Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-12-06

o"sei'tu tIlHt IL was truc she was lone WG-
man, but that she had friends who would
protect her, and concluded bv insisting on
his leaving the housc.-The Doctor made "A
slight apology, deliberately put on his grea,
coat and hat, took polite leave of the COM
panv, and approached the street door, ligh,-
ed by the maid and attended by the mistress.
While the Doctor and his companions had
been enjoying themselves within, "A most lre-
mendons snow storm, had, without, filled the
streets knco dcep--and no sooner had the
maid tilted the latch than rooring north
easter forced open the door and cx,incuished
the light and filled the entry with drined
snow and hail. As soon as the candle was
relghtcd, the Doctor cast woful look at
the street, and thus addressed bis mohor,-
Ny dcur madam, can you turn me out of
your house in this dreadful storm I am a
stranger in this Town, and shall certainly per-
isl in the streets. You look like "A charita-
Bile lady f; | sl,ould'n, think you would turn
dog out Of doors on this compositions night
Don't tell me of Charity said the often
ded matron-' charity begins at home. 1t
is your own fault that you tarried 50 lorc
To be plain with you, Sir, don't like your
looks, nor your conduct-and | fear YOU
have some bad design in thus introducing
yourself into my family.
The warmth of this parry had drawn the
party from the paror, and by their unitod
interference, the stranger was permitted to
lodge in the house and as no bed was to be
had, he consented to repose on an easy
chair before the parlor fire. Although her
boarders appeared to condle, perfectly, in
the strangers honesty, it was not so with
Mrs. franklin; with suspicious caution she
collected all her silver spoons, pcpperbox
and porringer, from her closet; and after
securing the parlor door by sticking fork
over the latcli-;-carried the plate to the
chamber-charged the negro man to sleep
with his clothes Onto take the great cleav-
err to bed with him, and to awaken and seize
the vagrant the first noise he made in at
tempting to plumber the house. Having thus
taken every precaulon, she retired to bed
with her maid, whom she compelled to SLEEP
in her room.
Mrs. Frankln rose before the sun, reused
her domestIcS, unfaslened the parlor door
with timid caution, and was agrceably sur.
P'''NH W i'u "t' Shtst H'itiy SlctVlHg IntIIt
chair "a sudden transition from extreme
mlstrust to perfect confidence, was natural
She awakened him with IA cheerful cooc
morning-inqnired how he had resicd-anC
invited him to partake of her breakfast
which was always served previous to tina, o
the borders. And pray, sir, said the ole
lady, as she slipped her chocolate, as YOU APP
pear to be stranger here, to what dstan
country do YOU belong! |. madam-I be
long ioihe CITY of Philadelphia! At the men
ton of Philadelphia. the Doctor declared he
for the first time perceived any emotion il
her. 'Pliladelphia d" said she, and all tn,
mother suflnsed her eye. If you live i,
Philadelphia, perhaps YOU know our Ben.
'Who, madnm" 'Why. Ben franklin
my Ben; OH! he's the dearest child tlla, cy
er hlest IA mntl'rr!' WHAT said the Doc
tor, is Ben Franklin, the printer, YOUR son
why, he is my mos, intimate friend he ant
| lodge in the same room 'Oh God for
give me ! exclaimed the old lady, and
have permitted "A friend of Ben to sleep OF
on this hard chair, while | my self rested OF
bed
How the Doctor discovered himself to hi
mother he has not informed us, but he W
often afterwards heard to declare that nalura
affection does not exist.--11m. Anec,l0tes.