The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-10-15
franklin and Governor Burnet.

which had brought him to New York steppe
up, and, in very respectful manner, put not
into his hand. Ben opened it, not without con
siderable agitation, and read as follows: E@
&c. Burnet's compliments await young MI
Franklin, and should be glad of half an hour
chat with him. 't t@~ -s-1 @--- -5 s's 5s
&c. Burnett said Ben, "who can that be?'
"Why, It's the governor" replied the cap
tain, with a smile. II have just been to Sc.
him with some letters brought for him from
Boston; and when told him what world o
books you have, he expressed curiosity to SCI
you, and begged would return with you te
his place.
Ben instantly set off with the captain, but no
without a sigh, as he cast a look at the door O
poor Collins bedroom, to think what an honor
that wretched young man had lost for the sake
of two or three gulps of filthy grog.
The governors looks at the approach Of Ben,
showed somewhat disappointment He had,
it seems, expected considerable entertainment
from Ben's conversation; but his fresh and rud
dy countenance showed him so much younger
than he had counted on, that he gave up all
his promised entertainment as last hope He
received Ben, however, with great politeness,
took him into adjoining room, which was his
library, consisting Of large and well-chosen
collection. ~
Seeing the pleasure which sparkled in Ben's
eyes as he surveyed SO many elegant authors
and thought of the rich stores Of knowledge
which they contained, the governor, with asmile
of complacency, as on young pupil of sci
ence, said to him: .
"Well Mr.. Franklin, am told by the cap
tain here that you have fine collection too.''
''Only trunk full, sr.''
ga trunk full, sr?'' replied the governor;
"why, what use can you have for so many books?
Young people at your age have seldom read be-
yond the tenth chapter Of Nehemia."
81 cannot boast" replied Ben, t'of having
read a great deal beyond that myself; but still
should be sorry if could not get a trunk full
to read every six months ...r
At this the governor, regarding him with a
look of surprise, said:
"You must then, though so young. be a
scholar; perhaps teacher of the langusges?"
"No, sir" answered Ben, Il know no Ian
guage but my own" f. -s
"What! not Latin or Greek?"
'sNo, sir; not word of eiher.''
"Why, don't you think them necessary?'
II don't set myselfup as Judge. but should
not suppose them necessary
cay? Well, I should like to hear your
reasons
''Why, sir, am not competent to give rea-
sons that may satisfy gentleman of your learn
ing, but the following are the reasons with which
| satisfy myself. l look on language, merely as
arbitrary sounds of characters whereby men
hair fc otL
| already possess language which is capable
of conveying more ideas than I shall ever ac-
quire. Were it not wiser in me to improve my
time in acquiring sense through that one Ian
guage than waste it in getting more sounds
through fifty languages, even if I could learn
as many?"
Here the governor paused a moment though
not without a little red on his cheeks for hav-
ing afew moments before put Ben and the tenth
chapter of Nehemiah 50 close together How
ever, catching new idea, he took another start:
"Wel, but my dear sir, you certainly differ
from the learned world, which is, you know,
decidedly in favor of fthe languages
.s'I would not wish wantonly to differ from
the learned world" said Ben, respectfully when
they maintain opinions that seem to me found
ed in truth. But when this is not the case, to
differ from them l have ever thought my duty;
and especially since studied Locke
''Locke?' cried the governor with surprise,
you studied Locke?''
Eyes sir studied Locke on the Understand
ng three years ago, when I was thirteen.'
'You amaze me, sir! You studied Locke
IN the Understanding at thirteen?"
Eyes, sir, did,
"Well, and pray at what college did you stu
ly Locke at thirteen? For at Cambridge col
ege, in Old England, where I got my educa-
ion, they never allowed the senior class to look
1t Locke till eighteen
"Why, sir, it was my misfortune never to be
It college, or even a grammar-s school, except
line months, when was a child.''
Here the governor sprang from his seat, and,
taring at Ben, cried out: -
"Never at a college! Well, and where
where did you get your education, pray?'
cat homes sir, in a tallow-chandler' shop"
elm a tallow- chandler shop?" screamed the
GOVERNOR -
Eyes sir. My father was poor old tallow-
handler, with sixteen children, and the young
st of all. AT eight years of age he put me to
chool; but, finding he could not spare the
money from the rest of the children to keep
ne there, he took me home in the shop, where
assisted him BY twisting the candle-wicks and
ling the mouds all day, and at night read
y myself. At twelve my father bound me to
ny brother, printer, in Boston, and with him
worked all day at case and press, and again
cad by myself at night .....
Here the governor spanked his hands to-
ether and put up a loud whistle, while his eye
alls, wild with surprise, rolled about in their
ockets as if of a mighty mind to hop out.
Impossible, young man!'' he exclaimed,
impossible! you are only sounding my credu-
ty. can never believe the one-half of this. "
hen turning to the captain, he said, "captain,
ou are an intelligent man, and from Boston;
ray, tell me- can this young man here be aim
g at any thing but to quiz me?"
mo, indeed, please your excellency," re-
lied the captain; "Mr. Franklin is not quiz
ing you; he is saying what is really true, for
am acquainted with his father and family.
The governor, then turning to Ben, said,
lore moderately: ''
"Well. my dear, wonderful boy, l ask your
ardon for doubling your word; and now pray
III me, for feel a stronger desire than ever
} hear your objection to learning the dead Ian