Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-04-18

erton. on the Hudson. He. had now been
at Riverton some years, and was regarded
in the village as an upright and honorable
| man, having, it seemed, left his former
| reputation behind him when he changed
| his residence. laa p l5 - +
''Ah, Eddy Burns p exclaimed the Doc
| tor, in his mild. bland voice, extending
his baud. allow do You do, Eddy How
| you grow! "Glad to see you, my fine
| fellow IL, sr4,r., --t..,
But Eddy did not seem to see the out
stretched hand. He certainly did not Of
fer to take 1t. There was frown on his
brows, and his lips were set together in
an expression which would have rendered
the smiling Doctor uneasy had he seen it
upon an older face. 80 .... .,.s..,
II have heard from Mr.. Burgoyne that
my mother is here, the boy said calmly.
81 have come to see her, DIR. Bullet
The expression on the Doctors face
changed to one of uneasiness, which,
swiftly as it passed, was not unnoticed by
Eddy.
"Yes, ali, yes" said the Doctor smooth
". ''1ou have come to see your mother?
Very laudible-vcry. / am sorry though,
Master Burns, that must refuse your re-
quest. Mrs. Burgoyne is in critical
state. The least excitement, such as the
sight of you might occasion her, might
prove fatal.n
"Would she know me P" asked Eddy.
81 think not She is a raving maniac
knows now one--has attempted to COM
nit suicide. But the sight of you might
strike a chord of memory, and l should
not dare to risk it. All, this is terrible
affliction 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!'
81 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 stiffiy.
II 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 more!"
ut is impossible, Master Burns"
'Oh, don't say that !" cried Eddy. Il
am all she has in the wide world, Doc
tor"
.'She has her husband r.
Eddy made a gesture of despair.
''She don't love him rs 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 he
would be father to me. My heart is
breaking to see her :"
II regret, Master Burns
you refuse then ?" cried the boy. 81
tell you must see her! My father left
her in my care. am her protector"
''Mr. Burgoyne," said the Doctor, sis
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 endeav-
or to effect it.
81 am only 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.
will see lawyer"
"Thats big talk for a boy of your size !!
sneered the Doctor. Your mother was
with the law made and provided for such
cases. Any lawyer will tell you that no
one can give you permit to see a mad
woman, when her physician declares she
must be secludedm
Eddy felt the hopelessness of his case,
He had no powerful friends-no money.
And he felt sure that Mr.. Burgoyne and
DIR. Bullet were his enemies, and that some
terrible mystery was connected with his
mother.
II am only boy, Doctor" said Eddy
at last, sorrowfully, but with brave look
shining in his eyes, "but have a mans
courage. You may hear from me again.
He bowed gravely and went out.
With heavy heart, he moved down the
gravelled 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 moving with a 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 up
on the ground to wait patiently the COM
ing of darkness.
1t was now about six o'clock of the long
summer afternoon.
How the twilight lingered 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 noises
died out in the asylum.
1t was nearly eleven o'clock. when Eddy
cramped and tired, crept out from his con-
cealment.
He moved slowly round the building
again and again, scanning the upper win
dows. No light cleaned from them, no
sound of life, save now and then moan,
came from within those dreary cells.
''Can it be she is not up there ?" thought
the boy, cold sweat starting to his brow.
"Can they have put her into dungeon P'
Around and around the building he
slowly circled, a wild prayer in his heart
that if his mother were in one of the up