Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-15

but about $500 has been Collected ana
paid in upon the estate, and Mr.. Mer-
rll is sanguine that this amount will
soon be contributed. The idea then Is
to obtain and restore so far as posi-
bic the furnishings of the rooms which
Mr.. Abbott used in the house. as his
Office and private apartments, to re-
store the grounds to their former con-
dition, according to maps in possession
of the estate, and furthermore, they
have purchased a memorial tablet,
which is to be formally dedicated to-
morrow.
The Abbott Memorial tablet, which
IS of bronze, will set into a rough
granite stone, which has been placed
in position at the right of the entrance
to the Abbott office. 1t will be un-
yelled with appropriate exercises at
the close of the Academy reunion eXer-
cises tomorrow.
Few Acres. which is now used as an
additional dormitory for the Abbott
School. is a beautiful, old-fashioned
country residence, long and rambling,
with quaint old rooms and roof of an
Gent style. 1t is situated at the foot
of hill. and it's grounds spread over
a variety of meadow river and upland
scenery, which makes it favorite re-
sort for both townspeople and visitors.
Few strangers visit Pennington
without making a trip to Few Acres.
In the Abbott house. Few Acres, are
already grouped together a number OF
relics, valuable some for association.
others for intrinsic merit. These are
To be permanently kept here, and 9TH
erS added as soon as possible.
Upon entering the little. low posted
room where Jacob Abbott lived and
worked 50 many years, the first thing
which attracts the eye is handsome
portrait of the man himself, in the
place of honor. other portraits are on
the walls. including those of JACOB
Abbott (2d), Sallucia Abbott, Mr.. and
Mrs. Jacob fhhott. taken together.
Mrs. Abbott vas Mary Dana Wood
bury, and of other relatives of the
family. These are all old. queerly
framed, and making valuable family
relies. Here, too. hangs the black
lnard from which Mr.. Abbott used to
Instruct his students, and explain his
theories.
Set into two alcovns in the room are
book cases reaching from floor to
ceiling. ind containing the books which
he used. for reference or pleasure,
during his sojourn here.
Much more valuable however, is the
tiny double doored book case with its
little wooden button. which Mr.. Alb
bolt made himself. to hold the choice
editions of his books. Some of these
are foreign editions, and they include
q full set of his writings. interlined
and marked with his own handwriting.
On another wall hangs the d-fash-
toned letter box. strangely similar in
design to the modern ones. which he
made for his own use, and above it.
with chain dangling. is the bell which
he used to summon his maids. or call
together his children. All these things
We're his own work and have their
value uncstimabe.
In Il big alcove also stands the broad.
low bed upon which he slept for many
years. Close by is the flax wheel
which his women folks used to spin
the threads for their raiment. and near
at hand stands the old rocking chair
which was his special favorite.
Curious above all. however. is the
fonr wheeled. four handled wheelbar-
row which he designed and made. to
convey wood for the fires, from one
room tG another about the house.
The rooms which contain these relics
of the man who helped to make
Pennington famous are used as the
office of Mr.. George Dudley Church,
the present master of the Little Blue.
or Abbott School. Mr.. Church is al
ways ready to exhibit and explain the
treasures and is gentleman of culti-
walton. charm of manner and a born
leader of the boys whom he has in
charge. When the Little Blue School
was burned, some years since. there
was much encouragement expressed
lest its usefulness had terminated. But
those who best knew its value to the
boys whom it had educated, banded
themselves together into an associa-
ton and reorganized. under the name
Of "The Abbott School for Boys" and
on the grounds of the old school has
arisen Il handsome. modern building,
much better than the other. The
number Of pupils is limited to IS,
where it formerly was but 20. The
price of yearly tuition has been in
creased to 5000 annually, and yet the
waiting list is large.
The school is managed with con-
slant thought of the high standards
upheld by Rev. Samuel Phillips Alb
bolt. its founder. and the principals
who have come after him. One in
structor is employed for every five
boys. which gives each lad not only
careful instruction. but personal
supervision of the best. The school
fits a lad thoroughly for college. and
instructs him as well in the social and
moral requirements of q gentleman. 1t
is the pride of this town, and with
the Normal School. makes Farming
ton an exceptionally well superior
place educatiOnally.
This summer Mr.. Church has organ
lied and is conducting a summer camp
for boys, which is proving a success.