_The Junto. A new Paper started by Keimer. Franklin purchases it.
Difficulties in their Business. A Dissolution of the Partnership.
Franklin assisted by his Friends. David Harry. Match-making. Marriage
with Miss Read._
1. In the autumn of the preceding year, Franklin had formed, among his
acquaintance, a small club for mutual improvement, which they termed
the Junto. They met on Friday evenings. The rules required that each
member, in his turn, should produce one or more questions on any point
of politics, morals or natural philosophy, to be discussed by the
company, and once in three months produce and read an essay of his own
writing on any subject he pleased.
2. This club answered many good purposes for a great length of time.
It introduced better habits of conversation, and drew attention to the
most interesting subjects of general inquiry. The members of the club
now assisted in bringing business to the young printers. Their
industry was unwearied, and soon began to be noticed by their
neighbors. This gave them character and credit.
3. George Webb now came to offer them his services, as a journeyman.
They were not then able to give him employment, but Franklin let him
know, as a secret, that he soon intended to begin a newspaper, and
would then probably have work for him. He told him his plan and
expectations. His hopes of success were founded on this; that the only
newspaper at that time printed there, by Bradford, was a miserable
affair, badly managed, not entertaining, and yet profitable.
4. Franklin requested Webb not to mention the project; but he told it
to Keimer, who immediately issued proposals for publishing one
himself. This vexed Franklin, and, as he was at that time unable to
commence his paper, he wrote several amusing pieces for Bradford,
under the title of the Busy Body, which were continued by one of his
friends for several months. By this means the attention of the public
was fixed on that paper, and Keimer's proposals were neglected. He
began his paper, however, and carried it on about nine months, with
only ninety subscribers. At this time, he offered it, at a very low
price, to Franklin, who purchased it, and in a few years made it very
profitable.
5. The partnership still continued, though the whole management of the
business was confided to Franklin. Meredith knew very little about
setting types, or working at the press, and was seldom sober. The
connection between them was to be regretted, on many accounts, but
Meredith had established the business, and it was now necessary to
make the best of it.
6. Their first papers made a better appearance than any that had been
before printed in the province. The number of subscribers continually
increased, and the leading men found it convenient to oblige and
encourage the printers. Bradford still printed the votes, and laws,
and public documents; but this business soon fell into the hands of
Franklin.
7. A difficulty now occurred, which had been little expected. Mr.
Meredith's father, who was to have paid for the printing house, was
able to advance only one hundred pounds; and one hundred more were due
to the merchant, who became impatient, and sued them all. They gave
bail, but unless the money could have been raised in season, they must
have sold their press and types, for payment.
8. In this distress, two friends came forward to Franklin, and offered
to advance the money, if he would discontinue the partnership with
Meredith. Each made the proposition separately, and without the
knowledge of the other. These friends were William Coleman and Robert
Grace. Franklin told them that he considered himself under obligations
to the Merediths, and if they should be able to fulfil their part of
the agreement, he could not think of proposing a separation. If they
should finally fail in their performance, and the partnership should
be dissolved, he would then think himself at liberty to accept the
assistance of his friends.
9. Meredith finally proposed a dissolution of the partnership.
Franklin consented, and the whole business was left in his hands. He
then recurred to his friends, and took half of what he wanted from
one, and half from the other. The separation was then publicly
advertised, the old debts were paid off, and the business went on in
the name of Franklin. This was in or about the year 1729.
10. He now obtained several jobs from the government, and was employed
in printing the paper money. A stationer's shop was soon added to his
establishment, and he began to pay off gradually the debt he was under
for the printing house. In order to secure his character and credit as
a trades-man, he was not only industrious and frugal in reality, but
avoided any appearance to the contrary. He dressed plainly, and was
seen at no places of amusement. To show that he was not above his
business, he himself sometimes brought home, on a wheel-barrow, the
paper he purchased at the stores.
11. Being thus considered an industrious and thriving young man, the
merchants who imported stationery were desirous of his custom. Others
proposed supplying him with books, and he went on prosperously. In the
mean time, Keimer's business and credit declined daily, and he was at
last obliged to sell his printing house, to satisfy his creditors. He
went to Barbadoes, and there lived, some years, in great poverty.
[Illustration: Franklin taking home his paper.]
12. An apprentice of Keimer's, David Harry, bought his materials, and
set up, in his place, in Philadelphia. His friends were rich, and
possessed considerable influence, and Franklin was afraid that he
would find Harry a powerful rival. He, therefore, proposed a
partnership, which was fortunately rejected. Harry was proud, dressed
and lived expensively, neglected his business, and ran in debt. Losing
credit, and finding nothing to do, he followed Keimer to Barbadoes,
taking his printing materials with him. Here he employed his old
master as a journeyman, and was at last obliged to sell his types and
return to work in Philadelphia.
13. There now remained no other printer in the place but Bradford. He,
however, was rich and easy, and was not anxious about doing much
business. His situation as post-master, at that time, was supposed to
give him some advantages in obtaining news, and distributing the
papers; and he was, on that account, able to procure a great many more
advertisements than Franklin. This was of great service to Bradford,
and prevented his rival from gaining upon him so rapidly as he
otherwise would have done.
14. Franklin had hitherto boarded with Mr. Godfrey, a glazier, who was
very much distinguished for his knowledge of mathematics. The wife of
Mr. Godfrey was desirous of making a match for the young printer, and
fixed upon the daughter of a neighbor, as a suitable person. She
contrived, in several ways, to bring them together, and at length
Franklin made proposals of marriage.
15. Franklin appears to have been equally prudent and cautious in this
affair, as in every thing else. He gave Mrs. Godfrey to understand,
and carry to the parents, that he expected one hundred pounds with
their daughter. She brought him word that they had no such sum to
spare. Franklin sent back, in reply, that they might mortgage their
house.
16. The answer to this, after a few days, was, that they did not
approve the match; that, on inquiry of Mr. Bradford, they had been
informed the printing business was not a profitable one; that Keimer
and Harry had failed, and that he would probably soon follow them. The
daughter was, accordingly, shut up, and Franklin was forbidden the
house.
17. He suspected that this was merely a trick of the parents, to
induce him to run away with the young lady, and leave them at liberty
to make what terms they pleased. He immediately broke off the
connection. The Godfreys were angry, quarrelled with him, and he left
the house.
18. He had always continued on friendly terms with the family of the
young lady to whom he had been engaged before his visit to London. Her
unfortunate marriage made her very dejected and miserable. Franklin
saw her, and could not help attributing her unhappiness, in a great
measure, to his own misconduct.
19. Their mutual affection was revived, but there were now great
objections to the union. Her former husband had not been heard of, and
was supposed to be dead. All difficulties were finally surmounted, and
he married Miss Read on the first of September, 1730.
* * * * *
1. What was the Junto? What did the rules of this club require?
2. What good purposes did it answer?
3. What project did Franklin communicate to George Webb?
4. What was the consequence of this communication? What course did
Franklin pursue?
6. How did the paper succeed under Franklin's management?
7. What difficulty arose at this time?
8. Who offered Franklin their assistance?
9. What did Meredith propose? How was Franklin relieved?
10. Describe the increase of his business, and his character and
conduct as a tradesman.
11. What became of Keimer?
12. Who was David Harry? What became of him?
13. Who was now the only rival of Franklin?
14. Describe Mrs. Godfrey's desire of match-making.
15. Did Franklin show his usual prudence?
16. What was the result?
19. Whom did Franklin marry? When?