Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-11
EODY'S SEARCH +;
A BRAVE BOYS BATTLE.
DIR. BULLETS "PRIvATE RETREAT"

DIR. BULLETS "PRIvATE RETREAT"
It was early In June, 1851 In one of the small
neatly furnished rooms of good Mrs Brlery ooaTu-
ing house, at Poughkeepsie, was seated our nero
Eddy Burns. s,.
age with bright blue eyes, nooIe Ioreheau, Ialr
hair and resoute mouth. he was brave boy, hrst
in his class a school, and distinguished tor MS gem
erosity and kindness of heart.
Hi home was at RivertOn, some miles further up
the river but he was student at Poughkeepsie,
and it was several weeks since he had seen his
home and his mother.
His geography lay unheeded on his knees as he
wove his boYish plans; how he would achieve
wealth and fame aud make his mother proud of
him.
He was only aroused from his reverie by the en-
trance OF Mrs. Briefly. She help up two letters.
From home, guess, Eddy" she said.
Eddy's face glowed as he sprang up, receiving
the letters.
ats about timeI had letter from mother" he
ten the other? I'll read mothers first, any how"
Ill Just stay to hear If Mrs. Burns is WELL" re.
marked Mrs Briefly. "how is sheG"
The boy tore open the smaller of the two envel-
opes, 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 It's close
and looked up to Mrs. Briefly with an expression
of unutterabe grief.
What is it, Eddyi" she questioned. anxiously.
The lad replied only by moan.
"Deadg" cried Mrs. Briefly.
Eddy shook his head
mot dead" he sobbed, "but it's almost the same.
You can read the letter, Mrs. Briefly. Oh, my
mother! my mOtheTW
He sobbed aloud
Mrs Briefly caught up the letter from the floor
to which it had fallen
1t ran as follows:
"RIvERToN 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. l am about to
| write you an explanation.
Three years ago your father ard were the hap
| piest couple in RIverton. We lived in our own
house. pretty little villa overlooking the river and
your father owned his factory which was near The
| failure of an extensive firm with which nv
poor husband was connected hurled us down to pow
erty.
'iAbout the time of my husbands failure, the
California gold excitement became fever in our vi
cinify A successful miner returned to Riverton
from the land OF gold and for days portion of his
wealth was displayed in our bankers window IN tho
shape of huge gold brick. Your father smarting
under his reverses conceived the idea of going to
California, and two years ago he went.
Hart Burgoyne furnished him money for his
venture. 1t was to the care of Hart BurgOyne my
husband and your father commended us in the hour
of his departure. 1t was Hart Burgoyne who at
tended 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
| Franci co.
Hart Burgoyne was my lover, that rejected for
your father, but he your fathers truest friend
and has never borne me ma ice because | preferred
| another to him. He has lately renewed his suit
| to me, and urges me to become his wife He mas
offered to make You his heir.
"You know how poor l am, Eddy. have not
the strength to work as used. | am anxious that
| you should obtain an education. In short Eddy !
| have consented to marry MIR. Burgoyne. 1t is for
| your sake, my boy. DO not believe that any one
| can come between us-yOu and me. l respect MIR.
BurgoYne-I honor and esteem him, but have told
him that have no love to give him. My heart is
with you, dear Eddy, and with my lost Richard.
| That frStlo was th1 orpa of
ave are TO be married this morning-wlthin an
hour. ] would have sent for you, but Mr.. Bur.
gOyne thought had better not. We are to be mar.
ried quietly IN my little cottage paror and we will
then walk up together to the villa to which your
| father took me Rs his bride.
Come home to us on Saturday. Come with q
light heart and a 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 con
a don't see anything to fret at, Eddy. One would
think your mother was dead. What is the matter?
| Don't you like Mr.. BurgOyne"
"No.no" cried Eddy, with a shudder, "and he
| don't like me-"
whats done can't be undone" continued Mrs.
| Briefly. "I'd make the best of the matter"
81 will make the best of 1t, Mrs. Briefly" re-
turned Eddy. "Poor mother! She married MIR.
Burgoyne for. my sake, and she shall never know
| that her marriage has cost me pang."
