Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-07-11


earnest desire TO see so distinguished a
teachar induced me to call on DR.. Abb
bottt. He received me with cordially,
and expressed the graft fcation which
I the visits Of stud Tents afforded him.
/ 3. 'sI have given, = said he with q smile,
& the best energies OF my life to the edu-
cation OF youth, and IL is but natural
that ] should not be indifferent to the
regard Of young folks. " s5S J. I
Some inquiries with reference to my
own objects Of life served to introduce
the theme which seemed to absorb
all his thoughts. He. explained at
length his own theory of education, and
spoke of the progress at the academy
since it first came. under his control in
1888. Abiding to the choice Of a pro-
fession, he said: @ IT..
II have always been accustomed to
advise Young men to take good care Of
their health, perfect themselves in their
studies, acquire as much practical knowl-
edge and general information as pos
sible, and then let circumstances and
the bent Of their genius dictate what
voeatian they should follow"
It was suggested that some teachers
recommend an early choice of calling
and the pursuit Of the special studies
which tend to promote professional sue
cess. T., ~ =. .z#E.
''No, no, "he replied with great earn
estness, IT do not believe that is best.
[ have always counseled the youth under
my charge first to complete their gen.
eral studies, and then to follow the guild
ance of their natural tastes in the Sc
/ lection Of q profession. A long obser-
walton of the careers of young men con-
firms the wisdom of this course"
IA transition from this subject to the
great men who had once been under his
tuition was very natural to teacher
proud Of the success of his pupils. The
Incidents which DIR. Abbott related
about school-boys who have since
become ilust1ious were extremely inter-
esting. ..sG
n. Lewis Cass, !, he said, sswas a very
wild boy. One day his father, Maj. Cass,
came to me and asked me If I would take
his SON.
| - Certainly, but why doy you ask?'
oh 1.-THE youngster is headstrong and
hard to manage. I am an officer and can
govern soldiers, but that boy is too much
I for me-
What does he do?' --
4"&tPlays truant, runs away from his
work, steals off without my permission
to go a cunning, fishing and swimming,
and is full of all kinds of pranI.s.'
We'll, send him to me, and I'll see
what / can do with HIM ',.a
The boy was placed under my
charge. Several months latter I met
his father, and asked him how his son
was getting along. "Well, sir said he,
| ST Lewis was half as afraid of the AL
mighty as he is.of yor, I should never
have any more trouble with him."
i In relating this Incident DR.. Abbott
fairly shook with the laughter which
the recollection OF Maj, Cass' answer
excited. NJ go.
It is scarcely necessary to add that,
!, controlled by the preceptor's extraor
binary power of@discipline, the strong
motive energies which led young Cass
into all sorts of boyish mischief were
!, directed to nob.er objects. The results
of the wise management which quick
ened the ambition and reused into action
the faculties of a powerful nature are
recorded in American history. It was,
+! however, intimated that at Exeter the
future statesman evinced more talent
! for practical fairs than for the details
Of scholarship.
In speaking of the school boy traits
of Daniel Webster, DR. Abbott men
| toned an unexpected fact. He said
that "young Webster showed an insu-
| perable aversion to defamation. As
the boy is father to the man. it might
have been supposed that the lad who
| was destined to be pre- eminent in ora
| tory would haye exhibited an early fond
ness for defamation, but no persuasions
could overcome his natural diffdence.''
DR.. Abbott remarked that athere
was popular misrepresentation with
! regard to W ebster's scholarship. It
was generally believed that Webster
Wss a dull and unsuccessful man, but
Isuch WIS not the fact. His mind rarely
seemed to be occupied with his studies.
i His large, lustroIIs, thoughtful eyes
i we're gazing about the room, or lookin g
out of. the window ]; but at recitation the
pupil who appeared not to be engaged
IN studions preparation always acquitted
himself well. He often showed q far
4 better grasp Of the subject than those
! who were more familiar with the minor
points of sch b arship. .s,# I.
hile Dr. Abbott was telling these
/ anecdotes his tones became moro earnest
/ and Shiseyes Jig hted up with glow
which these agreeable reco1l ections kin
died lbswas lniite Curious that age had
il DOT yet who'll quenched the fires Of ear
1 lier manhood. 81 ss
1 Heartily thanking him for his courte-
j sizes. and for rare pleasure which
i his conversation had afforded, bade
the venerable teacher God by as
The next time q Saw him he was lying
4 IN his coffin. An ~ pressiion 81 sweet
4 and child Like serenity rested upon his
features, al though the Divine hand had
set npon his face the seal ,of d happy
and we'll spent lie.
notable rgicals peration has been
performed 81 tie earl of ton, whose
/ life BIS been saved wing his tongue
cut out Oh 8 cancer. Filth.
4 erto sscancer has beer
deemed fatal 81 dde1 plaeide Hen.
died 81 II, Bro 0th er rThpInail
committed suicill 8 Ill ler the suiaferine
I which ids 1ss