Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-06-27
GBe family Girtle.
FRANKLIN AND HIS MOTHER.

cognise her children, even though she had
lost her recollection of their features
And on visit to his native town of Bos-
ton, after an absence of many years. he
determined to ascertain by experiment,
whether his theory was correct or not.
On bleak and chilly day in the month
of January, the Doctor, late in the after
noon, knocked at the door of his mothers
house, and asked to speak with Mrs.
Franklin. He found the old lady knit
ting before the Parlor fire. He intro
duced himself observing that he under
stood she entertained travellers, requested
lodging for the night.
She eyed him with that cold look of re-
probation which most people assume who
imagine themselves insulted by being sup
posed to exercise an employment which
they deem degree below their real occu
patton in life. She assured him that he
had been misinformed-tha she did not
keep tavern, nor did she keep house
to entertain strangers. It was true, she
added, that to oblige some members of the
Legislature, she took small number of
them into her family during the session;
that she had four members of the Council,
and six of the House of Representatives;
who then boarded with her--and that all
her beds were full
Having said this, she resumed her knit
ting with that intense application which
said as forcibly as action could-if you
have concluded your business, the sooner
you leave the house the better. But on
the Doctors wrapping his cloak about
him, affecting to SILVER, and observing
that the weather was very cold, she point
ed to chair and gave him leave to warm
himself
The entrance of boarders prevented all
further conversation. Coffee was soon
served, and he partook with the family.
To the coffee, according to the good old
custom of the times, succeeded plate OF
|pippins, pies, and paper of tobacco,
when the whole company formed cheer
full smoking semi-circle before the fire.
Perhaps no man ever possessed colo
quail powers In more fascinating degree
than DR.. Franklin; and never was there
occasion on which he displayed them to
better advantage than the present one
|
the solidity of his remarks, instructing
them by the varied, new and striking
lights in which he placed his subjects, and
delighted them with apt illustrations and
amusing anecdotes.
Thus employed, the hours passed merily
along until supper was announced. Mrs.
| Franklin, busted with her household af-
fairs, supposed the intruding stranger had
left the house Immediately after coffee ,and
it was with difficulty she saw him seat him
self at the table with the freedom of the
family
Immediately after supper, she called an
elderly gentleman, member of the Coun-
Gil, in whom she was accustomed to con-
fide, to another room. complained bitterly
of the rudeness of the stranger, told the
manner of his ,intradnctinn to her hnnse-
observed that he seemed like an outland-
ish sort of a man. She thought he had
something very suspicious in his appear
ance, and she concluded by soliciting her
friends advice as to the way in which she
could most easily rid herself Of his pres
ence. The old gentleman assured her that
the stranger was surely young man of
good education-that, perhaps, being in
agreeable company, he paid no attention
to the lateness Of the hour. He advised
her to call the stranger aside and repeat
her inability to lodge him. She accord
ingly sent her maid to him, and with as
much complacency as she could command,
she recapitulated the situation of her fam
lily, observed that it grew late, and mildly
intimated that he would do we'll to seek
lodgings.
The Doctor replied that he would by no
means incommode her family, but with her
leave he would smoke one more pipe with
her boarders, and then retire.
He turned to the company, filled his
pipe, and with the first Whit his CONVEX
sational powers returned with double
force. He recounted the harships endured
by their ancestors; he extolled their piety,
virtue and devotion to religious freedom
The subject of the days debate in the
House of Representatives was mentioned
by one of the members. A bill had been
introduced to extend the perogatives of
the governor. The Doctor Immediately
joined in the discussion, supported the col
lonial rights with new and forciblc argu-
.ments, was familiar with the names of the
influential men in the House when Dudly
was governor; recited their speeches, and
applauded their noble defence of the char
ter of rights.
During discourse so appropriately in
teresting to the delighted company, no
wonder the clock struck eleven upper
ceiyed by them. Nor was it wonder
that the patience of Mrs. Franklin became
exhausted. She now entered the room
and addressed the Doctor before the whole
company, with warmth glowing with
determination to be her own protectoress.
She told him plainly that she had friends
who wonld defend her, and insisted that
he should Immediately leave the house.
The Doctor made slight apology and
deliberately put on his great coat and
hat, took polite leave of the company,
and approached the street door, attended
by the mistress and lighted by the maid.
While the Doctor and his companions
had been enjoying themselves within, a
most tremendous storm of wind and rain
had occurred without, and no sooner had
the maid lifted the latch, than roaring
northeaster forced open the door, extin-
gushing the light, and almost filled the
entry with drifted snow and hail AS