26 chapters
5 hour read
Selected Chapters
26 chapters
PREFACE.
PREFACE.
This book is designed to illustrate the familiar maxim, that " the boy is father to the man ." The early life of Franklin is sketched from his childhood to the time he was established in business, thus showing what he was in boyhood and youth; and the achievements of his manhood are summed up in a closing chapter, to substantiate the truth of the above proverb. The author believes that the lives of distinguished men may be incorporated into a story, uniting narrative and dialogue so as to be mor
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE WHISTLE.
THE WHISTLE.
It was a bright, welcome holiday to little Benjamin Franklin, when his kind parents put some coppers into his pocket, to spend as he saw fit. Possibly it was the first time he was ever permitted to go out alone into the streets of Boston with money to spend for his own pleasure; for he was now but seven years old. "Can I have more coppers when these are gone?" he inquired. "No," replied his mother, "you have quite as many now as will be for your welfare, I think. You must be a good boy, and keep
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
AT SCHOOL.
AT SCHOOL.
" Well , Benjamin," said his father, laying down his violin, upon which he was wont to play in the evening, for his own and children's amusement, "how should you like to go to school and qualify yourself to be a minister? You are as fond of your books as James is of printing, or John of making candles!" "I should like to go to school well enough," replied Benjamin, after some hesitation; "but I don't know about the rest of it." "You are old enough now," continued his father, "to think about a tr
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
A CHANGE.
A CHANGE.
Benjamin had not been in school quite a year, when his father saw plainly that he would not be able to defray the expense of educating him. "I might keep him along for the present," said he to his wife, "but I am satisfied that I cannot carry him through. My family expenses are now very great, and they will be still larger. It will make considerable difference in my expenses whether Benjamin is kept at school, or assists me by the labour of his hands." "I am not surprised at all at your conclusi
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
MAKING CANDLES.
MAKING CANDLES.
When Benjamin was ten years old he had acquired all the education his father thought he could afford to give him. He could write a very good hand, and read fluently, though his knowledge of arithmetic was very limited indeed. "Are you about ready, Benjamin, to come into the shop and help me?" inquired his father, at the dinner table. "Am I not going to Mr. Brownwell's school any longer?" he asked, instead of replying to his father's question,—a Yankee-like way of doing things, truly. "I think th
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE ROGUE'S WHARF.
THE ROGUE'S WHARF.
" All aboard!" exclaimed Benjamin, and so saying he bounded into the boat that lay at the water's edge. "Now for a ride: only hurry up, and make the oars fly;" and several boys leaped in after him from the shaking, trampled quagmire on which they stood. "We shall be heels over head in mud yet," said one of the number, "unless we try to improve the marsh. There is certainly danger that we shall go through that shaky place, and I scarcely know when we shall stop, if we begin to go down." "Let us b
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
TABLE TALK.
TABLE TALK.
" Yes ," replied Mr. Franklin, to the inquiry of a friend who was dining with him; "my ancestors were inured to hardships, and I myself am not altogether a stranger to them. I had but little opportunity of going to school, and have always had to work hard for a livelihood." "So much the better for you now," replied his friend; "for in this new country, and these hard times, you cannot find the support of a large family an easy matter." "That is true; but I have never regretted coming to this cou
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHOOSING A TRADE.
CHOOSING A TRADE.
" You will have to be a tallow-chandler, after all, when your brother gets married and goes away," said one of Benjamin's associates to him. He had heard that an older son of Mr. Franklin, who worked at the business with his father, was about to be married, and would remove to Rhode Island, and set up business for himself. "Not I," replied Benjamin. "I shall work at it no longer than I am obliged to do." "That may be, and you be obliged to work at it all your life. It will be, as your father say
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE PRINTER-BOY.
THE PRINTER-BOY.
After Benjamin had worked at cutlery a suitable time, his father went to close the bargain, and make out the papers for his apprenticeship. But, to his surprise, his nephew demanded such conditions that Mr. Franklin could not think of accepting his proposition; and the result was, that he took Benjamin away, much to his disappointment. The boy submitted to his father's decision, however, with true filial obedience, evidently believing that he had good reasons for taking such a stand. Now he was
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
FIRST LITERARY ENTERPRISE.
