Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-28
Raniamin franklin.

The subject OF this biography, whose
name is so intimately connected with
lightning rods and the old Franklin
band-press, was born in Boston, which
fact, BY the way, in the estimation OF the
natives of that town, does away with the
necessity for being 4" born again" His
father was a tallow chandler and soap
boiler. This circumstance, it is sup
posed, accounts for the great sympathy
which be always felt for the cause
of Greace. His earliest predilec.
ton was for the sea, and it was
for the purpose of REFRESHING it that
Benjamin's father bound him appren-
tice to the printing trade. He said he
didn't want him to 60 "roving about, =
and he was satisfied that he wouldn't if
he once got to be a journeyman printer.
Journeymen printers never rove. Oh,
mol He was bound apprentice to bis
brother James, Who used him pretty
rough, sometimes beating the young
American philosopher and statesman
with side-stick," heaving "slugs" at
him, etc.
BENJAMIN had furnished several able
srticles for his brothers paper, in dis
guised hand, which his brother printed,
giving them first-rate editorial notice /;
but when be found out, as he afterwards
did, that Ben. wrote them, be was mad,
That ia the way with the world, when a
man displays unusual ability. All of my
brothers are jealous of uas.
BENJAMIN bore the abuse patiently.
His brother being related to him, he said
he didn't like to raise fuss among the
connections. He employed all his leisure
in improving his mind by reading Par
sons Lives, Nasty, the New York Led
oer. Resdle's Dime F3pels, and old man
Grants biography Of his son, thus estab-
fishing groundwork for bseomng the
greatest American philosopher and
statesman.
One day bis brother heaving more
than the usual quantity Of slpga" OF
his head, with the additional indignity
of spanking him with g galley" Ben
resolved to run away. he came to New
York, where he saw Horace Greeley for
the FIRST time, easily recognizing him on
the street from the descriptions he had
read OF his long white coat and hat
Too modest to ask sad from Horace,
who would doubtless have afford
ed it had he given bis name,
he went 10 philadelphia by the Camden
and Amboy railroad, msking an ineffect-
nal effort to dead head oyer tbs line
on account Of having brother who was
a Boston editor. he reached the Quaker
City on Sunday morning, and this oc-
curing before the Philadeiphisas oon-
cluded to permit street cars to run on
Sunday, be was compelled to walk up
town.
he presented a grotesque spectacle 90.
ing up Market street, eating a roll of
Grated bread, with two other rolls under
his arm, and his pockets stuffed with
shirts, stockings, and paper collars.
Thus equipped, he passed by the house
where lived the future Mrs. Franklin,
sho remarked bis ridiculous appearance.
She little thought, when she laughed at
the stockings hanging out Of his trow-
sers pockets, that she would have TO sit
up at nights TO mend them, or that she
woald ever cut down those paper collars
for the children to wear. Whether or
not, in after life, Franklin wished that
be had gone up another street, an not
prepared to say.
BE gave the two rolls 70 a poor woman,
who. sympathizing with his weary ap-
pearance, kindly took them Of his hands (;
and then, desiring some quiet place in
which TO sleep, vent into Quaker meet
ing-house, from which he afterward
enlarged greatly refreshed.
The following evening be went 70 the
Arch street Theater, 10. Murphy giving
bin q pass on account Of bis connection
with the press
he found employmeEt end obtained
lodgiug 81 the house Of bis father-in- lag
ths; vas u be, and vas easily recog-
nized By ths young lady 10 question By
the shirts and stockings stu hanging out
Of his pocketa
Franklin began 70 cot . squire in