Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-04-13

Il have heard from Mr.. Burgoyne that
nv mother is here,' the boy said calmly.
I have come to see her, DR.. Bullet
The expression on the Doctors face
changed to one Of uneasiness, which, swift
lily as it passed, was not unnoticed by
Eddy.
sYes, ali, yes,' said the Doctor smooth
| w.. g You have come to see your mother
Very laudable-very. I am sorry though,
Master Burns, that I must refuse your re-
Quest. 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 me 2 asked Eddy.
Il think not. She is raving maniac
knows no one-has attempted to commit
suicide. But the sight of you might strike
a chord of memory, and l should not dare
to risk it. All, this is terrible affection
to Mrs. Burgoyne's friends, my lad.'
you think, then, Doctor he asked,
that it would excite my mother, if she
were to see me =
think l know it. She might tear
you to pieces
Il cannot think so, Doctor declared
Eddy. Even in her madness, she would
not harm me-.
MY judgment must decide the matter,
Master Burns said the Doctor stitfiy.
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. I won't speak word. Only
let me see her once moreo
1T is impossible, Master Burns
ooh, don't say that p cried Eddy. Il
am all she has in the wide world, Doctor
sShe has her husband J
Eddy made gesture of despair.
sShe 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
at school since father died-she married
Mr.. Burgoyne because she thought be
would be father to me. My heart is
breaking to see her =
I regret, Master Burns
sYou refuse then q cried the boy.
I tell YOU l mast see her! Ny father
left her in my care. I am her protertor--'
sMr. Burgoyne,' said the Doctor, is
her guardian now, and the only one can
recognize. 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 highly improper style
Eddy felt insulted, but he could not
abandon his project without last endea-
vor to effect it.
Il am only a boy, Doctor Bullet he
said, but know that there must be some
one in the land more powerful than you,
who can permit me to see my mother. L
will see a lawyer
THAT is big talk for boy of your
| size ? sneered the Doctor. Your mother
was committed to my asylum in accord
ance with the law made and provided for
such cases. Amy lawyer will tell you that
no one can give you permit to see mad
woman, when her physician declares she
must be secluded"
Eddy felt the hopelessness of his case.
He had no powerful Eiends-no money.
And he felt sure that Mr.. Burgoyne and
DR.. Bullet were his enemies, and that
some terrible mystery was connected with
his mother.
lam only boy, Doctor said Eddy at
last, sorrowrully, but with a brave look
shining in his eyes, " but | have mans
courage. You may hear from me again
He bowed gravely 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 object2
He had nearly reached the iron gates,
and was moving with lettering step,
when he looked back at the grim asylum.
No one was looking out at him.
Taking advantage of the opportunity
thus afforded, Eddy slipped into 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 darkness.
1t was now about six o'clock of the
long summer afternoon.
How the twilight fingers Eddy peer
ing out, saw one of the keepers lock the
great iron gates at an early hour, but the
old town clock at Riverton had struck the
hour of ten before the lights and the noise
died out of the asylum.
1t was nearly eleven o'clock when Eddy, |
cramped and tired, crept out from his con-
cealment,
He moved slowly around the building
again and again, scanning the upper win
dows. No light cleaned from them, no
sound of life, save new and then moan,
came from within those dreary cells.
Can it be she is not up there p tho't
the boy, cold sweat starting to his brow.
Can they have put her in dungeon q
Around and around the building he
slowly circled, wild prayer in his heart
that if his mother were in one of the upper
rooms, some providential impulse might
lead her to look out.
His prayer was answered. He who an
swers prayer directed her restless steps to
her grated window. A slender figure sud-
denly appeared, pair of hands were
clasped 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. ...... z...-.....
Eddy's heart gave one throb, and
through his pale lips quivered the words:
"My mother p
The vision fingered but moment at the
pen window, then Withdrawing ITSELF At
is disappearance, Eddy sprang up.
"She did not look dangerously mad =" he q
whispered. 81 must see her-speak to her," t
He dared not call to her, and bring dis
overy upon him. He must work quietly.
Marking the window at which the vision j
ad appeared, he saw that one of the heavy
ranches of tall pine-tree swept close t
gainst its bars. :
He crept to the tree, climbing its trunk :
Ike a squirrel, and gaining the shelter of :
8 densest branches. He was soon upon a
vel with the second story of the asylum.
A moment more, and he was clnging to o
le lowest bar of the window. =