The Portland daily press., 1871-04-13

"Some dreauIui ny n1oto, p,,I
must know what it isl NOW III -'''
let'sp ,,;,,oca of R,varton
lonely country road, stood DIR. Bullets
nrivate asylum for the insane; i
IT, Grounds were separated from the road
49,, h;Sh stone-wall. The house-square,
Sree stories in height, built of red brick, and
irhted within by narrow, grated windows
was some distance from the road, in the
midst OF small piue grove, which screened
he asy lum from the curious glances of casual
The double iron gates were open upon this
bright June afternoon, and Eddy passed I'M
into the grounds, and, with sink
ing heart. he assembled the steps of the high
porch and rang the door bell loudly.
Presently the bolts securing the-d0or upon
the inner side were withdrawn. and coarse
looking fellow, one of the keepers of the insti-
tuition evidently, presented himself.
. "Well,what's wanted?" demanded this per-
son roughly. Az ...s. /
81 wish to see DR.. Bullet" replied Eddy.
"To see DR.. Bullet, Ell? The Doctors busy.
He's got no time to waste on boys"
The keeper made movement to shut the
door in Eddy's face. AS quick as fash, the
boy slipped across the threshold and into the
hall.
'Tell DR.. Bullet desire to see him, T" he
said cody. f" shall stay here until do see
him. You can give him my name-Edward
Burns. sly .i....-
Burns" repeated the discounted keeper.
"Burns, eh? Well, I'll tell the Doctor. See
ing you're inside, you can step into the recep-
ton ROOM" .'.'--.-
He closed, bolted and barred the outer
door, and sullenly ushered Eddy into small
dreary waitiDg-room at one side of the hall.
He then hurried away in quest of the Doctor.
Nearly half an hour elapsed before any one
appeared. Now and then muffied shrek or
long-drawn moan reached bis ears. lErf 1-set
Unable to bear longer the suspense of wait
ing, he touched belpull and rang loud
peal, the jangle of which reached even his
ears. toli........
The noise had scarcely died away when
pompous, portly parsonage entered the wait.
ing room. siIf........
Eddy recognized him at first glance as DR..
Bullet a p. ~ s-its.'.-'...
He was hard-faced man, past middle-a age,
with keen eyes, a low forehead, Clearly
shaven face, rendered peculiarly unpleasant
by sanctimonlous expression which con-
trasted strangely with his sinister features.
The Doctor had formerly kept a private in
sane asylum in New Jersey, but he had fallen
into an ill-repute, and it having been proved
against him that sane people had been incar-
cerated in bis gloomy cells, he had been
obliged to abandon that field of operations,
and had re established his asylum at Riverton
on the Hudson. He had now been at River
ton some years, and was regarded IN the viii
lage as an upright andlhonorable man, having,
it seemed, LETT his former reputation behind
him when he changed his residence.
"Ah, Eddy Burnsw exclaimed the Doctor,
in his mild, bland voice, extending his hand.
To- do IL IuC
Glad TO see you my fine fellow" % .-......
But Eddy did not seem to see the out
stretched hand. He certainly did not offer to
take it. There was frown on his brows, and
his lips were set together in an expression
which would have rendered the smiling Doc
tor uneasy had he seen it upon an older face
81 have heard from Mr.. Burgoyne that my
mother is here" the boy said calmly. shave
come to see he", DIR. Bullet"
The expression on the Doctors face chang
ed to one of uneasiness, which swiftly as il
passed, was not unnOticed by Eddy. r.,rT -
Eyes, alb, yes" said the Doctor smoothly
You have come to see your mother? Very
laudable-very. am sorry though, Master
Burns, that must refuse our request. Mrs
Bursoyne is in critical state. The least ex.
element, such as the sight OF you might oc
casion her, might prove fatal" IN
"Would she know me ?" asked Eddy.
81 think not Sne is raving maniac
knows no one-kas attempted to commit sui
eide. But the sight of you might strike a
chord of memory, and should not dare to
risk it. All, this is terrible affection to Mrs
Burgoyne's friends, my lad" g
"You think, then, Doctor" he asked, shat
it would excite my mother, if she were to see
mnp VI l.f0 j
"Think? knowit. She mighttear you to
piecesw E =. - \
81 cannot think so, Doctor" declared Eddy
even in her madness, she would rot harm
me-"
"My judgement must decide the matter
Master Burns" said the Doctor stifay.
IL beg your pardon, Doctor" said Eddy
humbly enough; "but beg you to let me
look in upon her through the grating at her
door. l won't speak word. Only let me
see her once morew
at is impossible Master Burns"
sob, don't say thatw cried Eddy. 81 am
all she has in the wide world, Doctor"
"She has her husbandp -.-s r7-s
Eddy made gesture of despair. 2-
she don't love him as she loves me-" he
said. You don't know how she loves me.
sir. She has worked hard to keep me al
school since father died-she married Mi
Burgoyne because she thought he would be a
father to me. My heart is breaking to see
herr'
II regret, Master Burns"
you refuse then ?" cried the boy. ~ tell
you must see her! Ny father lett her in nv
care. l am Der protectofA-"
"Mr. Burgoyne," said the Doctor, "is her
guardian now, and the only one can recog.
nize. Go home to your step-father. Your
mother is in good hands, and you can do no
good in hanging about and acting in this high
ly improper STYLE"
Eddy felt insulted, but he could not aban-
don his project without last endeavor to ef-
feet it.
81 am only boy, DR.. Bullet" he said, "but
know there must be some one in the land
more powerful than you, who can permit me
to see my mother. will see lawyer"
THAT is big talk for boy of your sizew
sneered the Doctor. "Your mother was COM
mitted to my asylum in accordance with the
lawmade and provided for such cases. ANY
lawyer will tell you that no one can give you
permit to see mad woman, when her ply
stefan declares she must be secudedw
Eddy felt the hOpelessness of his case. He
had no powerful trends-no money. And he
felt sure that Mr.. Bargoyne and DIR. Bullet
were his enemies, and that some terrible mys-
terry was connected with his mother.
81 am only boy, Doctor" said Eddy at
last, sorrowtully, but with brave look shin
You may hear from me again."
He bowed gravey and went out.
With heavy heart he moved down the
graveled walk to the gate.
He was determined not to abandon his
mother, let her madness be as dangerous as it
might; but how could he compass his object?
He had nearly reached the iron gates, and
was hloving with lettering step, when he
looked back at the grim asylum. No one was
looking out at him.
Taking advantage of the opportunity thus
Eddy slipped into a by-path, and
sought the shelter OF some shrubbery near the
wall. Here he flung himself upon the
ground, to wait patiently the coming of dark
ness.
1t was now abont six o'clock of the long
summer afternoon.
How the twilight fingered! Eddy, peering
out saw one OF the keepers lock the great
iron gates at an early hour, but the old town
clock at RvertOn had struck the hour of ten
before the lights and the noises died out of
the asylum.
1t was nearly eleven O'Clock, when Eddy,
and tired, crept out from his con.
cealment.
He moved slowly around the building again
and again, scanning the upper windows. No
light cleaned from them, no sound of life.
save now and then moan, came from with,
n those dreary cells.
"Can it be she is not up there?" thought
he boy, cold sweat starting to his brow
Can they have put her into dungeon ?"
Around and around the building he slowly
,ircled, wild prayer in his heart that if his
mother were in one of the upper rooms, some
'rovidential impulse might lead her to look
,ut.
His prayer was answered. He who an
'wers prayer directed her restless steps to her
rrated window A slender fouro snd1,,I