Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-10-28

A story which almost parallels that told
Of Capt. Gray the sailor farmer of Teddy
Pond, who is said to carry . compass on his
pillow to run the burrows straight, comes
from Cranberry Isles. One sea captain,
who enjoys the proud distinction OF own
ing one OF the very few horses on the
island, got alarmed for fear that he would
lose his bearings in the recent smoke, and
on the seracious accounts of sober citizens,
took the pinnacle from the vessel and
strapped it alongside the seat Of his wagon,
fearing that the weather might become so
thick that be would lose his bearings
and have to navigate in what Was worse
than Q fog. 1t is currently reported that
he shouts at his team to turn to starboard
or port, instead Of the more conventional
nd-iubber terms usually employed.
When those who pass the summer vac.-
ton at delightful Verona PARK. on the
banks of the Penobscot river, arrive for
the season OF 1903 1t won't be quite the
same. The trees sill be there, the oluisn-
green waters Of the river will roll along
to the sea, splashing against the rock Y
abutments of the Prospect mountains on
the opposite shore, but there will be no
Uncle Peter around the grounds 10 shake
hands and say s'Good morning" in that
cheerful, low voice which had become SO
well-known to all. Uncle Peter has put
away forever the cares of this world and
gone so those who know him firmly feel
Ito that better world from which no vow
ager has returned. None among tine
happy throngs who babe the kindly old
gentleman good bye when the leaving day
came this fall thought for an instant that
within few short weeks he would be no
more, and that another year they would
miss him as no one who ever has been
around the camp-grounds has been
missed. Peter Abbot, Of Verona, was born
there more years ago than some of our
mothers and fathers can count. He lived
there all his life, and from one end of the
island to the other was known and re-
spected of al! men. When they started to
build Verona Park camp-ground, he be-
came interested in the work, and to his
last days was one Of its active workers.
He WAS there most OF the time during the
summer from early spring until late fall.
During the busy weeks OF the season he
stayed there all the time. In years, he was
an old man. In spirit, he was the young
est man on the ground. To him the
young folks went when they had a plan
for amusement. He was always with
them. Older ones might be against their
plans, but they could always depend upon
Uncle Peter to vote their way. 81 was
young once, myself" said he to the writer
one day, couple OF years ago, when some
Of the cottagers were Directing to a dane
ing party which was to be held. II liked
to dance, and guess haven't got SO old
but what would like to shake a leg Bit
now, il they only weren't getting a bit toe
stih." Children were his delight. He
couldn't keep a penny in his pocket il
there was youugster on the grounds. One
summer in particular there was a beyy OF
about fifteen little girls and boys, all less
than eight years Of age. Wherever YOU
saw Uncle Peter, you found these little
folks. They were at his heels from the
time he got around in the morning until
they donned their nighties, said the even
ing prayer and curled up in their little
beds and went to sleep. He kept them
supplied with Halliday suckers, and
other forms OF candies. To them, Uncle
Peter was the shining light OF the park.
OF recent years. during the season, they
have held weekly dances at the pavilion
on the park. Uncle Peter was ALWAYS
there and one of the interesting sights was
to see him dancing with his granddaugh-
ter who was only half dozen years Old.
A good man and true one; a man who
has done his part to make the world bet
ter and its people happier, has passed
away.-Lectsfon journal.