The Portland daily press., 1871-04-13
EDDY's SEARCH:
A Brave Boys Battle.
Dp. BULLETS "PRIvATE RETREAT"

HeSS Ol heart. -.;lae fur |
His home was at Rverton, so'ne mss at
Their nm The river. but be was student aI
Pouobteapsie and it was now seVerai WEEKS
since he had seen bis home ana his moiner.
His GEOGRAPHY lay UNDECIDED on his knees
nc he I'VE his boyish plans; how be would |
achieve wealth anu Iaine, anu make HIS
mother proud of him. |
He was only aroused from his reverie by |
the entrance of Mrs. Briefly. She held up
two letters. =a.-
"From home, 1 guess, Eddy" she said.
Eddy's face Slowed as he sprang up, recciV
ing the letters.
ITS about time had a letter from moth
err" he exclaimed. One is from her. Who
can have written the other? IN read moth
er's first, any how"
"PIl Just stay TO hear if Mrs. Burns is well"
remarked Mrs. Briefly. "How is she?"
The boy tore open the smaller OF the two
envelopes, and hurrediy perused bis mothers
letter.
Aud 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. Bri-
ely with an expression of unutterabe grief.
''What is it, Eddy" she questioned anx.
iously.
The lad replied only by moan. "a n
dead" cried Mrs. Briefly.
Eddy shook his head.
"Not Dead" he sobbed, "but it's almost the
oh, my mother! my motherw
He sobbed aloud.
Mrs. Briefly caught up the letter from the
floor TO which it had fallen.
1t ran as follows: etrt.sslc
"RIvERToN ON HUDSON, June 1eth, 1851.
NY DARLING Son: You must have wonder
ed that have not permitted your usual week.
~ visits tome 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 and 1 were the
happiest couple in Riverton. We lived in our
own house, pretty little villa overlooking the
river and yeur father owned his factory which
was near. The failure of an extensive firm
with which my poor husband was connected
buried us down to poverty.
Abont the time of my husbands failure, the
California gold excitement became a fever in
our vicinity. 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 the shape Of huge gold
BRICK. Your father, smartlpg under his re-
verses, conceived the idea of going to Calfor-
MIA, and two years ago he went. .5 ..,.
Hart Burgoyne furnished him money for his
venture. 1t was to the care of Hart Burgoyn ne
my husband and your father commended us in
the hour of his departure. 1t was Hart Bur
goyne who attended him 10 New York, who
paid his passage, and whose friendly face he
last saw before setting out upon that i'll fated
voyage.
You know, Eddy, that your father died OF fe-
YER in California. within week OF his landing
at San Francisco. -.sl y & =
Hart Burgoyne was my lover, that rejected
for your father, but he was your father truest
friend and has never borne me malice because
preferred another to him. He has lately re-
newed his suit to me, and urges me to become
bis wife. He has offered to make you bis heir
You know how poor I am Eddy. 1 have
not the strength to work as used. 1 am aDx-
ious that you should obtain an education. In
short, Eddy, have consented to marry Mr.
Burgoyne 1t is for your sake, my boy. Do
not beneye that any Que can come between Us
you and me. l respect Mr.. Burgoyne-I
IoDor and esteem him, but l have toll him
that bsve no love to give him. My heart is
with you, dear Eddy, and with my lost Rich
ard. That first love was the great love of ny
lille. ..t
We ale TO be married this mornipg-witb:r
an hour. l would have sent for you, but Mr.
Burgoype thought 1 had better not. We are
to be married quietly in my little cottage par
Tor, 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:
II 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-noP cried EDDY, with a shudder,
sand he doesn't like me-"
whats done cant be undone," continued
Mrs. Briefly. "I'd make the best of the mat
ter"
II will make the best Of it, Mrs. BrierIy.n
returned Eddy. Poor mother She married
Mr.. Burgoype for my sake, and she shall
never know that her marriage has cost me a
pang."
Eddy took up the second letter, opened and
read it aloud, while upon his countenance
slowly gathered an expression of horror.
The second letter was from Hart Bur-
goyne.
"RIvERroN, June 18th, 1881.
MASTER EDWARD BURNS: AS you will I'M
derstand, by the letter written by your mother
the other day, Mrs. Julia Burns is now nv
wife. We were married on the morning of the
10th. I'D I.Fl Trtrr
During the evening of the day on which we
were married, l was called from home for an
hour on business. On my return, was met
by my bride, who was in state of fearful ex-
cltement The excitement incre ased at sight
of me, and terrible scene ensued, in which
life. - '-
summoned DR.. Bullet, and he, with other
physicians, pronounced her dangerously insane.
NO one was With her in my absence. The
cause of the attack is supposed to be excite
ment, brought on by finding herself in the
same rooms where she had spent the first
years of her first marriage. By medicai advice,
l caused poor Julia TO be removed to Dr. Bull
let's private retreat for the insane. where she
now is, under the DOcto. 8 wise and skillfuI
full. NN'
advise you to remain at Pouc bkeepsie until
your school vacation, when you will come to
Wy mouse, winch is to be your future home
You have my sympathy in this affections
Iruiy yours, HART BURGoYNE."
The letter fell from Eddys nerveless hands.
There were no tears now, but instead a look
OF stern resolve. Ms. Briefly was startled as
she encountered his burning glance.
"Insane on her bridal dayv' exclaimed the
good woman. "What an awful blow for you,
my poor boyp'
"Insaner' cried Eddy. 81 don't believe tip
"Not believe it! Why, here it is in black
and whtew
spasm of pain passed over Eddy's fea.
lures, but he uttered no moan and shed no
tear.
There is a mystery here 1 can't UNDER
stand" he said. '.All know is that nv
mother is in trouble, and am going to her. [
must see her! shall have lust time tn catch |
the three O'Clock boat"
lie set about his preparations for departure |
at once, babe Mrs. Briefly good by and bur
RED to the steamboat lending, arriving inst in /
time TO catch the up river boat.
About an hour later be dsembarked at Riy- |
erton, 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. Ed.
dy opened the small iron gate and passed into |
the shaded recesses of the lawn, hurrying to
the house. He assembled the steps, when he |
discerned man seated upon the veranda.
Eddy recognized Hart Burgoyne, and made |
MS way to him without causing himself to be
announced
Mr.: Burgoyne was smoking a cigar, but at
Eddy's approach, started, and arose, his face
changing color.
You here ?" he calculated.
yes, am here" responded Eddy coolly.
The man and the boy faced each other in a
mute antagonism.
Hart Burgoyne was tall, well-proportioned.
portly man, forty years OF age, with ford
complexion, and prominent Roman nose.
who bore the reputation of an honest. unrioht
gentleman OF great wealth.
N. i told you to remain at Poughkeepsie till
your school term closed, began Mr.. Burgoyne
irritably-
81 know you did, sir" returned Eddy re.
spectfulIy. "But my mother is in trouble"
'Sit down, boy. can see that the news
has been shock to you," said Mr.. Burgoyne,
in more afable tone. "You cannot imagine
how l have suffered"
Eddy's heart softened toward him.
rs mother really so bad off, sir, as you
stated in your letter." he asked, in faltering
voice.
mad"
Eddy shvered