The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-12-25
DR.. Franklin's visit to his moth
e.,


most rapid alteration is made in the human
appearance; at time when the querulous
voice of the STRIPPING assumes the command
ing voice of the adult, and the smiling features
of the youth are succeeded by the strong lines
of manhood. The Doctor was sensible such
was the alteration Of his person, that his moth
or could not know him, except by the instinct
which it is believed can cause a mothers
heart to beat violently in the presence Of a
child, and point the maternal eye, with quick
and sudden glance, TO beloved son.
| To discover the existence of this instinct,
by actual experience, Franklin resolved to
introduce himself, as stranger, to his moth
er, and to watch narrowly for the moment
in which she should discover her son, and
then to determine with the cool precision of
the philosopher, whether that discovery was
the effect Of that instinct of affection--that
intuitive love-that innate attachment
which is conjectured to cement relatives of
the same blood; and which, by according the
passions of parent and child, like well tuned
viol, would, at the first touch, cause them
to vibrate in unison, and at once evince that
they were the different chords of the same in
strument.
On a sulen, chilly day, in the month Of
mothers door and asked to speak with Mrs.
Franklin. He found the old lady knitting
before the parlor fre-introduced himself,
by observing that he had been informed she
entertained travellers, and requested nights
lodging. She eyed him with that cold look
of disapprobation which most people assume
when they imagine themselves insulted by
being supposed TO exercise an employment
| hui hal hair
| in life; assured him that he had been misin
formeJ-that she did not keep tavern; but
that it was true, TO oblge some members of
the Legislature, she took number of them
into her family, during the session that she
| then had four members of the council and six
of the House of Representatives, who board
ed with her-that all her beds were full; and
then betook herself TO her knitting with that
intense application which expressed as forci
| bly, as actions could do, If you have concluded
your business, the sooner you leave the house
J the better. But upon the Doctors wrapping
his cloak around him, affecting TO shiver with
cold, and observing it was very chilly wealth
er, she pointed to chair, and gave him leave
! TO warm himself.
The entrance of her boarders precluded
| further couversation-cofee was soon served,
/ To the coffee, according to the good old Gus
tom of the times, succeeded plate of pippins,
AID a paper OF McEniire's best, when the
whole family formed cheerful smoking SEM
icncle before the fire. Perhaps DO man pos
sessed tho colloquial powers to more tascin-
ating degree, than DR.. Franklin and never
was there an occasion when he displayed
those powers to greater advantage, than at
IL. ,1,a off ho
pany. by soldity of modest rcmark-instruC-
ted them by the varied, and new and striking
lights, in which he placed his subject, and de-
lighted them with apt and amusing anecdotes.
Thus employed, the hours passed merrily
along, until eight O'Clock, when, punctual to
moment, Mrs. Franklin announced supper.
Busted with her household affairs, she fan
!. cied the intruding stranger had quilted the
house, Immediately after coffee, and it was
with difficulty she could restrain her resent
ment when she saw him, without molestation,
seat himselfat the table with the freedom of
a member of the family.
Immediately after supper, she called an
elderly gentlemen, member Of the council,
in whom she was accustomed TO conhde, to
another room-complained bitterly of the
rudeness of the stranger-told the manner OF
his introduction TO the house-observed that
he appeared like an outlandish man, and, she
thought, had something very suspicious in
his appe: rance, concluding by soliciting her
friends advice with respect to the way in
which she could most easily rid herself Of his
presence. The old gentleman assured her
that the stranger was certainly young man
of education. and to all appearance gentle
man; that, perhaps, being in agreeable COM
pany, he had paid no attention to the lateness
of the hour; and advised her to call him a
side, and repeat to him her inability to lodge
him. She accordingly sent her maid to him.,
and then with as much temper as she could
command, recapituated the situation of her
family, observed that it grew late, and mildly
| intimated that be would do well to seek HIM
self lodging. The doctor replied, that he
would By no means, incommode tie family !;
/ but that, with her leave, he would smoke
one pipe more with her boarders, and then
! retire.
| He returned to the company, and with the
/ first Whit his powers of converse returned with
/ double force. He recounted the hatdships-
he extoled the piety and policy of their an
cestors. A gentleman present mentioned
the subject of the days debate in the House
ofRepresentatives Abill had been introduced.
( to extend the prerogatives oil the Royal Gov.
The DIR. Immediately entered upon the sub
| iect-supported the colonial rights with new
and forcible arguments-was familiar with the
ames of the influential men in the House
when Dudley was Governor-:ecited their
speeches, and applauded the noble defence
Of chamber of rights.
During discourse so appropriately inter-
esting to the company, no wonder the clock
struck eleven unperceived by the delighted
circle: nor was it wonderful that the patience
of Mrs. Franklin grew quite exhausted. She
now entered the room, and before the whole
company, with much warmth, addressed the
Doctor; told him plainly, that she thought
herself imposed on; observed thatit was true
she was a lone woman, but that she had friends
who would protect her. and concluded BIZ in.
sisting on his leaving the house. The Doc
tor made slight apology, deliberately put
! on his coat and hat, took a polite leave ofthe
company, and approached the street door.
lighted By the maid and attended by the mis-
tress. While the Doctor and his compan-
ions had been enjoying themselves within, a
most tremendous snow storm. had without,
filled the streets kneesdeep-and no sooner
b,d tho maid Iiffed the latch than a roarir y