The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-06-03
The Calico Cloak.


Mary Lark. girl Of u or IA years, as she ian
to meet group of schoolmates who were COM
ing towards the school-house; ssshe cuts the
most comical figure you ever saw. Her cloak
is made ont of calico. and her shoes are bro
gans such as men and boys wear"
"Oh, yes, I'vc seen her." replied Lucy
Brooks, Esshe is the new washer woman's
daughter. ] shouldn't have thought Mr..
Brown would have taken her into the cademy;
but suppose he likes the money that comes
through suls as we'll as any. 1t i. cleaner, of
course"
And the air rang with the loud laugh of the
girls ,......
'C'me, let us 90 in and examine her,' contin-
ued Mary. as they ascended the steps of the
school-honse; 81 am 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, tho'
tidily clad. The girls went around her, whis-
pering and laughing with each other while
she stood trembling and blushing 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 those Of her
age in her studies, and was placed in classes
with those. two or three years her Seniors
This seemed, on the whole, to make those
girls who were disposed to treat her unkindly
dislike her the more; and she, being Of re-
firing disposition, through their influence had
no friends, but vert and returned from school
alone.
Sand so you really think" said Mary Lark,
as she went mp to the little girl a few weeks
after she entered school. s'that you are going
to get the medal? It will correspond nicely
with your cleak!"
Aad she caught hold Of the cape, and held
it out from her, while the girls COINED in her
loud laugh.
"Calico cloak get the medal! guess she
will should like to see Mr. Brown giving
it to her!" said another Girl, as she caught
hold of her arm, and peeped under the child's
bonnet. A
The little girl struggled to release herself,
and, when she was free, ran home as fast as
she could gos
}, "Oh, mothsr,v 2 she said, as SIZE entered her
asnother's humble kitchen, edo answer Uncle
e cXilliamss letter, and tell him we will come to
= New YORK ID iisel / don't like to live in
Brid4eyilae.s The girls call me Calico Cloak, ,
ands3rogansf and you don't know, mother,
bow unkindly they treat me-" ra,l ,ls.5.s 81
ssLizxiA ny dear" said her mother, "you
A4,At sspset to meet some who will treat you
<salindly on account Of your poverty; but yon
must not be discouraged. Do right, my child,
and ycu will come off conqueror."
Although, Mrs. Lee tried to encourage her
child, she knew that she had to meet severe
trials for one so young.
But, mother, they are unkind to me, there
isn't one who loves me-" said Lizzie.
And the child buried her face in her hands,
] and sobbed aloud. fa@
In Bridgeville Academy there were few
selfish, unprincipled girls; and the others join
ed them in teasing the little calico Cloak ss
they called her, from thoughtlessness, and
love Of sport. But they knew not how deeply
each spo tive 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 towards her
child, resolved to accept her brothers. invita-
tion,-although he was poor mans be-
come member Of his family; hoping that,
while there, her child could continue her stud