Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-10-01

medal, ana IL was worn from the acadc-
my beneath the despised garment.
Weeks, months, and years glided away
to the students Of Bridgevillc Academy
and the little "Calico Cloak" was forgot
ten Those who were at school with her
had left, to enter upon the business of
life.
Twelve years after Mrs. Lee and her
daughter left town, a Mr.. Maynard, a
young clergyman, came to Bridgeville,
and was settled as the pastor of the vii
lage church. 1t was reported at the
sewing circle, che week following his'or-
dination, that it was expected that he
would bring his bride into town in few
weeks. There was great curiosity to see
her, and especially after it was reported
she was talented young authoress.
A few weeks after, Mr.. Maynard gra-
tilted their curiosity, by walking into
church with his young wife leaning on
his arm. She was lady of great intel
lectual beauty, and everybody Gas they
always are at frst) was deeply interested
in the young minister and his wife.
The next week, the ladies Hocked 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 par
lor was filed with smiling faces The
deacon's carriage was sent to the parson-
age after Mrs. Maynard, and in due time
it arrived, bringing the lady with it,
The shaking of hands that followed hel
arrival can only be imagined by those
who have been present on such an occa-
sion.
How are you pleased with our vii
lage?" asked Mrs. Briston, after the
opening exercises we're over, as she took
seat beside Mrs. Maynard.
81 like its appearance very much, i
certainly has improved wonderfully with
in the last twelve years"
"Were you ever in Bridgeyille be
fore p asked another lady, as she looked
somewhat surprised.
81 was here a few months, when ;
child" replied Mrs Maynard.
Their curiosity was excited.
Have you friends here 2" asked ;
third, after a moments silence.
:" | have not. | resided with my mo
Their, the widow Lee. We lived in
little cottage which stood upon the spo
now occupied by a large store, on til
corner of Pine street"
The widow Lee 2" repeated Mrs
Britton, 81 well remember the cottage
but / do not recollect the name"
" think ! attended school with yo1
at the academy" replied Mrs. Maynard
"you were Miss Mary Lark, were yol
not 2"
"That was my namc," replied til
lady, as a smile passed over her feature
at being recognized; "but am reall
quite ashamed that my memory has prov
cd SO recreant."
was known in the academy as tn
little Calico Cloak Perhaps You ca
remember me by that name"
The smile faded from Mrs. Byitton'
face, and a deep blush oyersproad he
features, which in few moments afte
was seen deepening upon faces Of other
present.
There was a silence for some minutes
when Mrs. Maynard looked up, she foun
that she had caused considerable disturb
ancc among the ladies of her own age
by making herself known.
ooh ! /! remember very well when til
little Calico Cloak went to the aeadc
my"
II bad no intention whatever, ladies,
replied Mrs. Maynard, "to reprove an
one present by making myself known
but as it may seem to some that sucl
was my intention, / will add a few words
Most Of the younger ladies present vii
remember the little Calico Cloak bu
no one but the wearcr knows how mucl
each unkind word pierced the little hear
that beat beneath it. And as / again
hear the old academy bell ring, it bring
back fresh to my mind the sorrows 0
childhood Bat lei no lady mistake me
by supposing / cherish an unkind feeling
towards any one. know that, whatever
the past may have been, you are now M
friends. But ladies, let me add, if you
have children, learn them lesson from
my experience, and teach them TO trea
kindly the poor and dcspised A calico
cloak may cover heart as warm will
affection and as sensitive TO sorrow az
one that beats beneath a velvet covering
Whenever you meet child that shows q
disposition to despiso the poor, tell il The
story of the calico cloak : it will carry
its own moral with it"
That is the shortest, but the best
sermon | ever heard, " said an old lady,
as she put her handkerchief under her
glasses, "and ! 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 ii found
its way into the old academy. At that
very time, little boy was attending
school there, whose mother was strug-
Cling with her needle to give bin an cd
ucation. The boys often made sport Of
bis patched knees and elbows, and he
would run sobbing home to his mother.
But when the story Of the "calico cloak"
reached the scholars, .hc little boy (for
he was naturally noble hearted child
became very popular in school and the
children from that time were very kind
to Little Patchcy," as he had always
been called.
When Mrs. Maynard heard the story
Of "Liitlo Patchcy," she felt that she