The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-07-16
LEGISLATIVE PILGRIMAGE.
How Party Of Last Winters Law
Makers Went to Sorrento.
Men-The Home of the Nicolin Cuba
Day at Sorrento,

Correspondence OF the PRESS
Sorrento, Me-, July ia place where
people enjoy themselves. That would
seem to be good description of Hancock
county and by people you mean the Maine
people who live here the year round and
the people who come here to spend the
summer and fall months in the shore
resorts which are the result of their
coming. Stop for day and night at
Ellsworth and see how the Ellsworth
people have improved their rare oppor-
tunities for enjoying natures beauties.
Five miles from the city, in a setting of
green clad hills lies Branch pond, in
whose quiet waters are painted the
beauties of the hills around and the sky
above. 1t is a quiet place and in the
forest round about deer are still abund-
ant, but the wolves have disappeared
There must have been great packs of
wolves here in early days, for the Indians
gave to the lake the name of 'Nicos-lin, "
"nicos" meaning wolves and "lin" a
pack. This Indian name has been
softened to 'Nicolin," and adopted by
the Ellsworth gentlemen as the name of
the club which they have formed and as
which they have built cosy house. or
camp, on the shore of the lake. Here
they come in winter as well as summer,
driving our from the city in sleighs or on
puckboards. And here on Friday night
were entertained Senator Day. Represen-
tatives Littlefield of Belfast, Haines of
Waterville, Williams of Augusta and
Parkhurst of Bangor, MIR. P. S. Heald of
WAfpryillp and tina Tho
on arriving in Ellsworth had been met at
the station by Hon. Hannibal E. Hamlin
and driven to the residence of Senator
Hale, where they were cordially received
by the Senator. Here the visitor gets a
rare view of this Hancock county, which
nature evidently intended as place for
enjoyment as well as for industry. From
the roof of Senator Hale's house, looking
over the trees which grow in the park of
1000 acres surrounding the mansion, one
sees a vast panorama of hill and dale
with trees here and there, the glimmer of
water between the hills. Senator Hale is
never tired of looking at this view, often
ascending to the platform which covers
the roof of the house and was built there
Tor the purpose Of giving the occupants
an opportunity to look out upon the
broad eXpanse of the surrounding
country This opportunity is enjoyed by
the Senator's visitors, and no one of them
has gone away without expressions of the
pleasure given him by his trip to the roof
Only one visitor SO far as known, has
failed to express appreciation of the view.
Th at was little dog belonging to Chief
Justice Peters. The dog apparently
wanted nearer view of the beauties of
nature for he squeezed through the rail
ing and when rescued was slipping down
the slippery shingles on the steep roof
about as fast as he could scramble up. If
he did not appreciate the view, the dog
did probably enjoy the platform after he
was lifted over the railing.
From Senator Hale's house, the party
was driven to the home of the Abauequis
club, which in Ellsworth proper shelters
an organization composed largely Of the
men who are members of the Nicolin
club Here the picture of Gov. Cleaves
was formally presented to the club by
Senator Day, and accepted by Senator
Hale, the president as has been already
made known to readers Of the PRESS.
Quoted to the Nicolin club. which they
were hidden to treat as if it belonged to
them. Captain HamIin took several
members sailing in the jaunty little cat
boat he keeps here for sailing is among
the diversions of the club all the year
round, fleet of half dozen ice boats
drawn up on the beach showing that
of the water with the aid of the wind is
not unknown in Maine. The excellence
of the fishing in Branch pond was shown
by the catching of couple of black bass,
which eagerly took the gaudy fly attached
to the trolling spoon dragging astern
from the cat boat. A bit of excitement
was added to the sail by the ascent to the
masthead of one of the party who lives
near salt water to recover ballard
which had parted company with the gaff.
The dinner which had been cooked by
the steward of the club, and which was
served in the large dining room was one
long to be remembered. Senator Hale
presided at the head of the table and the
guests were seated in the midst of large
number of the club members. 1t was an
entirely informal affair. At it's close, the
drive through the moonlit country back
to Ellsworth was charming close to a
delightful day.
1t may interest Portland people to know
what kind of house it is in which the
members of the Nicolin club take their
ease and comfort. 1t is a low rustic
structure surrounded by broad piazzas.
Around it on three sides are the woods,
which border the lake. The lake shore
is a stones throw from the house and at
this point is beach of white sand and
pebbles. Inside the house, there is first
the great reception room, with @ wide
spreading fire place. Adjoining is the
dining room, long enough and broad
enough to seat all the members of the
club and their wives, too, for once week
the club has ladies' day. The good
cheer which accompanies the club gather
ings requires an ample kitchen, and that
opens off the dining room. Upstairs is
large room containing a number of
hunks, where members who want to go
fishing in the early morning hours, or
who return late from the days jaunt in
the woods or on the lake, may spend the
night
Saturday morning, after call at the
dry goods emporium of Mr.. Gallert, one
of the hosts of the evening before, the
legislative pilgrimage was continued to
Sorrento. AS the law makers had voted
to make this summer resort town all by
itself, they naturally had a good deal of
curiosity to see how the new town was
getting along. More of an inducement
than that, however, was the pleasure of
meeting the mayor of Sorrento The
mayor was on the wharf to receive the
party, and gave them a hearty greeting.
The mayor of Sorrento it may be stated
for the benefit of people who have been
deprived of the pleasure of his acquaint-
ance, is Mr.. VIM. H. Lawrence, manager