The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1855-02-01

Thus employed, the hours passed mer-
rily along until supper was announced
Mrs. Franklin, busted with her household
: affairs, supposed the intruding stranger
had left the house Immediately after coffee,
!, an1i was with difficulty she saw him seat
+ himself at the table with the freedom of a
member of the family.
Immediately after supper, she called an
+ elderly gentleman, member of the Coun-
Gil, in whom she was accustomed to confde,
TO another room, complained bitterly of the
rudoRess Of the stranger, told the manner
! of his introduction to her house, observed
that he seemed like an outlandish sort of
a man. She thought he had something
very suspicious u his appearance; and she
concluded by soliciting her friends advice
as to the way in which she could most
easily rid herself ofhis presence The old
gentleman assured her that the stranger
was surely ayoung man OF good education,
and, all appearances, gentleman-that,
perhaps, being in agreeable company, he
paid no attention TO the lateness of tie
hour. He advised her to call the stranger
aside and repeat her inability to lodge him.
She accordingly sent her maid to him, and
with as much complacency as she could
command, she recapitulated the situation
of her family, observed that it grew late,
and mildly intimated he would do well 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 returned to the company, filed his
pipe, and with the first Whit his conversa-
tional powers returned with double force.
He recounted the hardshps endured by
their ancestors; he extolled. their piety,
virtue and devotion to religious freedom.
Tho subject of the days debate in the
House Representatives was mentioned
by one of the members. A bill had been
introduced to extend the prerogatives of
the royal governor. The Doctor immedi-
ately joined in the discussion, supported
the colonial rights with new and forcible
arguments, was familiar with the names of
the influential menin the Housewhen Dud-
ley was governor; reci;ed their speeches,
and appauded their noble defense of the
charter Of rights.
During discourse so appropriately in
teresting to the delighted company, no
wonder the clock struck eleven unperceiv-
ed by them. Nor was it a wonder that
the patience of Mrs. Franklin became en-
tirely exhausted. She now entered the
room and addressed the Doctor before the
whole company, with warmth glowing
with determination to be her own pro-
tectress. She told him plainly that she
thought herself imposed on, but that she
had friends who would defend her, and in
sisted that he should Immediately leave
the house.
The Doctor made slight apology and
deliberately puton his great coat and hat,
took polite leave Of the company, and ap-
preached the street door, attended by the
mistress and lighted by the maid.
While the Doctor and bis 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
north forced open the door, extin-
guished the light, and almost filled the en-
Try with drifted snow and hail. AS soon
as the candle was relighted, the Doctor
cast Woful look toward the door and thus
addressed his mother: s.
My dear madam, can you turn me out
in this storm? am a stranger in this
town and will perish in the street. You
look like charitable LADY, should not
think that you could turn dog from your
house this cold and stormy night
Don't talk Of charity, replied his moth
er; charity begins at home. 1t is your
own fault not mine, that you have tarried
so long To be plain with you, sir, do
not like either your looks or your conduct,
and fear yoa have some bad design in thus
|inlruding yourself into my family
The warmth of this parley had drawn
the company from the parlor, and by their
united interference the stranger was per-
mitted to lodge in the house; and as no bed
could be had, he consented to rest in the
easy chair before the parlor fire.
Though The boarders appeared to con-
fide in the strangers honesty, it was not so
with Mrs. Franklin. With suspicious cau
ton she collected her silver spoons, pep
per-box and porringer from her closet, and
after securing her parlor door by sticking
a fork over the latch, carried the valu.
ables to her chamber, charging the negro
man to sleep with his clothes on, to take
the great cleayer to bed with him, and to
waken and seize tie vagrant at the first
noise he should make in attempting to plum
der. 81.
Mrs. Franklin rose before the sun, rous-
ed the domestics, and was quite agreeably
surprised to find her terrific guest quietly
sleeping in his chair. She awoke him with
cheerful good morning; inquired how he
had rested, and invited him to partake of
her breakfast, which was always served
previous to that of her boarders.
'And pray, sir, said Mrs. Franklin, 'as
you appear to be a stranger in Boston, to
what distant country do you belongP
Il belong, madam, to the colony of Penn
sylvania, and reside in Philadelphia
AT the mention of Philadelphia, the doc
tor declared he for the first time perceived
something like emotion in her.
Philadelphia said she, while the ear
nest anxiety of mother sutfused her eye;
|