Drift from Two Shores

"Drift from Two Shores" by Bret Harte is a compilation of tales set in the 1800s that journeys into the complexities of loneliness, who we are, and the links between people. The initial story focuses on James North, a man cut off from others, residing near a river leading to the sea. Haunted by a romance from long ago, North lives in self-imposed separation, pushing himself further away from others. Inside his remote cabin, James North broods over his past and a lost love, until family arrives, worried about his way of living and keen to bring him back into society. But, North is deeply rooted in his memories and independent spirit, so he turns down their offers. This event shows his inner fight and how much his memories mean to him, kicking off a wider look into feelings throughout "Drift from Two Shores".