Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1913-05-16
Centennial Story
of 1873
By ARTHUR TROWBRlDCE

IL was uuIulb NhS N"J f'>''
nineteenth century that young man
and girl 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 1t was then
a 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 encircled
the girls waist They were soon to
be married and were talking over their
plans,
The young man. Edgar Hart, was
70 20 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 few weeks. II was
dusk when they finished their walk.
Edgar Hart starting to walk north
ward to his home. mile away; Doro-
thy Ten Eyck to go 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
"Its 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 a letter to
his sweetheart as soon as it 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 to
reach New York by evening. II 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 a man-ofwar, 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 a man on the deck waving
something white. but only for a mo
ment, since an officer ordered him tC
Join those engaged in hosting the sails
Dorothy surmised that a sailor seeint
woman on the shore was inclined Il
salute her. The ship sailed away.
When the fourth day after Edgar''
departure came round the post ride
left no letter for Dorothy. She wal
sure one weuld come for her the mex
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 Eycs
the old woman called to her, askinI
what word she had heard from Edgar
and Dorothy was obliged 10 say tina
she had not heard at all
81 didn't think he'd go back on 20
80 soon," said Mother Ten EycA
"Well. you'd better choose some youn
man who Is content to stick to the ploN
and not waste your time waiting 10
one who is ambitious to become cit
fed."
Dorothy, stung to the quick. wa
about to hurl the words back at th
old woman. bur repressed the impuls
and. turning her back. went her way
Weeks. months passed aud no wor
came from Edgar Dorothy was to
proud "a seek him. but at last one
I ! thu nelghbors. who had business In Net