Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-12-24

The Patience of Mrs. Franklin was nov
exhausted. She came into the room, and
before all the'gentleman, told him pisinl.
that she felt herself imposed upon BY hi
conduct. She said she was q widow, bu
she had friends, who woull protect her
and now bid him leave her house
Upon this he arose, and taking his grca
coat and hat, and politely bowing to th'
gentlemen, left the room. The maid light
ed him to the door, and Mrs. franklin
followed. As he opened the door :he
snow blew in, PIT GU: the light, and very
soon almos. flled the entry.
As soon as the candle was again lighted,
Franklin cast w0ful look towards his
mother, and thus addressed her: Dear
Madam, can you turn me ou: in this dread
ful storm? am stranger in this town,
and shall certainly perish in the streets.
You look like charitable lady; shouldn't t
think You would turn dog from your
! door, in such stormy night
"Don't tell me about charity" sail the
Old lady, "charity begins at home. To be
plain with you, Sir" said she, Il don't
like your looks, or your conduct l fear
you have some bad design here"
Some Of the gentlemen heard this con-
versation, the door being open, aud now
came out. They told Mrs. Franklin they
hoped she would let him stay. A. last
she consented. But, as there was no spare
bed in the house, he agreed to sleep in an
easy chair before the parior FIRE.
Before Mrs. Franklin retired, she took
good care to secure everything she could.
She was afraid that he meant to steal So
she collected all her silver spoons, her silver
pepper-box, and porringer, and carried
them to her own room. Moreover, she
put fork over the latch Of the parlor door
so that he could not ge. out, and charged
her negro man to sleep with his clothes on,
and besides, to take great club to bed
with him. If be made the least noise,
she told the negro man, seize him and call
for assistance. She then went to bed with
her maid, whom she compelled to sleep in
her room.
Mrs. franklin rose very early, reused
her domestics, and at length unfastened
the parlor door. She looked in to see if
he was ssere. he was fast asleep.
She now felt almost ashamed to think
she had been so suspicious. She awakened
him, and bid lin good morning, asked
how he rested, and invited him to stay and
eat breakfast with her, which she took at
an earlier hour than her boa-iers did
When they were seated at the table, she
said to him, Pray, sir, as you appear to
be stranger here, to what dis.an: country
10 you belong?' al, madam, belong to
he city Of Philadelphia" At the mention
# Philadelphia, the old lady started.
Philadelphia said she, "do you belong
o PHILADELPHIA" 81 do, madam" said ,
lie. She seemed now to be deeply inter-
sted. Perhaps you know" said she,
our Ben" "Who, madam ?" "Why, ,
,en Frauklin-my Ben-Oh. he is the
earest child that ever blest a mother" .
What" said be, "is Ben Franklin, the :
rinter, your son? why, he is my dearest
rieni; he and lodge in the same ROOM t
Oh"' exclaimed the old lady, ''forgive .
ae-have suffered friend of my dear
'enny to sleep all night in a hard chair, 5
'hile l slept on good bed ?" t
Franklin now laughed. He told his a
nother who be was. l do not know what y
be old lady said. But dare say she al n
lost scolded at him, for playing such a /
rick. l presume, however, she forgave O
i'm, and forgot all that was past in the
oy at again seeing her dear Ben. 10 /
inson's anecdotes Of Franklin. .