Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-10-21

Those who were at school with her had left,
to enter upon the business of life.
Twelve years after Mrs. Lee and bel
daughter left town, Mr.. Maynard a young
clergyman, came to Bridgeville, and was
settled as the pastor of the village church
1t was reported at the sewing circle, the
week following his ordination, that it was
expected that he would bring his bride into
town in few weeks. There was great Gu
riosity to see her, and especially after it was
reported she was atalented young authoress
A few weeks after, Mr.. Maynard gratif-
ed their curiosity. by walking into church
with his young wife leaning on his ARM
She was lady of great intellectual beauty,
and everybody Gas they always are at 6rst)
was deeply interested in the young minister
and his wife.
The next week, the ladies focked to see
her, and she promised to meet them at the
next gathering of the sewing circle.
The day arrived, and, although it was
quite stormy, Mrs. Deacon Browns parlor
was filled with smiling faces. The dea-
cons carriage was sent to the parsonage af-
ter Mrs. Maynard, and in due time it ar
rived, bringing the lady with it. The shak-
| ing of hands that followed her arrival can
only be imagined by those who have been
present on such an occasion.
"How are you pleased with our village p
asksd Mrs. Briston, after the opening exer-
cises were over, as she took a seat beside
Mrs. Maynard.
81 like its appearance very much, it GER
tainly has improved wonderfully within the
last twelve years."
"Were you ever in Bridgeville before ~
asked another lady, as she looked somewhat
surprised.
Il was here few months, when child, :"
replied Mrs. Maynard.
Their curiosity was excited.
''Have you friends here ?" asked third,
after moments silence.
Il have not. Iresided with my mother,
the widow Lee We lived in little cot
tage which stool upon the spot now occupi-
ed by large store, on the corner of Pine
street."
''The widow Lee?' repeated Mrs. Bris-
ton, Il we'll remember the cottage, but [
do not recOllect the name.
Il think attended school with you at
the academy" replied Mrs. Maynard, 'syou
we're Miss Mary Lark, were you not?"
"That was my name," replied the lady,
as smile passed over her features at being
recognized; "but am really quite asham-
ed that my memory has proved so recreant." :"
Il was known in the academy as the lit
tie Calico Cloak Perhaps you can re-
member me by that name"
and deep blush overspread her features,
which in few moments after was seen deep
ening upon faces of others present.
There was silence for some minutes !;
when Mrs. Maynard looked up, she found
that she had caused considerable disturbance
among the ladies of her own age, by max
ing herself known.
''Oh! I remember very we'll when the lit
tie Calico Cloak went to the academy"
Il had no intention whatever, ladies'"
replied Mrs. Maynard, 'to reprove any one
present by making myself known ; but as it
may seem to some that such was my inten-
ton, I will add few words. Most of the
younger ladies present will remember the
little Calico Cloak but no one but the
wearer knows how much each unkind word
pierced the little heart that beat beneath it.
And as I again hear the old academy bell
ring, it brings back fresh to my mind the
sorrows of childhood. But let no lady mis-
take me, by supposing cherish an unkind
feeling towards any one. [ know that
whatever the past may have been, you are
now my friends. But ladies let me add, if
you have children, learn them lesson from
my experience, and teach them to treat
kindly the poor and despised. A calico
cloak may cover heart as warm with affec-
ton and as sensitive to sorrow as one that
beats beneath velvet covering. Whenever
you meet child that shows a disposition to
despise the poor, tell it the story of the
calico cloak ; it will carry its own moral
with it,"
"That is the shortest, but the best SER
mon [ ever heard" said an old lady, as she
put her handkerchief under her glasses,
land [ do not believe its moral effect will
be lost upon any of u.s."
The old lady was right. The story went
from one to another, until it found its way
into the old academy. At that very time,
little boy was attending school there,
whose mother was struggling with her nee
die to give him an education. The boys
often made sport of his patched knees and
elbows, and he would run sobbing home to
his mother: But when the story of the
"calico cloak" reached the scholars, the lit
tie boy (for he was naturally noble heart
ed child) became very popular in school !;
and the children from that time were very
kind to ''little Patchey," as he had always
been called.
When Mrs. Maynard heard the story Of