Subj: Chapter 2 Kate
Date: 4/13/00 11:24:59 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Karen

Chapter 2

Earl looked surprised. “Collins. eh? Never heard of any Collins from Oregon,” taking a look at Kate’s license plate. He didn’t look like he really believed her.

“Oh, it’s true, Earl. I am a Collins. My great-great-great-great-grandfather was born here in Collinsport. His name was Joseph Collins,” she replied.

Earl still looked puzzled. “Never heard of no Joseph Collins either,” he said. “Must be some byblow of the original Collins.” He smirked as he said this.

Kate looked at him with her most withering glare. “You are mistaken. Joseph was Joshua Collins’ brother. His full brother. He jumped a ship headed towards Africa when he was 15. Joseph never heard from his family again and they didn’t hear from him either. I am here to renew the old ties. Who is the head of the family now?” she asked.

“That would be Mrs. Elizabeth Collins-Stoddard. She runs the place while her brother Roger oversees the cannery. You figure on trying to cut into the family fortune?” Earl said with a leer. Kate was shocked. She never considered that situation. What if Elizabeth Stoddard thought that was why she was here? Kate was by no means rich; but with the settlement from her parents’ estate and careful living, she made ends meet quite nicely. Now that she had graduated from college with a master’s in American History, she had more money to help pay the bills. Kate’s needs were small; just a bit for food and clothing, gas for the van and an occasional foray into an antique bookshop. She stopped thinking when she noticed Earl holding out his hand. “That will be $5.00, Miss Collins,” he said. Kate passed him the money, thinking that it would only confuse him if she insisted that he call her “Ms.” Collins. Women’s Lib had definitely not arrived in Collinsport.

After getting directions from Earl, Kate pulled out of the station. She couldn’t help but wonder if this trip was such a brilliant idea after all. When she had found the letters addressed to Joshua Collins, Collinsport, Maine, in the old trunk, she was so excited. As an historian, old letters were like water to a dying man to her. As she read the contents of the letters, she wondered about the relationship between Joseph and his older brother, Joshua. It must be have been antagonistic to say the least. For a 15 year-old boy to leave home without a thought for those he left behind, was a tremendous undertaking. Joshua had made it clear to Joseph that he should never darken the Collins doorstep again. Kate had a picture in her mind of this impervious brother, sternly pointing to the door and shouting, “Out!” and never thinking about his younger brother again. The first letter, dated April, 1790, said:

12 April 1790

Dear Joshua,

I feel the need to apologize to you about what happened fifteen years ago. I felt trapped in the life you had set forth for me. Working for you seemed terribly strict and unyielding. I wanted to go my own way and I have. After arriving in Africa, I traveled across the continent, meeting many new and unusual people. I made my way to Egypt and saw the Great Pyramids. Tell Jeremiah they were the most breath-taking things I have ever seen. From Egypt, I went to Italy, where I lived in a little village for a year, painting everything I saw. From there to Germany, and France. I came to England one year ago today. My wife, Anne, our two sons, Jeremiah and Joshua and our daughter, Marianne live in the Lake District, near Lake Buttermere.

It is a peaceful life. I paint the beauty of the hills and lakes; which are sent to London to be sold. I make a good living with my paintings, so my family wants for nothing.

If you cannot forgive me, I am sorry. Please give my love to Naomi, Jeremiah, Abigail, and little Barnabas; who probably isn’t little anymore.

As always,
Your brother,
Joseph Collins
Dyonside Cottage
Windermere
Cumbria, England

For some reason, this and other letters were never sent. Kate did not know if Joseph regretted his decision to write or what happened. The letters were written on regular intervals, but not sent. It was a mystery, which Kate did not have an answer to. Perhaps the hurt was too great, but he still wanted to write to his estranged brother, never daring to send them for fear of rejection. She hoped that the Maine Collins family would have some answers to this and other questions tumbling around in her brain.

Kate pulled up the imposing gates to Collinwood and shut off her engine. “Okay, its now or never”, she told herself. She started the van again and drove up to the house. It was much larger than she had expected. “Oh, boy,” she said, “this could be tough. Elizabeth will probably take one look at me and take me for a tramp. Oh, well, they will have to take me for who I am.”

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, she knocked on the great house door.

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.