The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-08-01
A FAREWELL TO MAINE.

of my departure for a home on the
Pacific coast, to be once more permit
ted to breath the invigorating air and
look, perhaps for the last time, on the
rivers and hills, the mountains and
valleys, of dear old Maine. The old
familiar scenes never looked so beauti-
full as they do this year, and never did
the air seem so inspiring and invigora-
ting as it does at the present time.
1t is no wonder that the stranger
from afar seeks her wooded retreats,
her island Edens, and her mountain
homes, ''far from the madding crowd"
Although born and reared almost in
sight of Penobscot bay, 1 have only
recently been introduced to some of the
most charming spots on her charming
shores.
For the first time in my life have
looked on old Castine, immortalized in
history, romance and song. l have
gazed on Cape kozier, (vilifed by the
chroniclers) and have seen in the
distance the azure outlines of old Blue
Hill, now of scientific fame, and have
had an opportunity to admire the jag
ged and singular rock formation which
renders part of Islesboro so interest
ing to the stranger within the unlocked
boundaries of Penobscot bay.
Farther down, across the broad
expanse of water dotted with islands
on one side and skirting the main land
on the other lies the gem of the bay,
Little Deer Island. Here the busy
hand of thrift and industry has reared
colony of pretty villas where the
invalid drinks in balm and healing dur
ing the golden summer days and where
the children grow nut-brown and
healthy in the pure salt air.
Little Deer Island is the offspring of
Deer Island, and is connected with the
mother island by bar of sand which
can be crossed with safety at low tide.
Northeast of Little Deer, the blue
waters of the bay sweep through Egge-
moggin Reach, which describes near
ly half circle in southerly direction
and rush out again into the open
The little settlement, or summer col
ony, is appropriately named ''Eggemog-
gin" The genius which created this
romantic village is centered in the per-
son of Captain Babson,' which name
is a synonym for all that is chivalric,
generous, just and honest.
Just to the west of Little Deer, and
separated by only few feet of deep
water, is Pumpkin Light" one of the
many frst-class light houses which
abound among the dangerous reefs and
islands of Maine Here for many a
long year has Captain Babson lighted
and watched the little beacon which
sends out its rays to wall The lonely
coaster or the belated steamer of the
dangerous low reef which makes out in
long point from Pumpkin Island.
When the Civil War broke out Captain
W
and has record second to none.
Wounded and taken prisoner he Ian
guished in Libby prison aDd suffered
his share of the early horrors of that
place, and retu.-let. to his native State
minus one good leg.
He was rewarded by permanent APP
pointment to this little light, and dur
ing bis many years of occupancy he has
developed that part Of Little Deer Is
land adjacent to the lighthouse.
The island is heavily wooded near the
water with fine growth of ever
greens, such as spruce, juniper, ETC.,
and deciduous trees are not very plenti-
full.
The houses, of which there are
twenty-five or thirty, are as unlike the
ordinary summer cottage as can be i'm
agined. All are different in color, con-
struction and trimming. but all abound
in piazzas, balconies, alcoves and cosy
hooks.
There are no kitchens, as all guests
take their meals at the large central
dining hall which is carried on under
the supervision of Mr.. and Mrs. Bah
son. Nearly all of the cottages are
owned by the captain, altho ugh within
a few years he has sold a number to
guests who desired to own cottages,
and he has also sold some lots and
erected cottages to suit the fancies of
the buyers.
Mrs. Frye, who was formerly Emma
Sheridan the actress, owns and occupies
beautiful red cottage in slightly posi-
ton. Here she rests from the literary
labors which occupy her life while in
the city.
Mrs. Rose, whose husband was a cele-
brated army surgeon, lives in her own
cottage of soft gray which stands on
an abrupt bluff about thirty feet from
the water Another handsome cottage
is owned by Miss Ransome of the Stand
ard Publishing company of Boston; an
other cosy one by Mrs. Hager of Chicago,
and still another, high on the steep hill,
by DR.. Waters Of the regular army.
Snrorol o&borc n ,a .oxx,,,od NV, 70