The Wilmingtonian., 1824-04-22

tOund the Ou IAuy kHt'ItH oeIore tlle pArhf Hie,
introduced himself by observing that he had been
she entertained travellers and request
ed nights lodging She eyed him with that
cold look of dsapprobstion which most people
assume, when they imagine themselves :nsuled
by being supposed to exercise an employment
but degree below their real occupation in life
assured him that he had been misintormrd': that
she did not keep tavern; but that it was true to
obge some members OF the Legislature she took
number of them into her family during the ses-
sion; that she then had four members of til.
council. and six of the house of representatives.
who then boarded with her; that all her beds
we're full, and then bctoell herself to her knitting
with tha intense application. which expressed AS
forcibly as action could 10, il you have conclu-
led your business, the stnner you leave the house
the better, But upon tie Doctors wrapping his
coat around him, affecting 10 shiver with cold
and observing it was chilly weather, she poin ed
to chair and gave him leave to warm himself.
The entrance of the bnatders precluded all
further conversation--coffee was soon served up,
an the Doctor partook with the family. To the
coffee, accord ng 10 the good old custom of the
times, succeeded a plate of pippins, pipes, and
| p per of MIntire's BEST when the whole family
formed most cheerful smoking semi.crcle be-
| fore the ire-Perhaps no man ever possessed the
colloquia powers TO more facinatng dt gree
than DIR. Franklin and never was there an otca-
sion when he display ed those powers to greater
| advantage than al this time He drew the atten
| ion Of the whole company, BY the so.ii'y aud
pc, tinencc of modest remaik--instructed them by
the varied, new and striking light in which he
placed his subject. and delighted them with apt
and pleasing anecdotes Thus employed, the
hours passed merr. along, until O'clock, whrn
punctual to moment, Mrs. Franklin announced
supper. Busted with her household Affairs she
fancied the irtruding stranger had quilted the
house Immediately after coffee, and it was with
difficulty she could restrain heT resentment when
she saw him without morstalion, seat, himself at
the table with the freedom Of member Of the
family.
Immediately after supper she called an elderly
| gentleman, member OF the Council, i'll whom
she was accustomed to confde, to another room
-compainel bitterly OF the rudeness of the stran.
ger--told him the manner Of his introduction Ia
the houN--observed that he appeared like All
outlandsh man, and she thought, had something
very suspicious in his manner and appearance
l-conclnding by soliciting her friends advice
with respect 10 the way il which she could most
easily rid herself Of his presence. The old gen.
tleman assured her hat the stranger was certain
tlya young man of education; and 20 all appear
ance gentleman that perhaps being in sgreea'
bic company, lie paid no attention to the lateness
: ot the hour, and advised her TO call him aside
and repeat to hun her insbity to lodge him. She
therefore called the .g4nger cut Of the room, and
With As much temper as she cond command re
capitula,ed the situation of her f,nily-observct
, that it grew late, and mildly minated that ht
would do we'll 10 seek himself lodging. Th,
Doctor replied that he would bv no means incom
, mode her family but, that with her leave, ht
would smoke one pipe more with her boarders
aad tncn retire.
lie returned to the company, filed his pipe
md with the first whitf his power OF converse
urned with double force lie recouned the hard
lslIi t.I f,E the
, ancestors. gentleman present mentioned thu
, subject ot the days debate in the house Of re
presen'a'ives. A bill had been introduced to ex
tend the prerogatives Of the royal governor. Tht
Doctor Immediately entered upon the subject
supported the colonial rights with new and for
chile arguments was familiar with the news .
I the influential men of the house, when Dudley wa
governors recited their speeches, and applaudet
the noble defence OF chamber rights
, During discourse so appropriately interest
| ing to the company, no wonder the clock strucl
eleven; unperceived by the delighted circle; no
was it wonderful that the patience of Mrs Frank
: I'm, by this time grew quite exhausted. She nov
entered the room; and before the whole compa
N.Y. with much warmth addressed The Doctor tolt
: aim plainly she thought herself imposed upon
observed that il was true she was lone woman
but that she had friends who would protect her
and concluded by insiting on his leaving th'
, house. The Doctor made slight apology, de
lloerately put on his great coat and hat, and tool
polite leave Of The company, and aPproach' d th'
street door, lighted by the maid, and attended b,
the mistress. While the Doctor and his compan
ions had been enjoying themselves within, mos
!, tremendous snow storm had, without, filled TN
f. street knee deep, and no sooner had the maid iti
ed up the latch, than rosring north eastern win,
forced open the door, extingui,hed the light ant
S almost filled the entry with the drifted snow ant
Z hail. AS soon as the candle was relighted, TIN
, Doctor cast = woful eye towards the door, anc
! thus addressed his mother My dear madam
5 can you turn me out of your house in this dread
ful storm; am stranger in this town, ami shal
certainly perish in the streets. You look like :
charitable woman, snd certainly would not ever
turn a dog from your door OH this tempestuou
night DON'T tell Inc of charity, said the offended
maron charity begins at home il is your owl
fault you ,arriet so long. TO be plain with yo,
sir, do not like your looks or your conduct ant
fear you have some bad designs, i'll thus intro
ducng yourself to my family.
: The warmth of the parley had drawn the com
a pany from the parlor, and by their united inter
, ferences, the stranger was permitted to lodge il
/ the house and as 10 bed could be had, he con
sented to repose on easy chair, before the par
$ lor fire. Although the boarders appeared to con
. tide in the strangers honesty, it was not 80 will
Mrs. Franklin; with suspicious caution, she col
a lected her silver spoons, pepper box and porrin
e ger, from her closet; and after securing the par
k lor door, by sticking fork over the latch, CAR
ried the plate to the chamber, charged the negr'