New-York tribune., 1902-02-16

capped. 1t hardly possible that he climbed out
hut they could find no other solution of the mys-
Fishtil has several reasons for herring the
tale of Crosbys double escape. The Dutch churCh
street of the village to-day, and services are still
held there The house in the shadow of the noun
tans which Jay used headquarters has been
only slightly altered. 1t is now comfortable
white paint; \ whining ring, to, which many de- de-
serting soldiers hung by their thumbs %hil@ . Lhe
cred in cutting down hig black walnut tree.
Enoch Crosby is beyond doubt the character on
whom J; Fonimoro Cooper based his novel, The
hunted him when he longer useful to the
secret service ana fought ihG0ugn p&HT' & % Gi the ne
liked nothing better than 10 recount his exploits
a spy.
The Dutch congregations of Poughkeepsie and
Fishkill faced "A serious problem when Dominic
Iacohus Van Mist was sent to preach the Word
from their high box pulpits They did not know
where TO lodge the minister OF course. ther" WAS
the parsonage at PouEhkeepse. hut the new dom
inic unmarried. and ii was out of the question
for him keep house Although this was as early
lbs PouGhkecpsie h0astod a tavern, the Van
K,cck House. but it was no place for a parson.
For the first few weeks he visited around among
the congregation and there was great relief when
Paul Schank the storekeepor. offered to take the
dominic into his comfortable home one of the big
bedrooms in the front Of the house. which, like
the other rooms. had a Sanded floor and ceiling
with the beams showing. was turned into a study.
and boasted of the luXures Of rocking chair and
bookcase which had been brought from Manhat-
by sloop at no little expense.
Dominic Van Mist only twenty-four years old,
had just completed his religious training under
the pastors Of the Dutch churches in New York.
His sermons were considered wonderful, in view
of these limitations and soon great crowds came to
the churches for the morning service which was
held at Poughkeepsie one Sunday and at Fishkill
the next.
Farmers came in heavy wagons, in which they
sat with their wives in chairs taken from their
houses. Their slaves had 10 be content with such
protection from the jOlting bundles Of straw
could afford Young men rode horseback with their
swcethearts seated pion behind. for in those
good days every had sweetheart whom he
made his wife he able Those who
lived near the church walked along the road. and
chatted with those who rode. Before and after
meeting they gathered in little talkatve groups in
front of the church
1t not long before they had most interest
ing subject Peter Schank's daughter Rebekah
a beautiful girl. and the villagers had seen
her taking long walks along the river with the
dominic.
Don't you think they are in love-" one of the
girls would ask. You should have seen them yes
terday talking together in the garden"
"Rebekah will be a lucky girl If she gets the
dominic added another. Hes the best looking
parson I ever have seen"
Hes the ore that's lucky" said young man.
'Rebekah is the prettiest girl in this town"-which
was treason, and made the girls toss their heads
She Will make fine wife for the dominic" was
comment frequently made. mo lead the
singing better"
If he'd spend more time on his sermons de-
ciared woman who had never married and less
on that silly girl mis- sermons would be better"
y year passed, and the congregation still
asking Are they in love?" and 'Wil he ever
marry herr" Rebekah had asked herself this last
question more than once During the long winter
he spent much Of his time teaching her common
branches, in which she made rapid progress OF
love he had said nothing yet.
When June made the country beautiful Van Mist
asked her to accompany him on his semi monthly
trip to Fishkill and early one morning they set
out on a strong horse the girl riding the plion
behind him. 1t all day ride and tresomc.
IN spite Of the beauty Of the forest through which
the road ran and the mountains which they
through breaks in the woods They stopped that
night with John Brinckerhoff in a house which is
still standing.
A full realization of his feeling for Rebekah
came TO him that night he revising his
sermon. He started by chiding himself for giving
so much Of his time to her. Then the
with self swung around until ne decided that this
was wrong only because he had not the right
devote himself to her and the determination to
speak was reached.
Sermons Of fifteen twenty minutes would not
have been tolerated. The dominic who could not
preach an hour without stopping dominic
at all. Then there were many pastoral calls
make, for on Monday he would have to hasten
away to hold a prayer meeting in barn at New
Hackensack, some distance up the valley. He had
20 time that day to speak. but on the next, after