Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-11
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reached
touched bel-puil and rang loud peal, the jangle
Of which reached even ms d da owav whom nomr-
| one nortiv nersonage entered the waiting ROOM
Eddy recognized him at first glance as DR..
He was hard-faced man, past middle age, with
| kann eyes a low forehead, cleanly shaver flee,
rendered peculiarly unpleasant by sanctimonious
| expression which contrasted strangely with his
| sinister features. The Doctor had formerly kept
| private insane asylum in New Jersey, but he mad
fallen into an illrepute, and it having been proved
against him that sane people had been ncarcerated
in his gloomy cells, he had been obliged TO abandon
that field of operations and bad re-established his
asylum at Riyerton on the Hudson. He had now
been at RivertoL some years, and was regarded in
the village as an upright and honorable man, hav-
ing, it seemed, left his former reputation behind
him when he changed his residence.
"Ah, Eddy Burns" exclaimed the Doctor, in his
mild, bland voice, extending his hand, "How do
you do, Eddy How you grow! Glad to see you,
But Eddy did not seem to see the Outstretched
hand He certainly did not offer to take it. There
was a frOwn on his brows, and his lids were set to.
gether in an expression which would have rendered
the smiling Doctor uneasy had he seen 1t upon
an older face.
ii have heard from Mr.. Burgoyne that my mother
is herr" the BOY said calmly. 81 have come to see
her, DIR. Bullet
The expression on the Doctors face changed to
one of uneasness which, swiftly as it passed, was
ayes, ah, yes,b said the Doctor, smoothly. "You
have come to see your mothers Very laudable-
must refuse your request Mrs. Burgoyne is in
| a critical state. The least excitement such as
the sight of you might occasion her, might prove
| fatal"
"Would she know meH" asked Eddy.
81 think not. She is raving maniac-knows no
one-has attempted to commit suicide But the
sight of you might strike chord of memory, and
1 would not dare to risk 1t. All. this Is a terrible
affection to Mrs Burgoyne's friends, my lad"
"YOu think, then, Doctor ne asked "that 1t
| would excite my mother, if she were to see mev'
Think l know it. She might tear you to
piecesW
| 81 cannot think So Doctor" declared Eddy.
Gwen in her madness, she would not harm me-"
| "My Judgment must decide the matter Master
Burns" SAID the doctor stifiy.
| 81 beg your pardon, doctor, said Eddy, humbly
enough; "but beg you to let me look in upon her
through the grating at her door, won't speak a
at is impossible, Master Burns"
"0h, don't say that" cried Eddy. III am all she
| has in the wide world, doctor"
"She has her husbandi'
| Eddy made gesture of despair.
"She don't love him as she loves me- he said"
| "You don't know how she loves me, sir. She has
| she married Mr.. Burgoyne because she thought
| he would be father to me. My heart is breaking
| to see her!"
~ regret, Master burns"
| "You refuse thenr cried the bov 81 tell you 1
must see her! My father left her IN my care. am
| her protector"
'MIr. Burgoyne" said the doctor, dis her guardian
| now, and the only one can recognize. Go home
to your stepfather. Your mother is in good hands,
| and you can do no good in hanging about in this
| highly improper style"
| Eddy felt insulted, but he could not abandon his
project without last endeavor to effect it.
| "a am only boy. Doctor Bullet" he said, "but
| / know there must be some one in the land more
| powerful than you who can permit me to my
mother. Twill see lawyer
THAT is big talk for boy of your size," sneered
| the doctor. "Your mother was committed to my
| asylum in accordance with the law made and pro.
vded for such cases. Any lawyer will tell you that
| no one can give permit to see a mad woman, when
| her nh Vsician declares she must he SpcUupdpi
Eddy felt the hopelessness of his case. He had No
| powerful friendship money. And he felt sure that
hr. BurgOyne and DIR. Bullet were his enemies, and
that some terrible mystery was connected with his
| mother
al am only boy, DOCTOR" said Eddy at last, sor.
r0wfuly, but with brave look shining in his eyes,
'but have mans courage. You may hear from
| me again."
He bowed gravely and went out.
| With a heavy heart, he moved down the gravelled
| walk to the gate.
he had nearly reached the iron gates, and was
moving with lettering step, when he looked back
| at the grim asylum. No on was looking out at him.
