The Wrangell sentinel., 1924-12-11
THE AMOURS OF BENJA.
 MIN FRANKLIN

A FTER having Mved-though hap "A oily enough-with his good wife "Debby" for half a century, one can hardly blame Franklin for falling h love with fascinating French widow when 1t Is borne In mind that he used to receive letters from '.Debby" like the one following:
 My dear Child: I have bin verey much distrest aboute you as l did not aney letter nor one word from you nor did l hear one word from oney bodey that you wrote to so l must submit and inde(O to submit to what l am to bair I did write to Capt Folkner to you but he Is gon down and when read 1t over did not like 1t and so if this donte send It l shante like 1t as donte send you ansy news now l don't go abrod.
 "Your c fsckshone wife,
 ID. Franklin"
 The. French widow was Madame Helvetius. the wife of the wellknowp philosopher. The salon of Madame was a famous one in Paris, in spite of the fact that she was getting along in years. and when Franklin visited the French capitol he was naturally brought to this meeting place of wit and fashion, A strong affection sprung up between the great American and Madame Helvetius, and one that scaadalized his own people A piquant view of the affair from this angle was given by Abigail Adams. wife of President Adams. in a letter home. Part of this communication follows:
 "She entered the room with a care less. sweeping air; upon seeing the ladies, who were strangers to her, she bawled out. 'Ah, mon Dieu. where Is Tranklin7 Why did you not tell ne there were ladies herer You must suppose her speaking all this in French. How lookr said she, talk. ing hold of chemise made of tiffany which she had on over a blue ute string, and which looked as much uoon the decay as her own beauty fer she was once handsome woman {; her hair was frixxled; over 1t she had . small straw hat with 2 dirty gauge half-handkerchief around 1t. and 8 bit of dirtier gau%e than ever mA maids wore bowed on behind. She ran out of the room and when she re turned the Doctor entered at one door and she at the other; upon which she ran forward to him, gave him . double kiss. one upon each cheek, and another upon his forehead When he went into the room to dine shs was placed between the Doctor and MT. Adams. She carried on the chief conversation at dinner. frequent. ly locking her hands into the Dec teCs; and sometimes spreading hei arms upon the backs of both gentle mems chairs. then throwing her arms carelessly upon the Doctors neck."'
 Of Frsnklin's affectienate core spondence with Madame Helvetius the following is . brief sample. sent in reply to an appointment made with him by the lady, the rende<vous being . place called "Turgot's."
 "Ar. Franklin never forgets m. party at which Madame Helvetius Is sxpected He even believes. that ii he were engaged to 20 to Paradls, this morning he would pray for per mission to remain on earth until half. past one in order to receive the em brace promised him at Turgots"
 Before his marriage to Debby Tfanklin was involved In another love affair which resulted In the birth of . natural son, William. Iris child. vas taken into Franklin's home which. as historians have observed, was rather ( peculiar wedding present for his wife. The boy was brought up byI krs. Franklin as her own child and the father did all he could for him eventually making him governor of New Jersey.