New-York tribune., 1902-07-14
BEA U7YFUL SHEET OF WA TER.
THE LAKE AT RONKONKOMA SUR
ROUNDED By SEA SAND.


Is Ronkonkoma. 1t is said to be in the centre of
the island. though with such inirresular body of
land that may seem rather indefinite The chef
attraction Of the place is its lake. This is
three miles in circumference, and has not
single island to break the smoothness Of its
surface On the northern and southern sides the
sand shores show white against the silver OF the
water. All the shore, for that matter. Is made up
of this genuine sand. which for wide distance
Stimulating the theory that all this part of Long
remarkable sight 10 the banks of fresh water
western Shores s. rise TO a considerable height and
except where they have been cleared for lawns are
thickly covered with oak, hickory and pine trees
ON the northern side great water lily swamp eX-
LOT tbe Whoe sbor line have been built the
boat and bathing houses of the people who dwell
Some of these cottages are beautiful summer
meme are ana b5 y behSa gS or the trees Which have been al
lowed remain from the original forest: In the
not be imagined than that presented on the lake
Here and there from the Htte docks row @ PoSts % sG
the crew is made up of fishermen rowing ceases
1apt 1ar Of tbe Evening is begun The hours pass by
quickly In easy conversation and smoking The
the still. siivery waters 4 fsh springs out of the
water there and Is gone before ~ 6 his aR beT nd
makes supper of his catch of insects. A distant
only intensity the quietness. Then the deepeniins
shadows the last bite short pull TO the moorihs
No wonder city men reyel in such delight ana ana
Gesss no Of noy s sEe R G sGtS an the
mortais with keen perception OF tne apPropris1. s
to seifS the 'hsm name eP&oRf of RonKonkoms ft%S '
This was the name of the gentle daughter of the
great Sachem Setauket who ruled these parts with
great power and dignity. Chance brought youus
PIesence of tRs besutifui Ronkonkoma
at first sight seems 70 nave been tne teSt it
stern refusal from the great chief and no Hncef-
tain advice to leave the neishoorhood- So
"on connetquot's bank in his log built cot,
Ixf
For sympathy longing. Hugh lovingly lists
To the river moan and the SAD sea sigh
A PRETTY INDIAN ROMANCE.
The Connetquot is a little river not far from the
lake TO which there was once thought to be an
underground passage for Ronkonkoma has no vhsl-
BILE outlet Any object placed in the lake would ft
was thought work it's way out to the Connetquot
So on the banks of this stream Hugh Birdsah
pined seven long years for his Indian maiden But
they did not pass without many tokens OF Ron
konkoma's regard for him; In spite OF all ths
to strengthen his power by wise matrimonial All.
anGe in spite ot all & the % faithful TO
her first love- and would think of no other The
The story ~! soes that She would send love gifts to
Birdsall through this passage Finally. one evening
reward of affection true aud tried. he would nave
watchsd the 4 river. and Watched with great i'm
patience and yearning. Then he saw Ronkonkoma
lovely to his eager eyes-but dead. Then without
a moments hesitation, 'SWltt INTO the sklH uy neF
side leaps Hugh" and together they float down TO
sea and out ON the broad bay, beyond the points
of land beyond the hars, beyond the distant hori-
zon. nevermOre seen Of men. 1"is is one of the
stories OF Ronkonkoms.
Another is that in the early twilight OF the morn
ing her ghostly self can be seen padding about In
her canoe searching everywhere for her lost lover
Other Indian stories abound, and make excellent
texts for story tellers. This in reality place
thckly inha bited by Indians To this day IL Is
easy business go out at almost any spot and
pick up a number of arr0wheads and spearheads.
while larger relics not nfrequently come upon
The Indian mounds also points Of interest to
The curious.
one of the places that afford great deal OF pride
10 the natives is the workshop OF the Warmers.
This for many generations has been the spot where
the entire supply OF brass tubes for microscopes,
telescopes. levels and surveying instruments in this
country has been manufactured, and manufa actured
by hand. The present Mr. Warner Is Just at this
time completing a large order for the tubes. He Is
the last of family that has handed down this
business for over two centuries. Some of the tools
he still works with than two hundred
years old. and the draw bench he served his
great grandfather In England The work requires
great deal OF accuracy. precision and patience
the qualities which have so wonderfully gained and
kept this remarkable trade.
The season is OF course. well advanced here. The
Lake View Hotel was open during the last winter.
so that II did not have TO undergo the trials OF
strenuous preparation for the summer The last
Few days nave been very warm. Sailing and swim
ming have accordingly been the favorite forms OF