Taking advantage ofthe opportunity thus afforded,
Eddy slipped into by-path, and sought the shelter
of some shrubbery near the wall. Aere he flung
himself upon the ground, to wait patiently the
coming of darkness.
It was now about six O'Clock of the long summer
afternoon.
How the twilight fingered! Eddy, peering out
saw of the keepers lock the great iron gates al
an early hour, but the old town clock at Rfverton
had struck the hour of ten before the lights and
the noises had died out of the asylum.
II was nearly eleven O'Clock, when Eddy, Cramped
and tired, crept out from his eOncealment.
He moved slowly around the building again and
again, scanning tine upper windows No light
cleaned from them, no sound of life, save now
and then moan, came from within those dreary
| cells.
"Can it be she is not up there?" thought the boy
cold sweat starting to mis- brow Can they have
| put her into dungeon?'
Around and around the building he slowly cir
cled, wild prayerin his heart that if his mother
were in one Of the upper rooms some providental
| impulse might lead her to look out.
His prayer was answered. He who answers pray
er directed her restless steps to her grated window
slender figure suddenly appeared, a pair of hands
| were casped upon the window ledge, and a pale
face, half hidden by mass of floating hair was
pressed against the iron bars looking upward at the
| glowing star-lIt sky.
Eddy7s heart gave one throb, and through his
pale lips quivered the words:
any motherp
The vision fingered but a moment at the open
| window, then Withdrawing itself. At its disap-
| pearance Eddy sprang up.
"She did not look dangerously mad" he whis.
pered. 81 must see heT-speak TO her"
He dared not call to her, and bring discovery I'D.
| on him. He must work quietly.
Marking the window at which the vision had ap.
peared, he that one of the heavy branches of a
| tall pine-tree swept close against its bars
| He crept to the tree, climbing its trunk like a
| squirrel, and gaining the shelter of its densest
branches. He was soon upon a level with the
second story Of the asylum.
moment more and he was clingiug to the low
| est bar of the window.
What sight it was that met his gaze within!
| small, whitewashed cell, that might have be
onged to prison. An open grating In the door
and the sound of footballs in the corridor told Eddy
that supervision was exercised over the inmates b.
night as well as by day.
| In the narrow cell woman was kneeling at he
prayers. The soft starlight drlfted in upon her
She looked sad, but the fair noble face had in it M
token of unthroned intellect.
| perhaps she has quiet spells" thought Eddy
| scarcely yenturing to breathe. "Mr Bnrgoyne ant
the doctor said she was a 'raving maniac.6 How am
to attract her attention without alarming the sen
| He moved upon the branch. The rustline aroused
| the kneeling woman, and she raised her head The
next moment her head dropped again, lower than
| before.
Eddy, .grasping the bar with one hand, softly tap
ped ON the window ledge.
In tan instant the head was uplifted, with the
| eagerness of startled deer.
Eddy gently raised his head within view.
"Mother!' he called softly-so softly that his voicC
might have been taken for the murmur of the wind
Mother! Hush! 1t is I-Eddy!'
The whispered words of Eddy penetrated to the
hearing of the inmate of the lonely prison cell
She started to her feet and looked wildly around
81 must be gong mad indeed" she murmured
pressing her hands above her heart if to still it
throbblngs.
Again the boys fingers tapped softly upon tn,
lowest grating, and again Eddys voice called soft
ly:
Mother Its really I-yOur own Eddyl Com,
A low cry broke from the lips of Mrs. Burns
Then she pressed her face close against the rough
iron bars.
The boy shrank back among the brar ches
| Eddy! Oh, Eddy Are you here?"
81 am here, mother!' he said. Don't cry out
or some one will hear u.s."
he erept nearer to her, and pressed his fac
against the bars, his cheek touching hers.
she caught at Eddy's hand; she kissed his quiv
ering lips again and again
80 my brave boy!' she whispered. ~ never ex
| pected to see you again"
Poor mother" said Eddy. "You might hay
known would come TO you ii they had taken yoi
| to MaGagascarr The above we publish A. a sraci
men chapter; but the continuation ~ this stor
VIII be found in the New York Ledger. ask for fhi
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