FIRST LITERARY ENTERPRISE.
" What have you there?" inquired James, one day, looking over Benjamin's shoulder at some composition which he held in his hand. "Ay! poetry, is it? Then you are a poet, are you? Let me read it." Benjamin rather hesitated to exhibit the first attempts of his muse to fly, but James was determined to read it, and so he gave it up to him, saying, "I was only seeing what I could do." The fact was, Benjamin had been reading poetry, and, having a little of its spirit in his own nature, he was tempted
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE DISPUTE.
THE DISPUTE.
Benjamin was intimate, at this time, with a youth by the name of John Collins. He was intelligent, sprightly, and fond of books, so that he was a very agreeable companion. They differed somewhat in their opinions upon various subjects, and frequently found themselves engaged in earnest disputation. When other boys were accustomed to spend their time in foolish talking and jesting, Benjamin and John were warmly discussing some question of importance, well suited to improve the mind. One day their
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
PLAIN FARE.
PLAIN FARE.
" How much will you allow me a week if I will board myself?" inquired Benjamin of James. "It costs you now more than you need to pay." James was still boarding Benjamin in a family near by, being himself yet unmarried. "Then you think I am paying more a week for your board than it is worth?" replied his brother. "No more than you will be obliged to pay in any other family, but more than I shall ask you," answered Benjamin. "Then you think of opening a boarding-house for the special accommodation
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE NEWSPAPER.
THE NEWSPAPER.
On the seventeenth day of January, 1721, James Franklin began to issue a newspaper, called " The New England Courant ." It was the third one at the time in the whole country. The first paper—" The Boston Newsletter "—was established in 1704, two years before the birth of Benjamin. It was only a half-sheet of paper, about the size of an eight by twelve inch pane of glass, "in two pages folio, with two columns on each page." Consequently, it could not have contained more printed matter than is now
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG.
THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG.
Benjamin was so highly gratified with the favourable remarks he heard about his articles, and especially that different persons, in guessing who the author might be, usually guessed some writer of distinction, that he could keep the secret no longer. He was eager to make the fact known, that the much talked of essays emanated from his own pen; and soon "the cat was let out of the bag." Having a good opportunity, in reply to some remark of James about "the last article found under the door," he s
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE ARREST.
THE ARREST.
" Have you heard what they are doing in the Assembly?" asked Benjamin one afternoon, as he entered the office under considerable excitement, addressing his inquiry to James. "Doing?" answered James; "doing their business, I suppose;"—a reply that did not indicate precisely his knowledge of the legislative doings, since he had heard of the business before them, and was somewhat troubled by it. "They are certainly going to arrest you for libel, and I heard a gentleman say, in the street, that they
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE RUNAWAY.
THE RUNAWAY.
Not long after James was released from prison, a fresh difficulty arose between Benjamin and himself. In the quarrel they seemed to forget that they were brothers, who ought to be united by strong ties of affection. James continued to be passionate and domineering, treating his brother with harshness, sometimes even beating him, notwithstanding he was the nominal publisher and editor of a paper. Benjamin thought he was too old to be treated thus—whipped like a little boy—and the result was that
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
ANOTHER TRIP AND ITS TRIALS.
ANOTHER TRIP AND ITS TRIALS.
On arriving at New York, Benjamin applied to a well known printer, Mr. William Bradford, for work. "Where are you from?" he inquired. "From Boston," was Benjamin's reply. "Used to the printing business?" "Yes, that is my trade. I have worked at it several years." "I am sorry I cannot employ you. Just now my business is small, and I have all the help I need." "What do you think of the prospect of getting work at some other office in the town?" inquired Benjamin. "Not very flattering, I am sorry t
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
GETTING WORK.
GETTING WORK.
