Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-01-28
FOR the Ellsworth American.
The Hermit Of Little Island.



was standing on the wharf at Rock
land awaiting the departure of the Boston
boat. She was behind time that evening,
and most of the ider. had disappeared.
As the last man with his truck clattered
noisily down the long slip and the bell be-
gan to clang out its summons on board,
man brushed past me, leading the hand
soonest Newfoundland dog | have ever
seen. They went quickly up the gang
plank and disappeared over the steamers
side. At the last moment / followed on.
and for some time stood watching the cleo
tric lights as they sent their quivering
beams over the dark sea. Finally decid-
ed to 60 to my state room and turn in this
did not suit. so | tried reading In the sa-
loon; all failure At last | had hit it A.:
| put on my ulster, for the September
night on tie Atlantic was cool. and filling
my pipe went on deck for a smoke. had
hardly got seated in a sheltered corner
. the owner Of the dog, approached and took
seat rear me. He had evidently, like
myself come out to smoke, and we soon
entered into conversation. II have fallen
in love with your dog" l said; 'he is a
remarkably nelooking arimal." He is
indeed" replied the stranger, land one of
the most intelligent l ever saw The way
he came into my possession is quite a
/ story"
! suggested that there could be no pleas
anter way to pass an hour than by his re-
but finally consented and gave it to me as
nearly as can remember IN the following
| words:
Three years ago, was spending few
weeks cunning on one of the islands of
the eastern Maine coast. l enjoyed to the
utmost my solitary tramps along the rough.
breezy shore, or my excursions in my little
skir when in the gray of early dawn I
waited within easy range of the decoys
for the first shot. But my luck had been
poor and l was thinking seriously Of re-
turning home. One afternoon as l was
returning gun in hand, l met an old fish.
erman with whom stopped for few mo.
ments to chat.
Why don't you 60 of to Little Island?
he asked. That's the best place herea-
bouts for birds. Why, I've shot fifty from
the eastern side in one morning There's
an old chap lives there l guess would take
you in. He came there bout five year age
and built camp, kind of hermit like, new
er goes nowheres and nobody ever goes
there, but peaceabe for all that. Yes,
he said shouldering a string of net buoys
that's where should go if 1 was you
walked on to my boarding place full OF
the idea. A hermit? Surely here was 9
real adventure. l had often in my ram
bles seen this island which looked to be q
mere wooded knoll about a league sea
ward. 1t was already three O'Clock, so
had need Of haste In order to reach the is
land before dark. took food enough fol
several days, also two heavy quilts. my
gun and decoys, and put out in the little
skif which had hired. After . tiresomt
pull, for the wind was ahead, landed or
the north eide of the island in q small cove
which seemed to be the only shelter it fur
nished. Moored in this inlet was lobster
car to which was fastened q dory, and
scattered about on the beach we're oars
bnoys, nets, and other paraphernalia OF
fishermen. showing, beyond q doubt, that
the island was occupied. l fastened my
boat and followed q well-defned patti
which lead up from the shore. The island
was larger than it had looked to be, and
had proceeded several hundred yards wher
/ came suddenly upon q hut in small
opening among the trees. A man sat on {
rough stool in front Of the door, mendina