Having finished printing the New-Jersey money, Ben, accompanied by
Keimer, set out for Philadelphia, where he had scarcely arrived before
in came Meredith, with a face of joy, and taking Ben aside, told him
that their press and types were all come. Immediately the two friends
went forth in search of a good house and stand, which they were so
lucky as to find near the market, at twenty-four pounds _a year_! The
fixing and putting all their things to rights, having consumed every
penny of their money, our young beginners were at their wit's end what
to be at. In this extremity, one of their acquaintance, a Mr. George
House, brought them a countryman who wanted some advertisements for a
cow he had lost. Ben soon had the old cow up for him in a "_staring_"
shape, which so pleased the honest rustic, that he instantly counted
them down their _five shillings_. Never did five shillings come more
acceptably. The gratitude which Ben felt towards George House for this
little kindness, fixed on him a determination from that day, "_never to
miss an opportunity to lend a helping hand to young beginners_."
His favourite young Hercules, the PRINTING-OFFICE, which had been so
long labouring in his brain, being now happily brought to birth, Ben
determined immediately to give it the countenance and support of
another noble bantling of his own. I allude to his famous club, called
the "Junto," a kind of Robinhood society, composed of young men
desirous of improving themselves in knowledge and elocution, and who
met one night every week, to discuss some interesting question in
morals, politics, or philosophy.
The members at first were but few; but Ben, now a complete master of
his pen, made such a dash with their speeches in his _newspaper_, that
the Junto soon got to be the talk of the town; and members were added
to it daily. Ben was unanimously appointed moderator of the club; and
in reward for the great pleasure and profit derived from this noble,
mind-improving institution, the members all agreed to support his
printing-office. This was of service; but its principal support was
derived from a still higher source; I mean his own astonishing
industry. No sooner was it known in town that Ben had set up a new
paper and press, under the very nose of two others, Keimer's and
Bradford's, than it became a matter of speculation whether it could
possibly stand. The generality gave into the negative. But Dr. Bard, a
shrewd old Scotchman, who well knew the effect of persevering industry
on young men's fortunes, laughed heartily at the doubters. "_Stand_,"
said he, "_gentlemen_! Yes, take my word it _will stand_. The industry
of that young Franklin will make any thing stand. I see him still at
work when I return from my patients at midnight, and he is at it again
in the morning before his neighbours are out of bed." Ben was fairly
entitled to his praise. He generally composed and corrected ten to
twelve thousand m's a day, though it constantly took him till near
midnight. But so intent was he on finishing this incredible task, that
when accident had deranged a good half of his hard day's work, he has
been known to fall to work and set it up again before he went to bed.
The reputation acquired by this industry, made such an impression in
his favour, that the merchants, many of them, made him liberal offers
of their stationary on _credit_. But, not wishing to have "_too many
irons in the fire_," he declined their offers, which added to his
reputation of an _industrious_ young man, that of an _upright_ and
_cautious_ one. This is mentioned, not so much for praise of the
_dead_, as for a _hint_ to the living.
Business began now to make a flood-tide movement in the new
printing-office, and Ben made such good use of it, and picked up money
so fast, that he was in hopes he had nearly thrown all his troubles
over the "_left shoulder_." But in this he was miserably mistaken; for
presently, as if there was to be no end to troubles, there leaped out
another, more alarming than all before. Old Meredith, finding that Ben
had not cured his son of his drunken fits, _took a miff_, and all at
once _backed out_ of his promise to pay for their press and printing
materials! and the merchant who imported these costly articles, and who
had for some time been expecting his money, commenced a suit, and
threatened immediate execution!
Poor Ben! Imagination sees him, at first, standing like a luckless
merchant, who, after two noble ventures swallowed up, now beholds the
breakers that are to swallow up his third, and _last_ hope--"Yes,"
thought he, "but a few short weeks and my press and type will be under
the hammer; all my delightful hopes annihilated; and myself turned
adrift on the wide world again!"
At this perilous moment, when nothing but infamy and ruin stared him in
the face, God was pleased to cause his OWN VIRTUES to leap forth like
an armed Minerva, with shield and buckler for his defence. His INDUSTRY
and PRUDENCE having, as aforesaid, been trumpeted through the town, the
public feelings were greatly excited by his misfortunes. "_Shame_,"
_said they_, "_that such a young man should fall. As to that drunken
fellow, that Meredith, no matter how soon he is stripped and sent to
jail. But this Franklin must not fall for want of a little help. It
were a disgrace to the town._" Accordingly several gentlemen, two at
least are recorded, Coleman and Grace, without each other's knowledge,
called on him, and tendered whatever sum he should want!--but hoping at
the same time he would, if possible, get quit of Meredith, who only
served to disgrace and injure him; being often seen at _taverns_ and
_gambling tables_.
A relief so unexpected, and in a manner too so flattering, produced on
the mind of Ben, a satisfaction beyond expression. After making the
best acknowledgments he could to such noble benefactors, he begged they
would allow him a day or two to effect, if possible, an honourable
separation from Meredith. Fortunately he found no difficulty in this:
for Meredith, heartily sick of the business, readily agreed, for a
small consideration, to give him up the printing-office to himself. Ben
then called on his two friends, accepted the proffered supply, taking
exactly one half from each for fear of offending either, and making
full settlement with the Merediths, took the whole business into his
own hands.
Ben's extreme alarm from the danger of having his printing-office
seized, and its fortunate rescue by the amiable Coleman and Grace, has
been very briefly narrated. But transient as this event may seem in our
narrative, it produced on his feelings a glow of gratitude which kings
might envy; and it led to an _act_ which Angels would glory in. The
reader shall hear all in good time.