The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-04-15


outlandish sort Of a man. She thought
he had something very suspicious in his
appearance, and she concluded by solic-
ting her friends advice as to the way
she could most easily rid herself Of his
presence. The old gentleman assured
her that the stranger was surely young
man of good education, and TO all appear
ances, gentleman-that, perhaps, being
in agreeable company, he paid no atten-
ton to the lateness of the hour. He ad-
vised 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 we'll to
seek lodgings.
The Doctor replied that he would by
no means incommode the 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 quiif his conver-
sational powers returned with double
force. He recounted the hardships en-
dured by their ancestors, lie extolled
their piety, virtue and devotion to relig-
ious 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
prerogatives of the royal governor. The
Doctor Immediately joined in the dis,
cussion, supported the colonial rights
with new and forcible arguments, was
familiar with the names of the influential
men in the House when Dudley was gov
ernor, recited their speeches, and ap.
plauded their noble defence Of The char
ter Of rights.
During discourse SO appropriately
interesting to the delighted company, no
wonder the clock struck eleven unper-
ceived by them. Nor was it wonder
that the patience of Mrs. Franklin be-
came entirely exhausted. She now en-
tered the room and addressed the Doctor
before the whole company, with a
warmth glowing with determination 10
be her own protectress. She told him
plainly that she thought herself imposed
on, but that she had friends who would
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 leave Of the company. and ap.
preached the street door, attended bv 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 bad
the maid lifted the latch than roaring
norlheaster forced open the door, extin
guished the ligGt, and almost filed the
entry with drifted snow and hail. AS
soon as the candle was relighted, the
Doctor cast a woefu look toward tht
door and thus addressed his mother
my dear madam, can you turn m'
out in this storm | am stranger il
this town and will perish in the streets
You look like charitable LADY, shoulC
not think that you could turn dog from
your house this cold and stormy night
), Don't talk of charity !" replied hi
mother, " charity begins at home. 1t il
your own fault, not mine, that you hay,
carried SO long. To be plain with you
Sir, do not like either your looks O
conduct, and fear you have some bad de
: sign in thus intruLing yourself into M
family"
The wrath of this parly had drawn th,
company from the parlor, and by-thei
united interference the stranger was pre-
mitted to lodge in the house, and as n,
bed could be bad. lie consented to res
in the easy chair before the parlor fire.
Though the boaders appeared 10 con
fide in the strangers honesty, il was no
so with Mrs. Franklin. With suspicion
caution she collected her silver spoons
! pepper-box and porringer from her clos
/ eI, aud after securing her paror door b
sticking fork over the latch, carried th
valuabes to her chamber. charging th
negro man TO sleep with his clothes oil
to take the great cleaver to bed with hin
, aud TO waken and seize the vagrant
: the FIRST noise be should make in atlemp
! ing to plunder.
e Mrs. Franklin rose before the su,
: reused the domestics, and was qui
agreeably surprised TO find her territ
i guest quietly sleeping in his chair 81