After a good night's sleep, Benjamin arose and dressed himself as neatly as he could with his old clothes, and repaired to Andrew Bradford's printing-office. "Ah! then you have arrived," said an old gentleman, rising to salute him as he entered. "I reached here first." "Oh, it is Mr. Bradford!" exclaimed Benjamin, surprised at meeting the old printer whom he saw in New York, and who directed him to his son, Andrew Bradford, of Philadelphia. "I did not expect to meet you here." "I suppose not. I
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
NEWS FROM HOME, AND RETURN.
NEWS FROM HOME, AND RETURN.
Hitherto Benjamin had lived contentedly in Philadelphia, striving to forget Boston and old familiar scenes as much as possible. No one at home knew of his whereabouts, except his old friend Collins, who kept the secret well. One day, however, a letter came to his address, and the superscription looked so familiar that Benjamin's hand fairly trembled as he broke the seal. It proved to be from his brother-in-law, Robert Homes, "master of a sloop that traded between Boston and Delaware." He came to
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
BACK AGAIN.
BACK AGAIN.
On his return, Benjamin sailed in a sloop to New York, where he had arranged to meet Collins. They put in at Newport on business, where he had a good opportunity to visit his brother John, who had been married and settled there some years. He received a very hearty and affectionate welcome from his brother, who was always kind and true to him. His stay was short, as he must go when the sloop did, but he made the most of it, and enjoyed himself much during the short time. Just before he left Newp
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
A LITERARY GAME.
A LITERARY GAME.
At this point it is necessary to speak of Benjamin's associates. He was not long in finding new acquaintances in Philadelphia. His industry and general good habits won the respect and confidence of all who came in contact with him. Among those who particularly pleased him were three young men, Charles Osborne, Joseph Watson, and James Ralph, all lovers of reading. Their literary tendencies no doubt attracted Benjamin, and caused him to value their companionship more highly. The first two were cl
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
GOING TO ENGLAND.
GOING TO ENGLAND.
At the earliest opportunity, Benjamin presented the Governor with an inventory of the articles necessary in setting up the printing business. "And what will be the probable expense of all these?" inquired the Governor. "About one hundred pounds sterling, as nearly as I can estimate," he replied. "But would it not prove an advantage for you to be there yourself, to select the types, and see that everything is good?" "I suppose it would, though such a thing as going to England is scarcely possible
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
FAREWELL TO ENGLAND.
FAREWELL TO ENGLAND.
On the 23rd day of July, 1726, Benjamin sailed for Philadelphia, in company with Mr. Denham. After a successful and rather pleasant voyage of nearly three months, they reached Philadelphia, much to the satisfaction of Benjamin, who always enjoyed his stay there. He was now twenty years of age. "Ah! is it you, Benjamin? I am glad to see you back again," said Keimer, as his old journeyman made his appearance; and he shook his hand as if his heart was in it. "I began to think you had forsaken us."
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
SETTING UP BUSINESS.
SETTING UP BUSINESS.
Agreeably to the arrangement with Meredith, Benjamin made out an inventory of articles, which were immediately ordered from England. In the mean time he expected to find work at Bradford's printing-office, but was disappointed. It was only a few days, however, before he received a very civil message from Keimer, in which he said, "that old friends should not part for a few words, the effect of sudden passion," and urged him to return. The fact was, he had a prospect of being employed to print so
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE JUNTO.
THE JUNTO.
Soon after Franklin returned from England, he was instrumental in forming his literary associates into a club for mutual improvement, called the " Junto ," which met every Friday evening. This club continued nearly forty years, and Franklin said of it, "It was the best school of philosophy, morality, and politics, that then existed in the Province; for our queries, which were read the week preceding their discussion, put us upon reading with attention on the several subjects, that we might speak
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CONCLUSION.
CONCLUSION.
We have followed the subject of this volume from the time he paid too dear for his whistle , to the period when he was well established in business. We have seen what his character was as a printer-boy , and hence his promise of success. He was not perfect by any means; on the other hand, he had marked failings. Yet, underneath the whole, we have discovered certain qualities that are indispensable to eminence in one's vocation. And now it remains to see, briefly, whether the principle we advocat
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter