THE CASE OF MR B. FRANKLIN.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 2, Issue 131, 7 August 1895, Page 4

THE CASE OF MR B. FRANKLIN.

A small bo w was brought before a, magistrate upon a serious charge. He was a little fellow, with red hnir. A tuft of hair stuck through the top of a pointed slouched hat, and his knees shone through holes in those portions of his trousers. His mothe hold him fast, and, as she struggled into the office, the boy swung back like a contrary mule at the end of a halter. 'What's the matter?' said the magistrate. ' Everything !' said the woman. 'He's bad, and thar a'nt no doing noth'in wi' him. Thar a'nt a cherrytree round the town be don't know, and thar a'nt a cat what shows its nose that ho don't let drive wi' a stone. Thar a'nt a door-bell ha ha'n't pulled, and a high hat on days when ther's snow jest sets him in a fit until he gets a' lick in at it.', I have worn out, three Bibles reading

'um to bim, but it don't do no good. All the trees in the back yard has been killed getting switches off to lick 'um, and he chaws all the terbacker that the old man can buy. He's a-breaking of my heart, and I wants him punished. Yes, Ben Franklin, you are bringing my gray hairs to the grave.' ' Benjamin Franklin,' said the magistrate, in an imperious manner, ' I am afraid you are derelict to those high principles of morality and rectitude which maternal affection has endeavoured to instil into your composition.' ' Now, look here, Mr Judge, said the woman, ' that 'ere boy ha'nt had much learning, and he can't talk Dutch.' ' Well, I didn't say ho could,' replied the magistrate. ' War n't that Dutch you were talking then ?' ' No, madam ; that was pure AngloSaxon.' ' What's Bhe got to do with this case?' ' Who P' ' Why, Ar.gslina Saxton,' • Who said anythiDgabout Angelina Saxton P* ' You did.' ' You did.' ' I repeat I did not.' 'You did! you did!! did!!! did !!!! did !!! I! did !!!!! ! did ! I!! !!! and did, and you did, did did, and I'll never give in !' In the meantime Benjamin Franklin sat on a bos, and said, 'Groin, old woman, and don't give up ; I seen you take down dad that way many a time.' Her breath nearly exhausted, she snatched the namesake of the great philosopher by the nape of his neck and swept out of the court, declaring she had never been so insulied in all her life, and that, too, by a magistrate who had had no bringing up.