Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-02-11
."' For the VENOM FARMER.
NY Grandmother Cloak.

There it hung, away back in the corner
Of the wardrobe, and it rarely saw the light,
and then only in times OF general overhaul
ing OF old apparel and putting things to
rights 10 spring and fall.
A quaint, old garment and very dear to
my heart solely because at some remote
period it had been worn by my ancestross
who had died before my remembrance, and
was tendery cared for the same az the old
Counterpart, IN good state Of preservation,
which should be more 10th to part with than
all nv modern 'baskets" aud "albums" put
together. Then there's grandmother's blue
susarbowl which couldn't be bought with all
the silver it would hold. Don't toll me that
nv bump of veneration is deficient for it
isn't where my grandmother is concerned.
But this little story has TO do only with
the cloak, which, strange as it may appear,
have never thoroughly examined till last
night. 1t is long, heavy affair, ample Of
skirt and we'll wadded, with an ungainly
looking yoke, into which the lower part is
plated. 1t was worn with largo cape with
heavy fringe very comfortable indeed. l
think / shall resign my waterproof for It
some of these cold days. And think in the
added comfort | should experience l could
afford to be indifferent to the sensation it
would create. Last eve, strangely enough,
bethought me would look it over and see
if perchance the handsomely lowered black
| cloth which formed the outside coHld be
made seUceabe az polonaise, while the 10.
| side would FL bedquilt nicely, (how could
| commit such 4 sacrilege). l thrust my
hand into the opening made for the arms,
when l noticed a curious looking fold l had
never seen before. drew out few stitches
of basting thread and pocket like opening
was revealed, which found to be over two
feet deep and quite wide, and contained sew
eral fat looking parcels.
10 the first, securely wrapped in a hand
kerchief, was letter yellow with age and il
was folded and sealed without an envelope
other than the sheet on which it was written
aud was directed in q very plain hand ID
Francis Williams, Esq, New Bedford
What mystery Evidently the letter never
had reached it destination Tor the seal wal
unbroken. Its mail mark was New York
ran down stairs in fever Of excitement
the cloak on my arm some Of the Aeighbors
we're 10, and it promised to be nine days
wonder. 1 remember the letter in detail
it was full Of interest even to us aud mus
have been a real loss to its rightiu owner
His friend was to sail for England in few
days and never expected to return. 1t was q
letter Of farewell 50 aifectionate that i
brought the tears to my eyes to think it was
never received.
The other parcels we're even stranger thar
the letter but all were directed to "F. W.,
the gifts Of the writer Of the letter. Blu
how camc they in the inside Of the old cloak
Ii seemed they were a part Of the travelling
outfit of the would.be voyager. A nice dresl
coat very much out of our present style
which | was offered ten dollars for as curl
osity aud which was at once accepted. A dress
ing gown of gorgeous pattern, very beautiful
(no WShdsr the old cloak was 70 heavy 4