Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-04-18
-UDY'S SEARCH; :so
Is gasdspr9 ss5s Or .sai& K ii aia.
A Brave Boys Battle.
DR.. BULLETS PRIVATE RETREAT

1t was early in june, 1851. In one
the small, neatly furnished rooms Of goo
Mrs. Brieriy's boarding. house, at Poagl
keepsie, was seated our hero, Eddy Burns
He was fair and handsome lad, fifteel
years Of age, with bright blue eyes, a no
bic forehead, fair hair, and resolute mouth
He was brave boy, first in his class a
school, and distinguished for his generosit,
and kindness of heart.
His home was at Riverton, some mile
further up the river, but he was studen
at Poughkeepsie, and it was now severa
weeks since he had seen his home and his
His geography lay unheeded on his
knees as he wove his boyish plans: how
he would achieve wealth and fame, and
make his mother proud of him.
He was only aroused from his reverie
by the entrance OF Mrs. Briefly. She held
up two letters.
From home, guess, Eddy" she said.
Eddy's face glowed as he sprang up,
receiving the letters.
..Irs about time / had letter from
mother" he exclaimed. lone is from
her. Who can have written the other ?
I'll read mothers first, any how"
.I1l just stay to hear if Mrs. Burns is
well, !. remarked Mrs. Briefly. GLOW is
she ?"
The boy tore open the smaller of the
two envelopes, and hurriedly perused his
mothers letter.
And as he read the glow faded from his
face, the smile from his lips. He read the
letter to its close, and looked up at Mrs.
Briefly with an expression OF unutterable
grief.
what is it,, Eddy ?" she questioned
anxiously.
The lad replied only by moan.
"Dead?' cried Mrs. Briefly.
Eddy shook his head.
"Not dead" he sobbed, I" but it's almost
the same You can read the letter, Mrs.
Briefly. Oh, my mother. my mother
He sobbed aloud.
Mrs. Briefly caught up the letter from
the floor to which it had fallen.
Itran as follows:'
.RIyERToN ON HUDSON, June 10, 1851.
my DARLING Son: You must have
wondered that have not permitted your
usual weekly visits home for the past
month, and that ! have written to you less
frequently than usual. am about to write
you an explanation.
Three years ago your father aud l
were the happiest couple in Riverton. We
lived in our own house, a pretty little villa
overlooking the river, and your father
owned his factory which was near. The
failure of an extensive firm with which
nay poor husband was connected hurled us
down to poverty.
About the time OF my husbands fail
ure, the California gold excitement be-
came fever in our vicinity. A success
full miner returned TO Riverton from the
land of gold. and for days portion of his
wealth was displayed in our bankers VIM
dow in the shape OF huge gold brick.
Your father. smarting under his reverses,
conceived the idea of going to California,
and five years ago he went.
.'Hart Burgoyne furnished him money
for his venture. 1t was to the care of
Hart Burgoyne my husband and your IA
father commended us in the hour of his
departure. 1t was Hart Burgovne who
attended him to New York, who paid his
passage, and whose friendly face he last
saw before setting out upon that Inflated
voyage.
"You know, Eddy, that your father died
of fever in California, within week of
his landing at San Francisco.
"Hart Burgoyne was my lover, that l
rejected for your father, but he was your
fathers truest friend, and has never borne
me malace because l preferred another
to him. He has lately renewed his suit to
me, and urges me to become his wife. He
has offered to make you his heir.
"You know how poor am, Eddy. l
have not the strength to work as 1 used.
am anxious that you should obtain an
education. In short, Eddy, l have con-
sented to marry Mr.. Burgoyne. 1t is for
yonr sake my boy. Do not believe that
any one can come between us-you and
me. / respect Mr.. Burgoyne-I honor
and esteem him, but have told him that
l have no love to give him. My heart is
with you, dear Eddy, and with my lost
Richard. That first love was the great
love Of my lite.
1--WE are to be married this morning
within an hour. would have sent for
you, but Mr.. Burgoyne thought had bet
ter not. We are to be married quietly in
my little cottage parlor, and we will then
walk up together to the villa to which
your father took me as his bride.
''Come home to us on Saturday. Come
with light heart and smiling face
Always your loving mother, though now
for the last time write my name
JULIA BURNS"
Mrs. Briefly read this letter through.
At its conclusion, she exclaimed:
Il don't see anything to fret at, Eddy.
One would think your mother was dead.
What is the matter3 Don't you like Mr..
BurgoyneP"
Mono ~ cried Eddy, with shudder.
land he don't like me-"
Whats done can't be undone,' contin-
ued Mrs. Briefly. I'd make the best of
the matter"
81 will make the best of it, Mrs. Brier-
~" returned Eddy. "Poor mother !. She
married Mr.. Burgoyne for my sake, and
she shall never know that her marriage
has cost me pang."
Eady took up the second letter, opened
ana read II aloud, while upon his coun-
tenance slowly gathered an expression of
The second letter was from Hart Bur-
goyne:
# "RIvERToN, June - 1871
MASTER EDWARD BURNS: IA Won
will understand by the letter ur;t,a, -