Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-10-07
The Maine State Industrial Sc DOL for
Girls.

The Maine state Industrial School at
HalloweIl. is designed for the protection
and educ alton OF girls, who by force OF cir
cumstances or associations are in manifest
danger of becoming outcasts OF society. II
i three story brick building. and is situ-
ated about one half mile from the center
of the town. on an elevation that COM
mands an extensive view, OF q beautiful
lsnd>cape.
As one enters the house in the forenoon
and is ushered into the well furnished re-
ception room or parlor. one is conscious
that there are children IN the house. The
sound of cheerful voices aud busy feet. 20
ing here and there. each doing her respcc
tive duty, falls pleasantly upon the ear.
The Matron Mrs. ". J. Hamilton, re-
Gently from the Connecticut Industrial
School for girls. has the general Snperin-
tendence of the family. She Is the mother
of the family striving to win their afirc
tions and confidence, sympathizing with
their trials, patiently enduring their weak
nesses and kindly but decidedly holding
the reins of government" Miss c. NJ.
Brown of Chesterville, Assistant Matron or
| Teacher Mrs. ID. VI. Currier OF y ew Sha-
ron. houskeeper. who has charge of the Nit
chen. washrooms, and under whose instruc-
lion the girls become skilled in cooking,
washing, cleaning etc.
The different kinds Of work are done in
tie forenoon, under the supervision of one
! of these ladies', who seem devoted to the
good work they have SO cheerfully under
taken. Each girl has her work changed
every month.
On the lett rs you enter, is the sewing
room. "A large, pleasant room which is al
so the family sitting room. The dining
room. kitchen and school room. furnished
with all modern conveniences, occupy the
frst door.
After the twelve o'clock dinner, there is
still the busy, small rush going on, till il is
time to get ready for school at two, at
which they are very much afraid OF being
late. They are all neatly dressed before
the hour. walking out of doors by twos or
threes. talking, laughing. or playing As
they like best. Their school hours are from
two till five Z. NJ. with the usual recess.
they seem to be naturally "a bright and
are as well dressed and interesting, as any
Of our school girls. Some have been sadly
neglected. and OF course are trying hard to
make up the loss. Some were very good
scholars. Several read selections. bits of
poetry cut from papers that had beec sent
in. They like to have pretty pieces of poe
try sent TO them. Some of them read very
finely. The oldest girl is fifteen. They
are admitted to the school, between the
ages of seven and ffleen. The age OF
girls have been sent from Ellsworth. two
of them. non residents. One is an orphan,
has no one. aud one has a father who
has very poor health, and both he and the
daughter in so good a place. All were
more or less. public charge. SO we the
public, ought to feel an interest in our own
| little ones There are more OF them left
among US. uncared fO-. There is one 9TH
er from this county, making only five from
Hancock.
The most advanced one from Ellsworth.
fifteen years old, reads in the third reader.
but could not write. One girl of thirteen.
has learned her letters, and can read words
of three letters, has learned the days OF
the week. but cannot tell the time of day.
Probably she had never seen clock till
she went there. The second and third
floors, are sleeping rooms, hallsland rooms
scrupulously clean. Each girl has room
to herself, bed with white quilt, and other
necessary furniture. Water is carried to a
tank at the top of the house by means of
power furnished by windmill, thence il is
carried by pipes to supply bath rooms,
! kitchen, etc.