ble one;' and he conducted me to the Crooked Billet in Water Street. There I got a dinner; and while I was eat ing, several questions were asked me, as, from my youth and appearance, I was suspected of being a runaway.

After dinner my host having shown me to a bed, I laid myself on it without undressing, and slept till six in the evening, when I was called to supper. I went to bed again very early, and slept very soundly till next morning. Then I dressed myself as neat as I could, and went to Andrew Bradford, the printer's. I found in the shop the old man his father, whom I had seen at New York, and who, traveling on horseback, had got to Philadelphia before me. He introduced me to his son, who received me civilly, gave me a breakfast, but told me he did not at present want a hand, being lately supplied with one; but there was another printer in town, lately set up, one Keimer, who, perhaps, might employ me; if not, I should be welcome to lodge at his house, and he would give me a little work to do now and then, till fuller business should offer.

"The old gentleman said he would go with me to the new printer; and, when we found him, 'Neighbor,' said Bradford, 'I have brought to see you a young man of your business; perhaps you may want such a one.' He asked me a few questions, put a composing-stick in my hand, to see how I worked, and then said he would employ me soon, though he had just then nothing for me to do. And taking old Bradford, whom he had never seen before, to be one of the towns-people that had a good will for him, entered into a conversation on his present undertaking and prospects; while Bradford, not disclosing that he was the other printer's father, on Keimer's saying he expected soon to get the greatest part of the business into his own hands, drew him on by artful questions, and starting little doubts, to explain all his views, what influence he relied on, and in what manner he

intended to proceed. I, who stood by and heard all, saw immediately that one was a crafty old sophister, and the other a true novice. Bradford left me with Keimer, who was greatly surprised when I told him who the old man was."

The young Bostonian must have recalled to mind his own sophistical encounters in his native town, when he artfully drew on his antagonists to make concessions, which he skilfully turned against them.

CHAPTER VI.

In Philadelphia. - Keimer. Hears from Home. -Sir William Keith.-Keith becomes Franklin's Patron. Keith's Proposal to Franklin. -Brilliant Prospects.

Philadelphia did not present a brilliant opening to our young adventurer. Fortunately he was willing to work his way up by gradual advances. Give him a chance, and he was content to trust to time and his own talents for promotion.

Introduced as above to Keimer, he cast a look about the printing-house, which contained an old damaged press, and a small, worn-out font of English. Keimer was then composing an elegy on his late principal hand, an intelligent young man, of excellent character, who had been secretary to the Assembly. He was pleased to consider himself a poet, and was accustomed to set up his verses as he manufactured them, directly out of his head, without the trouble of writing them. Franklin would have helped him, but, of course, there was no copy, and, besides, but one pair of cases. So he made himself useful by putting the press, which had not been

used, in such order as he could, and then, taking his leave, he promised to come again and print off the elegy as soon as it was ready. Returning to Bradford's, he there found a little job waiting for him, and at his house he "lodged and dieted." A few days after, he was sent for Keimer having by this time got another pair of cases and a pamphlet to reprint, upon which Franklin was set to work.

"This man, though something of a scholar, says Franklin, "was a mere compositor, knowing nothing of presswork. He had been one of the French prophets, and could act their enthusiastic agitations. At this time, he did not profess any particular religion, but something of all on occasion; was very ignorant of the world, and had, as I afterward found, a good deal of the knave in his composition. He did not like my lodging at Bradford's while I worked with him. He had a house indeed, but without furniture; so he could not lodge me; but he got me a lodging at Mr. Read's, before mentioned, who was the owner of his house; and my chest of clothes being come by this time, I made rather a more accept able appearance in the eyes of Miss Read, than I had done when she first happened to see me eating my roll in the street."

He now began to feel at home in Philadelphia. He made the acquaintance of some young people, who were fond of reading, with whom he spent his evenings very pleasantly. His industry and frugality also enabled him to lay up some money. But what, meanwhile, are his thoughts of the old home in Boston? He tells us that he tried to forget it as much as possible.

His brother's injustice and cruelty had thoroughly weaned him from his native town; he had no wish to return. And for fear that his present residence might be discovered, he had never written to his parents. Collins alone had the secret.

A

But a new turn to his affairs was at hand. brother-in-law, Robert Holmes, master of a sloop that traded between Boston and Delaware, being at Newcastle, forty miles below Philadelphia, and hearing where Franklin was, wrote to him how grieved his parents were at his departure, and how warm a welcome they would give him if he would return. The letter did not persuade Franklin, but it had an important influence on his future course. It happened that when Franklin's reply reached Holmes, Sir William Keith, governor of the province, was at Newcastle, and it was shown to him. He was surprised that a youth of seventeen should compose such a letter, which doubtless set forth in clear and strong terms the reasons that had determined his leaving Boston. He said that a young man of such promising talents ought to be encouraged. Neither of the printers in Philadelphia understood his business, and there was room for a new one to set up. He was sure that Franklin would succeed. He would promise him the public printing, and assist him every way in his power. For some reason, perhaps because he hoped to entice his brother-in-law back to Boston, Holmes did not tell him of this