Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-09
Legends OF Mount Desert.

| Anyone who has ever visited Mount
Desert will wildly remember the four
beautiful islands. called the Porcu-
pines. which stand guarding the en-
trance of Frenchman's bay. opposite
the village Of Bar Harbor These
| islands, like all uninhabited attractive
hooks along the New England coast.
are surrounded with mystery and
abound in legends weird and thrilling
ON Bald Porcupine, it is said, is a
deep cave extending underground into
the Very heart of the island. And
there lies hidden, but as yet undis-
covered. the far-famed treasures OF
Captain Kidd. Very many years ago.
as the old story-tellers have it, before
ever the Norsemen visited these
shores, there lived on this island. now
called Mount Desert, a wonderful
giant, who was monarch of all he sur
veyed. Men, women. children. birds
of the air and beasts of the fields, none
so insignificant but did him reverence
He was tyrannical in his rule, de-
handing much and giving little. But
like all such individuals. he had his
faVoriteS. which in this case happened
to be four large porcupines. These ami
mails We're allowed to roam at will over
the whole island paying no attention to
the laws and regulations. which
affected all the other inhabitants. on.
day it CHANGED. the king in a burst Of
anger spoke sharply to these favorites
and ordered them to obey him. In
stead of doing so they turned abruptly
and 1anrni ma rnbjnp the
shore; arriving there, they did not
stop, but began to wade far out into
the sea. The king commanded en-
treated and implored, but in vain
Finally seizing a huge rock, he hurled
il after the retreating figures. AS the
rock dropped it balanced on the edge
of another and from that day to this
| it has remained in the same position
ana is pointed out to strangers visit
ing Bar Harbor as Balance Rock.
| When the boulder touched the ground
| the animals stood still and slowly be-
gan to sink. until only the tops of
/ their huge backs We're visible above
the water. Finally they began to
pctrify and in time became as one sees
them today. four luxuriantly clothed
i islands, one of the attractive features
| Of the natural scenery around Bar
Harbor.
There is a peculiar fascination
which hovers about all cid cemeteries
and causes both the sightseer and the
idle passer-by to linger "a moment and
mediate on the marble slabs which
mari the last resting places of men
| unknown to fortune and to fame.
From the grand and impressive Gene
terry of Pere Ia Chaise in Paris, to the
Cuiet and unassuming. yet picturesque
and peaceful graveyard of a New
| England country village comes the
same silent message. Thou. too, shall
| share their destiny" The New Eng
Land graveyard possesses many char
acteristics peculiar to itself Often old
epitaDhs are on the stones, while
others perhaps are unmarked, except
by some initial letter on the indefinite
| word Father" and Mother" In a
cemetery on the western side of Mount
De rt island. near Seal cove, there IS
a gravestone which has stood the
storms and gales of many winters.
This piece Of marble marks the bury
ing-place Of an honest and much re-
spected citizen of one Of the well
man during his long life was noted for
his piety and strong faith in immor-
talitv. And as old age grew upon him
his mind was wont to dwell upon one
supreme thought. and he loved to ex-
n1tiate upon it to those with whom he
came in contact, and especially in the
mid week prayer meeting, where his
theme was Il shall wear crown VI
there" Finally he passed over to the
great majority. and Joined the in
Vulnerable throng to gain his reward
and wear his crown" Now, after q
lapse Of many years, there has APP
neared upon his tombstone and may be
seen by all who drive past this quiet
and secluded spot. the exact shape OF
a crown. formed thus by the winter
storms and summer sunshine. An
other village of the dead here or
Mount Desert island which is of inter
, est to lovers of historical lore is the
old graveyard at Hull cove. Here is
the last resting place of Monsieur anc
Madame de Gregoire; at one tint
owners of one-ha1f of Mount Deser
island. AS one stands by these small
and neglected mounds of earth, mark
ed by a crumbling wooden cross
thoughts Of the past and the few
: sturdy pioneers who first settled here
crowd uDon the mind.