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16
Läsebok X:o 27
old gentleman assured ner that she need not be under any
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alarm, that the stranger was a man of education and
agreea-ble manners, and was, probably, unaware of the lateness of
the hour. He added, that it would be well to call him aside,
and repeat to him that she was unable to give him lodgings.
She, accordingly, sent her maid to him, and then repeated the
account of their situation; observed that it grew låte, and
gently hinted that he would do well to seek out other
accommodations. The stranger replied, that he would be very
sorry to put her to anv inconvenience, and would retire after
smoking one more pipe with her boarders. He returned to
the company, lilled his pipe, and began talking as pleasantly
and forcibly as ever. He recounted the hardships, and
praised the piety and wisdom of their ancestors.
A gentleman present mentioned the subject of the days
debate in the House of Representatives. A bill had been
introduced to extend the powers of the royal governor. The
stranger immediately entered upon the subject, supported the
rights of the colonies with many arguments and much elo-
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quence, and showed a great familiarity with the names of
influential members of the House in the time of Governor
Dudley.
The conversation was so animated and interesting, that
the clock struck eleven unnoticed by the delighted circle.
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The patience of Mrs. Franklin was by this time completely
exhausted. She now entered the room, and, before the whole
company, addressed the stranger with much anger; told him
plainly, that she thought herself imposed upon, that she was
a lone woman but had friends who would protect her, and
concluded by telling him to leave the house. Franklin made
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a slight apology, put on his great-coat and hat, took a polite
leave of the company, and approached the street-door, lighted
by the maid, and attended bv the mistress.
While the company had been enjoying themselves within,
a most tremendous snow-storm had filled the streets
knee-deep; and no sooner had the maid lifted the latch, than a
roaring wind forced open the door, put out the light, and
almost filled the entry with drifted snow and hail. As soon
as the candle was relighted, the stranger cast a mournful
look on the lady of the mansion, and said, »My dear madam,
if you turn me out of your house in this dreadful storm, I
am a stranger in the town, and shall certainly perish in the
streets. You look like a charitable lady; I should not think
you could refuse shelter to a dog on such a night». »Don’t
tell me of charity», said the offended matron; »charity begins
at home. It is your own fault that you stayed so long. In
short, sir, I do not like your looks, or your conduct in thus
forcing yourself upon my family, and I fear you have some
bad designs».
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