The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-02-20


into another room, complained bitterly @
the ruceness of the stranger, told the man
ner of his introduction to her house. an
{. observed that he seemed an outlandish so,
Of man. She thought he had somethin
very suspicious in his appearance. and sh
concluded by soliciting her friends advic
as to the way she could most easily ri'
herself OF his presence. The old gentlemai
assured her that the stranger was surely
, young man OF good education. aud. to al
appearances, a gentIeman-that, perhaps
being in agreeable company, he paid no at
tention to the lateness of the hour HI
advised her to call the stranger aside, and
repeat her inability to lodge him. She ac
cordingly sent her maid to him, and with
as much complacency as she could com
mand. she recapitula' ed the situation of heu
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 he,
leave he would smoke one more pipe with
her boarders, and then retire.
He returned to the company, filled his
! pipe, and with the first Whit his converse T.
tional powers returned with double force -
He recounted the hardships endured by
their ancestors. he extolled their piety. vir.
tue 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 prorogative of the royal Gov.
ernor. The doctor Immediately Joined in
the discussion. Supported the colonial rights
with new and iorcible argumen.s, was
familiar with the names Of the influential
men in the House when Dudley was Gov.
ernor, recited their speeches and applsuded
their noble defence Of the charter Of rights.
During discourse SO appropriately inter-
esting to the delighted company, no wonder
the clock struck unperceived by them. Nor
was it q wonder that the patience of Mrs.
Franklin became entirely exhausted. She
now entered the room and addressed the
doctor before the whole company. with q
warmth glowing with a deermin alton to be
her own pIotectress. 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 approached
the street door. attended by the mistress
and lighted by the maid
While the doctor aud his companions had
been enjoying themselves within a most
storm Of wind and rain had oc-
Cured, and no sooner had the maid lifted
the latch than q roaring northeaster forced
open the door, extinguished the light. and
almost filed the entry with drifted snow and
hail. As soon as the candle was relighted.
the doctor cast a woeful look toward the
door and thus addressed his mother:
my dear madam, can you turn me out
in this storm? l am stranger in this
town and will perish in the street. You
ook like charitable lady--I should not
.hink that you could turn dog from your
house this cold and stormy night"
80 Don't talk Of charity y replied his mo-
her, charity begins at home. 1t is your
'wn fault, not mine. that you have tsrried
o long. To be plain with you. sir. do
ot like either your looks or conduct, and
ear you have some bad design in thus in.
ruding into my family"
The wrath of this parley had drawn the
ompany from the parlor, and by their uni
ID interference the stranger was permitted
, lodge in the house, and as no bed could
Q had he consented to rest in an easy chair
efore the parlor fire.
Though the boarders appeared to confide
J the strangers honesty, it was not so with
lrs. Franklin. With suspicious caution she I
objected her silver spoons. pepper-box and
orringer, from her closets. and after secur.
ng her parlor door by sticking a fork over
he latch. carried the valuables to her cham
er. charging the negro man to sleep with
rs clothes on, to take the great cleaver to
'ed with him, and to waken ani seize the
nP INT of ttof frrct hno h.,
attempting to plunder.
Mrs. Franklin rose before the sun, reused
he domestics, and was quite agreeably sur
'rised to lind her guest quietly sleeping in
lis chair. She awoke him with a cheerful
rood morning. inquired how he rested and
nvlted him to partake of her breakfast,
which was always served previous to that
f her boarders.
as you appear to be a stranger in Boston,
o what distant country DO you bslon ="
al belong, madam, to the colony of
and reside in Philadelphia. a."
AT the mention of Philadelphia, the doc
or declared that he for the first time per-
,eived something like emotion In her.
PhiIaieIphs - said she, while the
earnest anxiety of mother sntfused her
'ye, "why if you live in Philadelphia, per-
aaps you know my Ben -
Who. madam 2
'' Ben Franklin. Ny dear Ben Oh!
how would give the world to see him -
He is the dearest son that ever blessed q
mother"
What is Ben Franklin the printer.
gour sou ? Why. he is my most intimate
friend. He and I worked together aud
odged together in the same room"
.'Oa heaven forgive me l. exclaimed
he lady raising her fearful eyes. land /
nave suffered friend of my son Ben to
sleep upon this hard chair, while myself
-esed on q soft bed -
Mrs. Franklin then told her unknown
,uest that though he had been absent from
Ter ever since he WAS a child, she could not
all to know him among q thousand strange
aces, for there was a natural feeling in the
breast OF every mother. which she knew
would enable her without possibility of a