Eddy took up the second letter, opened and read
it aloud, while upon his eOuntenance slowly gath
| cred an expression of horror.
| The second letter from Hart Burgoyne:
| RIvERTON, JUNE 18th, 1851
| MASTER EDWARD BURNS: As you will under
| other day, Mrs. Julia Burns is now my wife We
/ were married on the morning of the 10th.
During the evening of the day on which we
were married, was called from home for an hour
| on business. On my return was met by my BRIDE
VINO was in a state of frightful excitement. That
excitement increased at sight of me, and terrible
scene ensued, in which the poor creature made an
at ack upon my life.
a summoned DR.. Bullet, and he with other ply
slcIans, pronounced her dangerously insane. Nc
| one was with her in my absence The cause OF the
attack is supposed to be excitement, brought on by
/ finding herself in the same rooms where she had
spent the first years of her first marriage By med
tca advice, l caused poor Julia to be removed to
Dr. Bullets private retreat for the insane where she
now is, under the doctors wise and skilful treat
| ment. Her recovery Is more than doubtful.
II advise you to remain at Poughkeepsie until
your school vacation, when you will come to my
house, which is to be your future home. You have
my sympathy in this affection. Truly yours,
The letter fell from Eddy's nerveless. hands
There were tears now, but instead look of sterr
resolve. Mrs. Briefly was startled as she encOun
tered his burning glance.
"1nsane on her bridal dayH" exclaimed the good
woman. "What an awful blow for you, my poor
dInsane I" cried Eddy. II don't believe i'll"
mot believe it! WY, here it is in black and
| whiteW
A spasn of pain passed over Eddy's features. but
| he uttered no moan and shed no tear.
'rThere Is mystery here can't understand" he
said. IAN know Is that my mother is in trouble
and am going to her. l must see her! 1 shall
have just time to catch the three O'Clock boatm
lie set about his preparations for departure at
once babe Mrs. Brierlv good-by and hurried to the
steamboat landing, arriving just in time to catch
the up river boat.
About an hour later he disembarked at Riyerton,
and swiftly took his way up the.steep street to the
| bluff upon which the Burgoyne villa was situated
The house stood back from the street Eddy
opened the small iron gate aud passed into the
shaded recesses of the lawn, hurrying to the house
| He assembled the StpDS, when he disClrnpd a ms
| seated upon the veranda.
Eddy recognized Hart Burgoyne, aud made his
nOunced.
Mr.. Burgoyne was smoking a cigor, but at Eddy's
| approach started, and arose, his face changing
color.
"You here3" he calculated
eyes, am here" responded Eddy coolly
The man and the boy faced each other in mute
antagonism.
Hart Burgoyne was tall, well-proportioned
portly man, forty years of age, with ford com
plexlon, ana prominent Roman nose, who bore
the reputation of an honest upright gentleman OF
great wealth.
81 told YOU to remain at Poughkeepsie till your
school term closed" began Mr.. Burgoyue irritaby
~ know you did, sir" returned Eddy respect.
fully. "But my mother is in trouble"
"sit down, boy. | can see that the news has
more alable tone. "You cannot imagine how
| have suffered"
Eidy's heart softened toward him.
as mother really so bad off, sir, as YOU stated in
your etterp he asked. in a faltering voice
bad of my poor Eddyl She is raving mad
| Eddy shivered.
"Don't you know what made her crazy7" he
| asked.
mo. | wish did. We were married in tbe
| morning, and she came home with me. We talked
together, spending the day very pleasantly on the
yerandas. In the evening was called out on busi
ness. julia went into the library. The house.
Keeper says that no one called during my absence
hDu that una saw no one. Yet when came in an
t yu5 sDeIi my wife flew at me like wild cat Shf
me" 80 1iiV VIZ HVt A"Vn
mot know you, STRIP
mo. And she flew at Dr. Bullet also -
"Ihen there was no positive cause co. tl,;s s,5
attack, STRIP 'e 'or tiilS suuoeu
None unless the sight of the house To which Oh,
came as a BRIDE sixteen years ago Evervth;s lt
as Burns arranged IL Tho s,gbf &c Inlng II