The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-10-21
FRANKLIN AND ISIS MOTHER.


It was an idea Of Dr. Frarkliu's, if not a set
| lied opinion, that a mother might by kind Of
instinct Of natural affection, recognize her chI
ifen, even though size had lost The IecOil, ctlOu
II their features. Aud on a Wit 20 his uativ.
rown OF Boston, be- Determined 20 ascertain by
experiment whether his theory was correct or
/ not
On a bleak and chilly day in the month OF
January, the doctor, late in the afternoon
/ shocked At the door OF his mothers house, aud
t-ked 10 speak with Mrs Franklin. He found
he old lady knitting before the parlor fire. He
| introduced himself, and observing that he un
derstoOd she entertained travellers, reQuesfe ed
odgngs tor the night.
She eyed him with the cold look of disappro
baton which most people assume who imagine
| betnselves insuited 10y being supposed 70 eXer
| Else al employment which they deem degree
below their real occupation IN lie She a.
-urcd him he bad been misiuformed-she did
lut keep tavern nor did she keep a hoHse t.
-nte tair strangers IL Wa- true, she ad ed THAI
q Oblige some members OF the Legislature. she
ook small humber OF them intO her fam, du
iug the SESSION.. that she had tour members OF
lhe Council and six of the House OF Representa-
tives. Who then boarded with her and that ali
her beds were iul.
/
sith that intense application which said, as iorc
/ by as she could, II you have concluded you
business. the SOONER you leave the better. Buf
ai the doctor wrapping his cloak about him. at
iecung 10 shiver aud observing that the wealth
e. very cold. she pointed 10 chair and gave
\ inm leave fO warm himscH
The entrance OF The boarders prevented al
! further conversation. Coffee was served. an0
ne partook with the family. To the coffee, ac
cordlug TO the good old custom OF the times.
succeeded plate OF ppplns, pies, and a pape
4 toDac. o, when the whole company formed d
cheerful semi circle before the fte.
Perhaps no person ever possessed cOloqua
covers a more fascinating degree than DOctot
F.ankhu, and never vas there an occasion OF
shlch he displayed them 10 better advantag
ban the present one. he drew the attention O.
he company bv the soliIity OF his uodesr ,e
naik ks, insjrucUug them by the varied new anG
striking lights ia which he placed ais subjects.
and delighted them WITH apt illustrations auC
amusing anecdotes.
Thus employed, the hours passed merrill
dong until supper announced. Mrs Frank
Iu. busted WIN her hou. ehOld affair, suppO-eu
\ the iutrudug stranger had lett the house imme-
nately after coffee, aud It was with dislike ST.,
saw him seat himself al the table with the free
ION o. a member OF the family.
Immediately after supper she called an eder,
| gentleman, "A m, mOer OF the Council in whom
she was accustomed TO couhde into suothe'
Dom, complained bi teriy OF the rudeness of u,
| stranger, told the manner OF his Introduction l.,
ner house and observed that he seemed al out
ludsh sort of man. She thought he haO
-omethng very suspicious IN his appearance, auC
| size concluded by soliciting her friends advice a.
| o the way she could most easily rid herself O
| NJ
hat tie stranger was surely a young man o.
good education and, to all appearances, gen
.lenan-thAt perhaps being M agreeable com
pauv he paid no attention 20 the laleuess OF the
| nour. He advised her 10 Call the stranger aside
tud repeat her Inability 10 lodge him. She ac
| cOfdingly sent her maid TO hun, and with a,
much cOmplaceucy a. she could command, sh,
fecspiiulated the situation OF her family, observed
! lhat 70 gre~ laie, aud mildly lntlmaied he wOult
10 well 10 seek lodgings.
The Doctor repned mat he would by no means
accommodate the family, but with her leave b,
~oud smoke Que more pipe with her bOarders
aud then retire.
He returned to the company, filed his pipe
! aud with the first Whit bis Conversational pow
ers returned with douoe force. He recouuteC
The hardshipS endured by their ancestOIs-he ex
lOlled their plety, virtue and devotion 10 rehg
lOus freedom. The subject OF the day deoat
IN the House OF Representatives, was mentiOne,
~ one OF the members. bill had been intro
iuced 70 extend the prerogarve OF the roya
Governor. Tue Doctor immediately joined u
tie discussion, supY Yorted The Colonial II ghts Wit
new iorciOe arguments, was familiar Nth Ia
names OF the Influential meu IN tne House whe
Dudley was GOveruor, Iecited their speeches al
AZ; lauded heir noble defence OF their characte
iud rights.
| Durng discourse so appropriately interest
ng 20 the del gated company, no woBder IN
-ocS struck uuprrceived D., them. Nor
a wonder that fhe patience OF Ms. Franklin be
Game entirely exhausted. She now entered IN
Dom snd addressed the Doctor before the whOl
cou any, WIKI a warmth glowing with a determ
alton 10 be her O~n prOtec-seSs Sue told h.I
1 PLAINLY that Sue tbougGt hvrzeh imposed upOf
Out thai she had iriends that would defend nei
aud Insisted that be should immediately leave 10
0Ouse.
The Doctor made slight apology and delibe
ratey put Oh his grea, coat aud hat; took leav
Ot the company aud approached the door, stteI
led by tie mistress ana l4hted 0y the msd.
= W bile tAe Doctor aud his companions ha
o been erjosing themselves within, q most tr,
meudou- storm OF ~iud AID ram had occurre,
aud 10 soouer had the maid lifted tie laich tia
e roaring uorth-esster iofced open the door, e;
q inguished she hight, and almost filed the emu
4 ~un dnited snow aud hall As sOon a. the ca
5 die was reiIshssd, the Doctor cast a woeiul loo
e toward the door, aud thus addressed his mother
Y Ny dear madam, can yoa turn me GUS
i- this -IOsm; / am stranger la TINS to~n Al
l. sill perish IN the street. You look ike a cha
table w0mau-I should NOT think that YOU cou
turn a dog from your house this cold and stOru
night"
"Don's talk OF Charity :" replied his mothe