
sBrogaas, and you do not know, mo.
ther, how unkindly they treat me.
''Lizzie, my DEAR" said her mother
you must expect to meet with those whc
will treat you unkiudly Oh account O
your poverty; but you must not be dis
couraged- Do right, my child, and you
will eventually come off conqueror."
Although Mrs. Lee tried to enccur
age her child, yet she knew she had t
meet with severe trials for one so young
"But, mother, they are all unkind t
me,'' replied Lizzie; "there isn't on
that loves me-"
And the child buried her face in he
hands and sobbed aloud.
In Bridgeyille Academy there were
few selfish, unprincipled girls; and tn
others joined them in teasing the littl
"Calico Cloak" as they called her, froI
thoughtlessness, or from love ofspor
But they knew not how deeply eac
word pierced the heart of the littl
stranger, and how many bitter tear
she shed In secret over their unkind
ness.
Mrs. Lee learning that the scholar
still continued their unju treatmer
towards her child, resolved to accept he
brothers invitation, although he was
poor man, and become member of HI