Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-01-11
EBENSBURC, PA. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY II, 1860.

travellers ana go into the workshop TO grind
knives aud scissors"
Well. after that, in order to please you
placed you ia you, brothers printing Office,
where, as am told. you do nothing but pore
| over books Now. if saw any probability
of Jour succeeding ln literary career it
would alter the ease, but a mere middlne wri-
ter is a useless being. If. for example there
was any chance Of your ever being able 10
compose like the mys,erou. author of those
N ticles on political econoiny which. appear in
your brothers !, -er. would saw. Go on.
and prosper y are marvellously writ
ten, evide,.ass -,-5-- Young person, By, are es
superior talent and enlargement of nIind.-
Have you read s,,eD. Ben ?''
Yes, fatheS replied the boy. careless
ly.
Have you found any clue to the myster-
ious wriser?" said Mr.. Frank!in to bis eldes,
sou.
None" repIsed he, '.alti,ou sh charged
Thomas to watch
Aud SD did watch master and when
was called ouf of the Office for a momeut,
| told Master 3enjamia not to take hi.
eyes off the box -but one can't trust boys
the paper wag pet in, and he saw no
one"
That's impossible, Benjamin" said lis
father.
The boy grew very red-but befre he
could speak, the principle magistrate of Bos-
ton, followed by several gentlemen. entered
the Office.
Il come, NJ Fsanklin." s" said the mag
is.rate. Ito demand from you the Dane of
the person who writes the powerful POLITICAL
articles which from time to time appears in
your joiruai-"
u would most redily tell it, SIR" SAID
James. but that [ am iguoraut of it my
self"
BY Gdtcubergf gentleman" sad Thom-
as. Il believe could tell you who it is -
Hold your tongue, Tnonas!" whispered
Benz jamin In his ear.
"opeak :" cried several voices.
.'G=ntlemeu, I'm only Ounce, but as
that Guteuburg was not the inventor
of printing, but ouiy its perfecrer. think
have found out the cuiprt The writer Ger
tainiy lives ia this house, aud Mr james
aud Mr. Ben are the ouly two here who can
write. Tue boy Is .oo young iu1 giddy, so
you perceive it must be-
james" said his father why did you
Thomas stepped forward. Now, sir, l
have earned my dollar; you see l guessed it
was you !"
You're a fool" said James inpatient
Il knew that long ago, sir, but still you'll
confess | won my dollar !"
at that moment Benjamin stepped forward
and addressed the magistrate: If sir, any
one is to oe arrested or punished for writing
the articles, let 1t be me. l am their author,
aud you will 6nd the rough copy Of the last in
nv table drawer
WHO spoke OF arresting or punishiug =
said the magistrate, taking the young ap-
prentice by the hauc. II sought the writer
of these papers. rot to punish him, but to tes-
tify my admiration of his sense and genius.
But how is it possible my boy. that at your
age you have attained such profound aud ex
tensive information =
Buhja,uiu cast down bis eyes, and replied,
in a modest toue:-..I obtained the materials
here. sir; listened TO the conversation of the
gentlemen who frequent this Office. and then
[ wrote"
You're wonderful boy" said the magis-
trate. as he took leave. land will certainly
Que day be wonderful man"
Benjamin felt his nand seized and warmly
pressed by his father
Go on. dear boy" he said-''in the path
you have chosen; finish you have begin,
aud you will be the pride aud honor of your
parents old age
by Gutenberg But who'll pay me my
dollar p asked 4 dolorous voice in the back
ground.
II will. Thomas. as soon as ever l earn
one, replied Benjamin,
In the .,eatrti,ne take this ~ said his faith
er. giving the old eempesitor the coin he
claimed =
~ ~ r L -.J -. H. 49,.
mencement of Benjanin Franklin well-earn-
ed fame, destined in after years 10 penetrate
throughout the civilized world.
Shortly afterwards. having had some mis-
with his brother. aud his faith
er being dead, Benjamin Franklin left Bos-
ton, and arrived at Philadelphia, with his
pockets nearly empty Here he sought aud
obtained employment in a printing Office, ard !
soon became skiliul compositor Sir Will !
inn Kei b. Governor Of the province. tonk no
Iice of him; and. wishing to make him direc- |
tor of new printing press, sent him to Eng |
and to arrange about its purchase.
On arriving in London he was robbed of |
al the money he possessed. and being thus /
unable to return to Philadelphia he worked |
or some time in the Office of printer named
Palmer.
Aithongh not VET ctghie6n years oih. MS
active mind turned on projects Of public urili-
" and he proposed establishing swim
ming -school in Lnndon A desire tn revisit
ais native land. however caused him tn aban-
Ion this plan. and be returned to Philadel-
,hia. where in conjunction with man name
d Meredith, he set up a new printing press.
From this periol may be dated his entrance
nro public life He fnrHed an association nf
.lever and educated men. who met at his
.ouse once week to discuss questions rela
ing to morals, politics. literature. and sci
,nce each member being obliged. once