The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-03-24

Deacon's carriage was sent to the parson-
aye after Mrs Maynard, and in due time
it arrived, bringing the lady within 1t
The shaking of hands that followed her
arrival, can be imagined by those only
who have been present upon such occa-
sinns.
GLOW are you pleased with our village!"
asked Mrs Britton, after the opening
exercises were over, as she took seat be-
side Mrs, Maynard
81 like its appearance much it has i'm
proved wonderfully within the last twelve
years"
"Whcrc you ever in Bridgeville be
fore 2" asked another lady, as those around
looked somewhat surprised.
II was here few months when child, ="
replied Mrs. Maynard.
Their curiosity was excited.
"Have you friends here?" asked third.
after moments silence.
81 have not. | resided with my moth
er-widow Lee. We lived in little cot
tage, which stood upon the spot now occu-
pied by large storehouse, on the corner
OF Pine street
"The widow Lee % repeated Mrs. Brit
ton F; II well remember the cottage, but |
don't recollect the name"
"I think | attended shool with you at
the Academy" replied Mrs. Maynard
''You were Miss Mary Lark,-were you
not ?'
THAT was my name" replied the lady,
as a smile passed over her features at be-
ing recognized ''but l am really quite
ashamed that my memory has proved so
recreant,"
"I was known in the Academy as the
little Calico Cloak Perhaps you can
remember me by that name
The smile faded from the face of Mrs.
Britton, and a deep blush overspread her
features, which in few moments was
seen deepening upon the faces of others
present There was silence for some
minutes. When Mrs. Maynard looked
up she found that she had caused consid-
cradle disturbance among the ladies of her
own age by making herself known.
cob | remember very well when the
little Calico Cloak went to the Academy
said an old lady, as she looked over her
glasses, ''and | think, if MY memory
serves me right, some Of the ladies pres
ent owe Mrs. Maynard an apology"
~ had no intention whatever, ladies',
replied Mrs. Maynard, 'to reprove any
one present by making myself known; but
as it may seem TO some that such was my
intention, | will add few words. Most
OF the young ladies' will remember the lit
tie Calico Cloak but no one bat the
wearer knew how deeply each uukind
word pierced the little heart that beat be-
meath IT, As | again hear the old Acad-
emy bell ring. it brings back to my mind
the sorrow of my childhood But let no
lady mistake me by supposing that cher
ish any unkind feeling toward any one -
/ know that whatever the past may have
been. you are now my friends. Bat Ia
dies, let ME add, if you have children,
learn them 4 lesson from ry experience,
ana treat kindly the poor and despised.
j calico cloak may cover a heart as warm
with affection. and as sensitive with sor-
row, as oGc that beats beneath velvet
covering. Wherever you meet a child
that shows 4 disposition to despise the
poor, tell it the story of the little Calico
Cloak'--it will carry It's own moral with
il.
''That is the shortest, but the hest SER
mon ever heard, )" said the old lady again,
as she put her handkerchief under her
glasses, "and l don't believe it will be
lost by any of US
The old lady was right The story
went from one to another until it found
its way into the Academy.
At that very time little boy was at
tending school there, whose mother was
struggling with her needle to give him an
education. The boys often made sport of
his patched knees and elbows, and he
would run home to his mother. But
when the "Calico Cloak" reached the
scholars, the little boys (for he was natu-
rally noble hearted child) became very
kind to "Little Patchey"
When Mrs. Maynard heard the story Of
FLittle Patchey" she felt that she was
well repaid for all she herself had suffer
ed in her childhood.