The Final Days and Nights of Sarah Collins.
Sarah sat sunning herself when she saw her elder brother walk out,
mount his horse and ride towards town to the shipyards. Jumping up
Sarah scurries into the house having remembered she had forgotten
Samantha her doll in her room. With deliberate quiet steps Sarah pads
softly by the master bedroom where the little girl knows her parents are
still.
Barnabas was the only one other than herself to rise early to take care
of his shipyard duties or he would surely face their Father's rath for
being lazy.
Before passing the large doors Sarah stops. She listens at the door
after hearing her name spoken. "It will be done Naomi, and you shall
not stop it, do you understand." Sarah wonders why her parents always
spoke as if they did not like one another, but Sarah knew in her heart
that Joshua, her Father loved her Mother Naomi. "I have no intention of
stopping it Joshua, but I do hope you will explain it to me further...
Sarah is just a little girl, why must we even think of whom she will
marry now, she must grow up first." Sarah jumps as her Father stomps
his foot. "With Barnabas' marriage so close and with cousin's Daniel
and Millicent arriving soon I merely thought that Sarah and Daniel could
be made to spend more time together, I also have made it clear to
Jeremiah that it would be advantageous for him to court Millicent... Our
family will remain strong only if we keep the money and blood line
within the family.
Sarah did not understand what her Father was so angry about, she liked
cousin Daniel very much and remembered her visits to New York fondly.
Proceeding to her room Sarah searches for her beloved doll Samantha.
After searching her room Sarah lies on her bed, feeling sad at not
finding the pretty little doll, a gift from Barnabas. Soon she falls
asleep.
Suddenly Sarah wakes at the sound of some one moaning in pain. Going
to her window Sarah watches in fright as her father sends a heavy blow
to the back of on of the servants. Sarah gasps as the crack of the whip
lands again and again... Sarah begins to weep.
Passing her room Barnabas sees his young sister standing by the window,
he instantly knows what is happening. Entering her room Barnabas asks.
"Sarah come away from the window, that is not something you should be
watching.
Sarah turns to her Brother. "Who is that Barnabas, why is Father
punishing him." Barnabas takes his little sister by her hand and guides
her away from the window, helping her to the large chair that is by her
bed, Barnabas goes down to one knee. "Unfortunately it's Ben Stokes,
he made the mistake of trying to carry a large bundle of wood, of course
when Father came out he startled poor Ben and a large piece of wood hit
Father on his leg." Sarah hugs Barnabas tightly. "What's wrong Sarah,
is something else bothering you." "I can't find her Barnabas, I've
looked and looked, where can she be." Barnabas does not understand
Sarah's secret plight.
Holding his hand to Sarah's cheek Barnabas responds. "Whom are you
looking for Sarah." With moist eyes Sarah replies. "Samantha."
Barnabas smiles, with a soft kiss to her forehead he rises up, then
sweeps his arm under Sarah's pillows. "Ha! I think I've found someone."
With the quick moves of a magician Barnabas brings the little doll from
under Sarah's pillows. "Samantha" Sarah exclaims. Giving Sarah her
doll back made Barnabas feel like her champion.
Walking to the door the upstairs maid enters the room. "I've come to
make up the little misses room sir." Barnabas nods to her. "Oh could
you please make sure that Sarah is dressed in the morning, she has been
in her nightdress and robe all morning... I understand she wakes
early... so you must also. " With a courtesy the maid answers. "Yes
sir."
Later that afternoon as Sarah walks past Barnabas' room she hears
Barnabas speaking to someone, peeking her head in she sees the servant
Ben sitting in a chair, Ben's head resting on his hands while Barnabas
administers ointment to his severely cut back. Sarah walks in, placing
her hand on Ben's arm she says. "I'm sorry Father hurt you.
Ben sees her, he reaches out his arm. "Please miss Sarah I-I don't
want you to see me like this." Ben winces in pain. Barnabas gives
Sarah an annoyed glance. "Sarah please leave us." Sarah tries to
understand, but does as she is told. Barnabas continues to doctor Ben's
wounds.
To Be Continued.
The Ghost of Sarah Collins (1784-1795)
Sister to Barnabas Collins
"That evil is wicked is well understood,
the wicked are punished so you must be good."
(Sarah to Barnabas)
Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis production.
(Just got over a very bad flu.)
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