The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-02-15
FEBRUARY Is, 1927

she entertained travellers, requested
nights lodging She eyed him with that
cold look of disapprobation which most peo-
pie assume when they imagine themselves
insulted, BY being supposed to exercise an
employment but one degree below their re-
al occupation in life assured him that he
had been misinformed--tha she did not keep
tavern, but that it was true, to oblige some
members of the legislature, she took mum.
Der of them into her family during the ces-
sion, chat she had four members osiCouncil,
and six of the House Of Representatives.
who then boarded with her-that all her
beds were full; and then betook herself to
her knitting with that intense application,
which expressed, as forcibly as action could
do, if you have concluded your business, the
sooner y you leave the house the better.-But
upon the Doctors wrapping his coat around
him, affecting to shyer with cold. and OBJ
serving it was very chilly weather she point
ed to chair, and gave him leave to warm
himself.
The entrance of her boarders precluded
all further conversation-coffce was soon
served, and the Doctor partook with the
family. To the coffee according to the
good old custom of the times, succeeded Il
slate Of pippins, pipes, and paper Of M'In-
tires best, when the whole family formed
cheerful smoking scmi-circle around the fire.
Perhaps no man ever possessed the colloqui-
al powers to a more fascinating degree, than
Doctor Franklin and never was there an oc-
casion, when he displayed those powers to
greater advantage than at this time. lie
! drew the attention Of the company by the
sodity of his modest remarks-instructing
them BY the varied, new, aud striking lights
in which he placed his subjects, and delight
ed them with apt and amusing anecdotes.
Thus employed, the hours passed tnerrily
alony until eight O'Clock when punctual to
moment, Mrs. Fran n ,unou u"red supper.
Busicd with her househod affairs she fam
cied the intruding stranger had quilted the
house Immediately after coffee, and 1t was
with diff 1t, she could restrain her resent
meut when She saw him without molesta-
tiou, seat himself at the table, with the free
dom of a member Of the family.
Immediately after supper, she called an
elderly gentleman, member of the Coun-
cii. in whom She was accua.omed to confde,
10 ,nther room--compl planned bitterly OF the
rudcn Is OF the strangcr---told the II amer
~ introduction to the house--observed
that he appeared like all outlandish man,
and she thought, had something very sus-
p1ous in his appearance, concluding by So
Letting her friends advice with respect TO
the wav in which she could most easily rid
herself Of his presence. The old gentleman
assured her, that the stranger was certainly
a Young man of education, and to all ap
pearance, gentleman, that, perhaps, being
in agreeable company, ne had paid no atten-
tion to the lateness of the hour; and ADVISED
her to call him aside, and repeat to him her
inability to lodge him. She accordingly sent
3 ,uitl, r
temper AS she conld command, recapltulat-
ed the situation of her family; observed that
it grew late, and mildly intimated that he
would do well to seek himself a lodging
The Doctor replied he would by no mean:
incommode her family; but that with hel
leave, he would smoke one pipe more with
her borders, and then retire.
He returned to the company, filled hi:
pipe, and with the first Whit, returned with
double force. He rccounted the hardships
he extolled the piety aud policy OF their an
cestors. A gentleman present menuohel
the subject of the days debate in the hous
of representatives. A bill had been intro
duced to extend the prerogatiyes OF the roy
al governor. The Doctor Immediately enter
: ed upon the suoject-supported the colonia
" rights with new and forcble arguments-w
familiar with the names of the infuentia
| men in the house, when Dudley was govern
or-rectcd their speeches, and applauae'
the noble defence Of the chamber rights.
During discourse SO appropriately inter
: esting to the company. no wonder the cloc'
; struck eleven unperceived by the del'ghte'
{ circle: and was it wonderful that the pa
tience of Mrs. Franklin grew quite exhaust
edl She now entered the room. and pefor
the whole company, with much warmth
/. addressed the Doctor; told him plainly, sh
IL thought herself imposed upon; observed tina
o it was true she was lone woman, but tina
It she had friends who would protect her, an
II concluded, bv insisting on his leaving tn
S house. The Doctor made slight apology
{ deliberately put on his great coat and ha
z took polite leave of the company. and ap
|, preached the street door, lighted by th
d maid and attended by the mistress.
: While the Doctor and his companions ha
If been enjoying themselves within, a most tire
" mendous snow storm, had, without, lille
: the streets knee deep; and no sooner ha
1t the maid lifted the latch, than roarln
d uortheaster forced open the door, extlnguisl
l. ed the light, and almost filled the entry wit
drifted snow and hail.-As soon as it We
e relighted the Doctor cast wotul look t.
d wards the door, and thus addressed h
is mother: My dear madam, can you turn m
e out in this dreadful storms l am strange
,r in this town, and shall certainly perish