The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-08-29
The Calico Cloak,

"Have you seen the new scholarE" asked
Mary Lark, a girl of twelve or fourteen years,
as she ran TO meet group OF schoOmatos,
who were coming toward the schoOlhouse !;
"sho cuts the most comical looking fguru
you ever saw. Her cloak is mado out of
calico, and her shoes arc brogans, such as
men and boys W sar."
"Oh, Yes, I've seen her" said Lucy Brooks,
"she's the new washerwoman's daughter.
shouldn't have thought Mr.. Brown would
have taken her into the Academy but
suppose ho likes the money thai comes
through suds as well as any. II 10 clearer,
of course"
And the dir rang with tho girls laughter.
"Let us go in and examine her" continued
Mary, as thoy asceDded the schooI-houso
steps; I'm thinking she will make fun
for US"
Tho glrls vent into tho dressing room,
where they found the new scholar. She
was q mild, intelligont-looking child, but
poorly though tidIy clad. The girls went
around her, whispering and laughing with
each other, while she stood trembling and
blushing in one corner of the room, without
venturing to ruse her eyes from the floor,
Whom she entered the school they found
the little cir! far in advance of those of her
age in her studies, and placed in classes OF
those two or three years her senior. This
seemed, on the whole, to make those girls
who were disposed to treat her unkindly,
dislike her the most and she, being of a
retiring disposition, through her influence
had no friends, but went and returned from
school alone.
sand do you really think" said Mary
Lark, as she went up to the little girl few
| nGa afta ch thn fhai
you are going to get the medal 1t will
correspond nicely with your cloak !"
And she caught hold OF the cape and hello
it out from her, while the girls joined in
her loud laugh.
"Calico cloak got the medal? guesl
she will l should like to see Mr.. Brown
give it to her." said another girl, as she
caught hold of her arm and popped under
the cbld's bonnet. Tho little girl struggled
to release herself and when she was free
ran home as fast AS possible.
"Oh, mother" she said, as che entered
her humble kitchen, "do answer uncle Will
llam's letter, and tell him we will come tt
New York to live. don't like to live il
Bridgeyile. The girls call mo calico
r cloak, and 'brogans, and you don't know
!, how unkindly they treat me-"
! "Lzzie, my DEAR" said the mother, "yor
must expect to meet with those who troa
you unkndly on account of your poverty
but you must not be discouraged. Do right
and you will eventually come of conqueror.
Although Mrs. Lee tried to encourage
her child, yet she knew that she had tC
meet with severe trials for one so young.
= "But, mother, they are all unkind to me
there isn't one that loves me"
And the child buried her face in hel
hands and sobbed aloud.
In Bridgeylle Academy there were few
unprincipled girls, and tho others joined
them in teasing the little "calico cloak" a
they called her, from thoughtlessness and I
love OF sport. But they knew not hov
deeply each sportive word pierced the hear
. OF the little stranger, and how many bite
} tears she had shed in secret over their un
j kindness.
. Mrs. Lee, learning that the scholars con
tinued their unjust treatment toward he
child, resolved TO accept her brothers inyj
tatiOn, although be was q poor man, anC