The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-08-22

He recounted the hardships endured by
their ancestors, extolled their piety, virtue
aud devotion TO religious freedom. The
subject of the days debate IN the Uonse of
Representatives was mentioned by ono of
the members, A bill had beeu introduced
to extend the prerogatives of the royal gov
emor. The Doctor immediately joined in
the discussion, supported tho colonial
rights with new and forciblc arguments,
was familiar with the uamos of tho inilueu-
tial mcu in the House when Dudley was
Governor; reoited their speeches, aud APP
plaudcd thoir noble defense Of tho charter
Of rights.
During a discourse so appropriately in
terestiug TO the delighted company, no won
der the clock struck olovon unpcrceivcd by
them, Nor was II u wonder that the pa
lience of Mrs. franklin became entirely ex-
hausted. She now entered the room and
addressed the Doctor before the whole com
pany with warmth glowing with deter
minatiou TO be her own protecross, She
told him plainly that she thought herself
imposed upon. but chat she had friends who
would defend her, aud insisted that ho
should immediately leave the house.
The Doctor made slight apology, and
deliberately put on his great coat aud hat,
took a polite leave of the company, aud APP
|
mistress and lighted by the maid.
| While the Doctor aud his companions had
been onioyiug themselves within, most
tremendous storm of wind aud rain had
occurred without, aud no sooner had the
maid lifted tho latch, than roaring north
easter forced open the door, eXtnguishng
the light, and almost filled the entry with
driftcd snow aud hail. AZ soon as the
candle was relighted, the Doctor cast u wo.
full look towards the door and thus a6-
dressed his mother:
"My dear madam, can you turn me out
in this storm? am stranger in this
town, and will perish in the street. You
look like charitable LADY, shoull not
think that you could turn even dog froL
your house this cold and stormy night"
Don't talk Of charity" replied his moth
or; "charity begins at home. 1t is your
own fault, not mine that you have tmried
so long. To be plain with you, sir, do not
like either your looks or your conduct, an
| fear that you have some bad design in
thus intruding Yourself iuto my family"
The wrath of this parley had drawn the
company from the parlor, and by their uni
ted interference the stranger wac permit
ted to lodge in the house, and as no bed
could be had, he consented to rest in the
easy chair before the pailor fire.
Though the boardcrs appeared to confdc
in the strangers honesty, it was not so with
Mrs. Franklin. With suspicious caution
she collected her silver spoons, pepper-buX
and porringer from her closet and after
securing her parlor door by sticking fork
over the latch. carried the valuables to her
chamber, charging the negro to sleep with
his clothes on, to take the great cleavcr to
bed with him, and to walien and seize the
vagrant at tho irat noise he should make u
attempting to plunder.
Mrs. Franklin rose before the sun. reused
the domestics, and was quite agreeably sur
prised to find her terrific guest quietly
sleeping in his chaiy. She awoke him with
a cheerful good morning, inquired how he
had rested, aud invited him to partake of
her breakfast, which was always served
previous to that of her boarders.
Z" And pray, sir" said Mrs. Franklin, as
you appear to be stranger in Boston, to
what distant country do you bclongY q
/" belong, madam, to the colony of Penn
sylvania, and resi- lie in Philadelphia"
At the mention of Philadelphia, the doe
tor declared he for the FIRST time perceived
something like emotion in her.
" Philadelphia! I" said she, while the car.
nest anxiety of a mother suilused her eye
why if you live in Philadelphia, perhaps
you know my son y
"\Nho madamP'
Z" Ben Franklin, my dear Ben. Oh, now
! would give the worl to see him lie is
the dearest son that ever blessed mother
What is Ben franklin, the printer, yoar
son? Why, he is my most intimate friend.
He and worked together aud lodged in
the same room"
"0h! Heaven forgive me exclaimed
the lady, raising her tearfnl eyes and
have ! suffered friend of my son Ben to
sleep upon this hard chair, while myself
rested OH soft bed"
Mrs. Franklin then told her unknown
guest that though he had been absent from
her ever since he was a child, she could
not fail to know him among thousand
strange faces for there was a natural feel
ing in the breast of every mother, which
she knew would enable her, without Tue
possibility of a mistake to recognize her
son in any Disguise he might assume.
Franklin doubted, and took leave TO dis
pute his mothers proposition on the power
of natural feeling. He said he had tried
this natural feeling in his own mother,
aud found it deficient in the power she as
cribed TO it,
4" Aud did your mother" inquired she,
"not know you? or il she did not seem to
know you, was there not in her kindness
to you an evidence that she saw something
Ia your appearance which was dear to her,
80 that she coull not resist treating you
with particular tenderness and affection ?"
"No, indeed" replied Franklin; "she
neither knew me, nor did she treat me with
the least symptom Of Kindness. She would
nave turned me out OF doors but for the in
tcrpositiou Of staugers. She could hardly
he persuaded 10 lei me sit at her table. !
knew was in my mothers house, and had
IA claim upon her hospitality; aud, there
fore, you may suppose, when she peremp-
torIly commanded me TO leave the house, /
was in no hurry TO obey"
g Surely interrupted his mother, she
could not have treated you so unmotherly
without some cause"
gave her none replied the doctor
She would tell you herself had always
been dutiin son-that she doated upon
me, and then when | came TO her house as
q stranger, my behavior was scrupulensly
correct and respectful. 1t was u stormy
night, aud had been absent SO long that
had become a stranger in the place. told
my mother this, and yet, 40 litlle was she
Influenced 10y that natural feeling, of which
you speak, that she absolutely refused me
a bed, and would hardly suffer what sho
called my presumption in taking a seat at
the table. But this was not the worst but
no sooHer was the supper ended than my
good mother told me with an ain OF solemn
earnestness, thai | must laave the house,
Franklin then ttrOceeled 10 describe the