The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-06-06

years of age. SO engaging was he, and
so rooted to the hearts of his parents,
that Franklin declared, thirty-six years
after, he could never think Of him with
out sigh. When the reader visits the
grave OF Franklin, in Christ Church
burying ground in Philadelphia, he will
observe near it little stone, not two
feet high, which Franklin placed over
the grave of his boy. He added to the
usual inscription these words: :" The
delight of all who knew him." Their
only other child, Sarah, grew to woman
hood, inheriting and transmitting her
mothers beauty.
During the first fifteen years of their
married life, Franklin spent most OF his
time in England as agent for the colo
MES. Such was her dread of the ocean
that she could never be persuaded to ac-
company him or pay him visit. Dur
ing his absence she took care OF all his
affairs better, in some respects, than he
could have done himself.
BY almost every ship she sent him
American nuts, apples, and other pro.
ducts, and he sent her in return all
sorts of rare and beautiful things in
fabric and household furniture, such as
sets of china, articles of silverware,
table-cloths, tea-trays, blankets, silk
for dresses, and any curious house
held implement which he thought might
be useful. On one occasion he sent her
large, handsome beer Jug.
8" fell in love with it, he told her,
6" at first sight, for thought it looked
like a fat, Jolly dame, clean and tidy,
with neat blue calico gown on, good
natured and lovely, and put me in mind
of-somebody."
To make the jug more welcome, he
filed it with pretty little coffee cups
packed in salt.
During the Stamp act troubles of
1865, when the false report reached
Philadelphia that her husband had ia
vored the odious measure, the mob
threatened to sack his house. On this
occasion she proved herself worthy to
be the wife of Pennsylvania represent
ative. The Governor entreated her to
take refuge in his own house at Bur-
lington, and all her friends urged her
to go.
For nine days, she says, people kept
persuading her to leave her house. At
length she let her daughter go to Bur
lington; but as for herself, she would
not bulge.
"Im very sure" said she, that my
husband has done nothing to hurt any
body, nor have L given offense to any
person at all, nor will l be made uneasy
by anybody. L will not stir nor show
the least uneasiness. But, if anybody
comes to disturb me, will show a prop
er resentment"
And, indeed she armed and fortified
her house, stationed her brother and
cousin below with guns and ammuni-
ton, and, mounting guard up stairs
herself, prepared to defend her abode.
The storm blew over; very soon the
truth respecting her husbands conduct
was known.
For forty years Benjamin Franklin
and Deborah Read were united in mar
riage.
She lived to see her husband the most
honored of Americans on both CONT
nents, and she lived to see her daughter
suitably united to merchant of Phila-
delphia, Richard Bache. Her last years
were greatly cheered by her beautiful
grandchildren.
She had the happiness of escaping the
anxieties and terror of the Revolution
airy war. She died in December, IVA,
with only one regret-that she could
not live to see her husband again. In
deed, she had been for ten years long
ing and pining for his return but the
pressing business of the colony still de-
tanned him, and she died at last when
he was making his preparation for his
homeward voyage. Her body was borne
to the grave by some of Franklin's old
est friends, men who had known them
when, forty-four years before, they had
begun housekeeping, and ate their
breakfast on bread and milk.
There were scarcely any women at
that period who were what we now call
educated, and the letters of Mrs. Frank
lin show that she was not gifted in the
use of the pen. But she was faithful
and affectionate wife, friend and help
mate to her husband, who was enabled
to devote himself to the public service
because he had mt home wife compe-
tent and willing to take charge of affairs
in his absence.