Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-12-24
Franklln's Visit to his Mother.

III DoS'oH. '>oc WIS jaite aH Oiu "Oii1
She had not seen her son for several year
lie had not found it convenient to pay b.
visit But nov lie though. he would g
When he came near to Boston, h
thought that be would not, at first, :ell he
who he was. He wishcl 10 see if sh
would know him. He had no reason I
think she would, for he bad altered not
little since she ha! seen him. Frankli
had an idea however, that she nj sht; nc
because she wonld rccn'ect his features
but perhaps from kiu! Of instinct. II
was not certain but thst there was some
thing about mother, which would enabl
her to know son, even if she could no
trace his former features very closely.
With this in view, when be arrived i;
Boston he went to the house where hi
mother lived twas sour, chilly day il
the mouth Of January. He knocked a
the door, and asked to speak with Mrs
Franklin. He was bid walk in. Wher
be entered he found his mother sitting be
fore the parlor FIRE knitting. He did not
laugh, nor even smile, but kept his count
enance, aud told her that he understood
that she entertained travellers, and that a;
he was traveller, he wished she would en-.
tertain him, and let him have q nights
lodging.
The old woman dropped her knitting
work, and looking at him, through her
spectacles, told him that he had been mis-
informed-that she did not keep tavern,
though, to oblisc some members Of the
General Court, she took number Of them
into her family while they stayed in town.
Franklin told her that be wished she would
oblge him also, aud let him stay there
that night, as it was then late in the after
noon.
This the old lady refused. She said
her beds were all full, and she could not
take any more. Upon this she again took
her work, and went to knitting; as much
as to say, "You may now 60 and find
lodgings somewhere else"
franklin said he was cold, and, with her
,, leave, he woad take chair aud warm him
self by her Ere. She pointed to chair,
and gave him leave. He then sat down,
and now and then looked at his mother,
to see if she took any notice Of him. But
in this be was disappointed. She scarcely
moved, and seldom appeared even to notice
him.
About this time, her boarders came in.
Coffee was soon brought in, and Franklin
took cup with the rest. do not know
that the old lady asked him to take any
but be did take one 1t used to be Gus
tom, in those days, after coffee Or tea, to
hand round apples, and then pipes and
tobacco. This was now.d Franklin
took pipe, and all the gentlemen went to
smoking and talking.
As yet be had not said much. But
now he began to enter into conversation
with the gentlemen present. He was a
man who shone very much in conversation,
around a good fire. All the gentlemen
were delighted to hear him. He appeared
to be man of great sense. He told seve-
raj stories which gave them much pleasure.
In this way the time passed merrily
along, until it was eight o'clock in the
evening. Just as the clock struck, sup
per was announced. They used then to
drink coffee about sun-down, and have
supper at eight or nine o'clock. Mrs.
Franklin always had hers at precisely 8.
Franklin walked out with the rest and
took scat at the table. Mrs. Franklin
felt almost angry. She thought he bad
been gone long time, as she had quilted
the room where the gentlemen were some
hours before. She was upon the point Of
speaking to him, and telling him that she
thought he was very rude man. But
she kept her temper, and let it pass.
When supper was ended, she called one
of the gentlemen aside-I believe it was
one Of the Council, and a very good old
man, and told him the story. She CON-
planned about the stranger, and said she
thought he was rude, outlandish man.
She asked the gentleman in what way she
could get rid Of him.
The old gentleman told her that he did
not know who he was, but that he GER
tainly was man Of good education, and
appeared extremely well. lie said she had
better call him aside, and tell him again,
that she was unable to lodge him. Accor-
dinghy she sent her maid, and asked him
to step out. She then told him what she
had said in the afternoon, anu advised him,
as it was growing late, to 60 and find a
lodging at some other place.
Franklin replied that he would give her
no trouble, but that he hoped she would
give him leave to smoke one more pipe,
after which he would retire. He then re-