Year: 1863




settled opinion, that mother might, by
q kind ofinstinct natural affection, recog-
nizs her children. even though she had
lost the recollection Of the features. And on
visit to bis native town Of Boston, he
determined to ascertain by experiment
whether his theory was correct or not.


On bleak and chilly day in the month
of january; the Doctor. late in the after
noon. knocked on the door of his mothers
house, and asked to speak with Mrs Frank
lin. He found the old lady knitting before
the parlor fire. He introduced himself.
and observing that he understood she en-.
tsrtained travellers, requested lodgings for
the night.


She eyed him with that cold look Of dis
appreciation which most people assume
who imagine themselves insultsd by being
supposed to exercise an employment which
they ceom below their real occupation in
life. She assured him he had been mis-
informcd--shs did not keep tavern. nor
did she keep house to entertain stran-
gers. 1t was true she added. that to oblige
some members Of the legislature, she took
q small number OF them into her family
during the session; that she had four mem
bers of the Coucil and six of the House of
Representa- ives, who thsn boarded with
her, and that all her beds were full.


Having said this she resumed her knit
ting with that intense application which
said. as forcibly as she could. if you have
concluded your business, the sooner you
leave the better. But on the Doctors
wrapping his cloak about him, affecting to
shiver, and observing that the weather was
very cold. she pointed to q chair. and ga We
him leave to warm himself.


The entrance of boarders prevented all
furt her conversation. Coffee was served,
and he partook with the family. To the
coffee, according to the good old custom of
the times, succeeded plate of pippins,
pies, and paper Of tobacco, when the
whole company formed a cheerful semi
circle before the FIRE.


Perhaps no man ever possessed colloqni
al powers in . more fascinating degree
than DIR. Franklin. and never was there an
occasion on which he displayed them to
better advantage than the present one
He drew the attention of the company by
the solidity of his modest remarks, in
structing them by the varied, new and
striking lights in which he placed his sub
jects, and delighted them with apt illustra-
tion and amusing anecdotes.


Thus employed the hours passed mer-
rily along until supper was announced
Mrs. Franklin, busted with her household
affairs. supposed the intrnding stranger
hal Iaft ba a lfofa al off ha
coffee. and it was with dislike she saw him
sea. himself at the table with the freedom
Of member of the family.


Immediately after supper she called An
elderly gentleman, member of the coun-
Gil in whom she was accustomed to con6de.
into another room, complained bitterly
of the rudeness Of the stranger, told the
manner of his introduction to her house.
and observed that he seemed an outl~ndish
sort of man. She thought ae had some
thing very suspicious in his appearance,
and she concluded by soliciting her friends
advice as to the way she could most easily
rid herself of his presence. The old gen.
tleman assured her that the stranger was
surely young man Of good education, and.
to all appearances. q gentleman--that.
perhaps, being in agreeable company. he
paid no attention to the lstsness of the
hour. He advised her to call the stanger
aside and repeat her inability to lodge him.
She accordingly sent her maid to him.
and with as much complacsncy as she could
command. she recapitulated the situation
of her 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 incommodc the family. but with
her leave hs would smoke one more pipe
with her boarders. and then retire.


Ho returned to the company, filled
his pipe. and with the first Whit his con-
versational powers returned with double
force. He recounted the hardships endured
by their ancestors, he extollcd their piety.
virtue and devotion to religious freedom.
The subject of the days debate in tho
House of Representatives was mentioned
by one of the members. A bill had been
introduced to extend the prerogstive of the
royal Governor. The Doctor immediate
ly joined in the discussion. supported the
colonial rights with new and forcible ar
guments. was familiar with the names Of
the influential men in the House when
Dudley was Governor, recited their speech
es. and applaudsd their noble defence Of
the charter of rights.


During discourse so appropriately In
tercsting to the delighted company. no
wonder the clock struck unperceived by
them. Nor was il wonder that the pa
thence of Mrs. Franklin became entirely
exhausted. She now entered the room
and addressed the Doctor before the whole
company. with . warmth glowing with q
determination to be her own protectress.-
She told him plainly that she thought
herselfimposed on, but that she had friends
who would defend her, and insisted that
he should Immediately leave the honse.
The Doctor made slight apology and
deliberately put on his great coat and hat;
took leave of the company. and approach
Ell The street door, atteaded by the mis-
tress and lighted by the maid. sni''
I While the doctor snd his companions
had been enjoying themselves within. .
! most tremendous storm Of wind and rain
had occurred. and no sooner had the maid
lifted the latch than roaring north-easter
forced open the door, extinguished the
light. and almost flied the entry with
diriftel snow and hail. As soon Is the
candle was relightsd. the doctor casts woe
4 n - L. III