Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1858-10-12

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"How are you pleased with our vii.
lage ?' asked q Mrs. Britton. after The
opening exercises were over, as she tool
4 seat beside Mrs Ma, nard
/ like its appearance very much il
certainly mas improved wonderfully with
ID the last twelve years. \
We're you ever in Bridgevii1e be,
fore :? !" asked another lady, as those
around looked somewhat surprised.
81 was here few months when 4
child" replied Mrs. Maynard.
Il Their curiosity was excited.
e. Have you friends here z asked an.
other, after a moments silence.
8 4 have not. resided with my
mother, the widow Lee. We lived in 1
little cottage, which stood upon the spol
now occupied byla large store. on the
corner of Pine street. -. .5.
I The widow Lee repeated Mrs,
Britton /; " well remember The cottage
but do not recollect the name"
Il think ! attended school with Won al
the Academy replied Mrs. Maynard ;
e you were Miss Mary Lark. were you
not - g+lsI
e That was my name, replied the lady,
as a smile passed over her features. a,
being recognized 3''but | am really quite
ashamed that my memory has proved Sc
recreant." I'll.
Z I was known in the Academy as the
I Calico Cloak Perhaps youecan re.
member me by that name IT.
The smile faded from Mrs. Britton's
face and a deep blush oyerspread hei
features, which in a faw moments was
seendeepening the faces Of others present
Tisere was silence for some minutes
when Mrs. Maynard Looked up she fonnd
she Mad caused considerable disturbance
among the ladies' of her own age, .hJ
making herself known. 5 '#
4 Oil remember very well wher
the little Calico Coax / went To the Acad
envy" said an old lady. as she IookeS
over Der glasses; and / think, if mi
memory serves me right, some Of tht
ladies present will owe Mrs. Maynard al
apology"
n 81 had nointention. whatever, ladies'
replied Mrs. Maynard, to reprove any ont
present by making myself known bu
as is may seem to some that such. was nj,
Intention. l will add a few words. Mos
tof the ladies' present will remember III,
Calico Cloak butnolohe but the weare
KNEW how deeply such unkind word,
tpierced the little heart that beat beneath
Hit And. as / again hear the old Acade
Fmy bell ring, IL brings back fresh to my
mind tie sorrows 81 my childhood Blu
Ilet NO lady mistake ME BY surprising
ltcherish an unkind feeling toward any one
III know that whatever the past may hay,
been. you are now my friends, But, Ia
dies, let me add, ifIyou have children
learn lesson from my experience, ant
threat kindly the poor and despised. 4
IL calico cloak may cover a heart as warn
with affection. and As sensible to sorrow
hs one that beats beneath q velvet cover
ling. Whenever you meet q child VIII,
shows a disposition to despise the poor
tell the story Of the Calico Cloak ii
will carry its own moral with it."
i !" That is the shortest but the best ser
mon | ever heard, n said the old lady
again. as she put her handkerchief unde
her glasses. and \ do not believe tha
ilsmoral effect viii be lost upon any .
u.s.
The old lady was right. The story
went from one to the other until it found
it's way into the old academy At tia
VERY time Is little boy was attendip.
school there. whose mother was strag
Cling with her needle to give him an ed
1cstion. The boys often made spSrt o
his patched knees and elbows! and h
would run sobbiug home to lis mother
But, when the !" Calico Glosk reached
Ilhe scholars, the little boy {for he va
naturally noble hearted child becam
| very popular in school and the childrel
from that time,i were very kind to /" Lita
Patchey, /" as he had always been called
Whom Mrs. Maynard heard Of !" Litll
| Patchey," she fell that she was well re
! paid fof all she had suffered ID childhood
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