Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-10-08
FINDING BAR HARBoR.


AthAAS VI N1fABE ha1 &eaaA
carefully in little parcels many of the
simple herbs, more or less medicinal and
culinary, desired 10 visit Boston, and to
help out her expenses on the trip, she de-
ciied to take along a generous supply OF
the ''yarbs', as they we're commonly de-
signated by the simple folk of that then
sparsely settled village.
In the course of her efforts to dispose OF
these herbs she visited in Boston, the
Office Of Alpheas Hardy, one OF Bcsteu's
successful lawyers. Liking her pleasant
manner OF proceeding to business, and
fortunately having just finished bis days
lsbors, Mr.. Hardy drew from the woman
full account of her experience in this
line of business, and being fsyorably
drawn towards her by her simple and
honest way of expression, be learned that
as yet she had made no settled arrange
ments for staying in the city for the short
time she was TO spend there. lie recalled
that Mrs. Hardy was quite an advocate OF
using samples for many of the Ills Of
humanity. Ont of kindness OF heart as
much as any other motive he invited the
woman to accompany him TO his home
at the south end, where, he told her, she
would be sure to find good patron.
After an excellent supper, which was a
new and delightful experience to our
herb merchant, Mr.. Hardy and his kind
wife commenced TO look over the stock in
trade of which they bought very literally,
The conversation drifted round to the
place where they were secured. and at the
mention OF Eden" decidedly great in
terest was aroused in Mr.. Hardy
and his wife. Eden-was there still an
Eden on esrth9 There certainly was If
the description given by this honest,
kindly woman was keeping anywhere
within the limits o. truth.
The evening passed away and the inter-
est OF the Hardys was only partially salts
fed in so short time. The woman must
make her home with theu while in the
city and tell them mere OF this beautiful
island on which lowered thirteen noun
tain peaks, with wooded glens of surpris-
ing beauty; of walks and drives enchant-
rng in their lovaliness; OF myriads OF won
deriul rocks and caves and he&dlRnds and
coves, ard all the many attractions, known
then to so few. but which since have be-
come TO many hundreds OF thousands so
attractive and their influence so lasting.
In the early spring OF 1855, when ii was
seen that the cause OF the Confederscy was
about lost, many of the regiments whose
terms of enlistment were' expiring re-
turned home.
Among others to reach home were two
sons of AIpheus Hardy and, like thousands
Of others, they needed rest after a long
and hard campaign in war service at the
front.
As Mr.. Hardy was very wealthy, he
Lies vocation, TO give them a good long
rest and vacation to last many weeks into
the cool of autumn.
He and his wife decided tina; they would
all 10 to this "lsnd OF Eden" in which
they had so recently been led TO believe
especial opportunities for which they
sought were to be found.
The latter part of June be called at
Fosters wharf, Boston, and secured suite
Of the best staterooms on steamer Katah-
din (of which was at that time q clerk;
also room for pair of horses, barouche
and several packages of stores, etc.
Like the careful business man he was,
be made some inquiries in regard to Mt.
Desert. Fortunately he struck the right
person TO inform him, as my own father
WIS a native of Bar Harbor (his home be-
ing situated on the very spo, which be-
came the site OF the Agawam hotel, so de-
sirabie place that the Eastern railroad
early acquired il when 1t became evident
the Eden would be occupied by more than
two human beings, although the snake
would not be there). had never been
there, the spot In those days not being
very easy OF access.
Mr.. Hardy asked my opinion as to the
best route there and advised that he land |
at Bncksport, procure q good breakfast
for his horses at the hotel there, take the |
Ellsworth road, ride to that little city, |
pass little beyond that place and turn OF |
on the BIT. Desert road, cross the bridge TO |
the island and then a short drive to |
Bar Harbor.
These directions he followed, and early |
in the afternoon they arrived at their |
oEeAAEaAAOls NOV faS AecSAACh
of arranging for a season, the length of
which would depend on circumstances.
IL not agreeable, week; IL cheerful and |
two months or more. he |
easily found Capt. Stephen Higgins tby |
the way, a cousin OF my fatherl, who |
owned the newest and most attractive cot |
tsge in the settlement, and opened up |
negotiations which proved satisfactory. |
The only things lacking were beds Mr.. |
Hardy said that they would only be
too glad to enjoy sleeping on newly filled |
straw bed, and in very short time several
ticks had been filled with that article and
placed in some of the rooms of the cot
tage.
Arrangements were made for their
board, and Mfr. Hardy staid till Monday
when he got transportation back to