Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-10-01
Interesting Gale.
THE CALICO CLOAK.

Have you seen the new scholar ?"
asked Mary Lark, girl of II or II
years, as she ran to meet group of
schoolmates who were coming toward the
school house ''she cuts the most conf
cal 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
woman's daughter. | shouldn't have
thought Mr.. Brown would have taken
her into the academy; 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's go in and examine her."
continued Mary, as they assembled the
steps of the school house "I'm 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 poorly though tidily clad. The
girls went around her, whispering and
laughing with each. other, while she stood
trembling and blusEing 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, dis
like her the more, and she, being Of a
retiring disposition, through their inhu-
ence had no friends, but went and re-
turned from school alone.
"And so you really think, said Mary
Lark, as she went up to the little girl a
few weeks after she entered school, "that
you are going to get the medal 1t will
correspond with your c!oakp
And she caught hold of the cape, and
held it out from her, while the girls
around joined in her loud laugh.
Calico cloak get the medal guess
she will | should like to see Mr..
Brown giving it to herw said another
girl, as she caught hold Of her arm, and
peeped under the child's bonnet.
The little girl struggled to release
herself, and, when she was free, ran
home as fast as she could CO.
"Oh, mother" she said, as she en-
tered her mothers humble kitchen, edo
answer Uncle Williams letter, and tell
him we will come TO New York to live
| don't like to live in Bridgcyille. The
girls call me Calico Cloak, and Bro
gans, 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 poverty; but you must not be dis
couraged. DO right, my child, and you
will eventually come off conqueror.
Although Mrs Lee tried to encourage
her 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 in her
hands, and sobbcd aloud.
In Bridgeyille Academy there were a
few selfish, unprincipled girls; and the
others joined them in teasing the little
calico Cloak" as they called her, from
thoughtlessness and from love Of sport.
But they kaew not how deeply each
sportiye word pierced the heart of the
little stranger, and how many bitter tears
she shed in secret over their unkindness.
Mrs. Lee, learning that the scholars
still continued their unjust treatment to-
wards her child, resolved to accept her
brothers invitation, although he was a
poor man, and become a member of his
family, hoping that while there, her
child could continue her studies, and per-
haps through his influence lead happier
life among her schoolmatcs; accordingly
at the end Of the term, she left Bridge
vile aud removed 20 Sew York Al