The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-05-16
A Centennial Story
of 1913
By ARTHUR TROWBRIDCE


nine,eenth century that young man
and IA gin were walking on one OF the
beaches of the New Jersey coast not
far south of New York city. That
region is now taken up with summer
residences and hotels. but it was then
desolate ocean shore, inhabited only
by country people who dwelt there all
the year round. That the pair strolling
on the beach were lovers was evident,
for at times they walked hand In hand
and at times the mans arm enclrcled
the girls waist. They were soon to
be married and were talking over their
plans.
The young man, Edgar Hart. was
to go the next day to New York to
take business position: the girl.
Dorothy Ten Eyck. was to begin prep
arations for her marriage. which was
to take place in Il few weeks. 1t was
dusk when they finished their walk,
Edgar Hart starting to walk north
ward to his home, mile away; Doro-
thy Ten Eyck to 20 to her fathers
house up on the bluff. short distance
back Of the beach. On the way she
passed the house Of Mother Van Gaas
back. who stood in the door.
tits bad luck for you. Dorothy" said
the old woman. that you've taken up
with Edgar Hart. who is going to the
city, where he'll meet finer birds than
you. You'll not see him again in these
parts"
"You will prove false prophet.
Mother Gaasback. Edgar is true as
steel"
Just wait and see." replied the other.
and turning her back on the girl. who
was struggling to repress tears at the
malicious thrust. she went into the
house.
Edgar had agreed to POST letter to
his sweetheart as soon as 1t would be
convenient for him to do so after reach
ing the city. He was to start at day
light the next morning and hoped tn
reach New York by evening. IF he
wrote the next day Dorothy might get
letter from him by the post on the
fourth day after he left her.
The morning after their parting Dor
othy stole away from home to go to
the place where Edgar had given her
his last kiss. She reached the edge OF
the bluff and stood looking down on
the ocean. The crew Of British YES
sci anchored not far from the shore
was making preparations for sailing.
She was mnn-of-war. and had the
couple not been absorbed In each other
the evening before they would have
noticed her standing down the cOast
from the direction Of New York. Dor
othy saw man ON the deck waving
something white. but only for mo.
Join those engaged In hosting the sails.
Dorothy surmised that sailor seeing
woman on the shore was inclined to
salute her. The ship sailed away.
When the fourth day after Edgar's
departure came round rhe post rider
left no letter for Dorothy. She was
sure one would come for her the next
day, but she was again disappointed.
When a week had passed and no let
ter came Dorothy was much troubled.
Passing the house Of Mother Ten Eyck.
the old woman called to her. asking
what word she had heard from Edgar.
and Dorothy was obliged to say that
she had not heard at all.
II didn't think he'd 60 back on you
so sOon." said Mother Ten Eyck,
"Well. you'd better choose some young
man who is content to stick to the plow
and not waste your time waiting for
one who is ambitious to become Cit.
fed"
Dorothy, stung to the quick, was
about to hurl the words back at the
old woman. but repressed the impulse
and, turning her back. went her way.
Weeks. months passed and no word
came from Edgar Dorothy was toe
proud to seek him, but ut last one Of
the neighbors, who had business In New
York. when there went to the place
where Edgar was to have been en-
ployed and learned that the young man
had not appeared according to appoint
ment. When Dorothy heard this she
was filed with forebOdings worse than
her distress ut being neglected. She
feared that her lover had been muir.
dered
"He went away To get rid of her,"
said Mother Ten Eyck. He never In
tended to stop In New York. He's
gone back to his folks IN England"
Every one except Dorothy accepted
this explanation. But Dorothy had
faith In her lover. she told Of having
seen man on ship wave to her the
day after Edgar's departure, and this
was interpreted by her neighbOrs IL
mean n farewell from her lover to her
Eighteen months passed. when one
day the missing man walked into Dor
othy's home. alive and well and caught
her up in his arms.
This was his story. The night he
left Dorothy. while walking on the
beach, he saw boat approaching.
When it touched the shore half doz-
Ell men sprang ont. took him forcibly
into the boat and out to Il ship that had
just dropped her anchor. He had been
captured by press gang for the Brit
ish navy.
The next morning he saw Dorothy
on the beach and tried TO attract her