The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-02-15
THE STORY-TELEER.
THE WIFE OF DIR. FRANKLIN.
BY JAMES PARTON.

On fine Sunday morning in October
1928, Deborah Read, n beautiful and
blooming lass of eighteen, stood at the
door of her fathers house in Market-st.
Philadelphia.
The city was then forty-three years of
age, and it contained q population OF
seven thousand. Many trees of the
original forest still stood upon its site
the houses were built at some distance
apart with gardens between them and
rs yet the streets were all unpaved. 1t
was large, tranquil Quaker village,
surrounded by the primeval wilderness,
with groups of Indians frequently to be
seen in its streets; and such game as
wolves, bears, wild turkeys, and deer to
be shot within four miles of the town.
AS the young lady stood at the door of
her home-it was about church time in
the morning-she saw in the crowd of
church-going people strange figure
that both amused and surprised her. It
was stout lad of seventeen, not ill
looking, but dressed in the very extreme
of shabbiness. He wore the working
clothes Of an ordinary apprentice, and
these, by exposure to rain and the wear
and tear Of travel, had become dirty and
diapidated. The pockets of his coat
We're stuffed out with shirts and stock
ings, and under each arm he had large
roll, while he was eating third. She
gazed at him as long as she could see
him, wondering and laughing at his
ridiculous appearance. If she had any
thoughts upon the subject, she probably
set him down as runaway apprentice,
for such indeed he was, one Benjamin
Franklin, who had made his way from
Boston by sloop, by barge, and on foot,
to escape the tyranny of his brother, to
whom he had been apprenticed.
a few days passed. Miss Read learn
ed from her father that young man
was coming to board with them, print
er, who worked in one of the two print
ing houses of the town. What was her
surprise when the young man arrived,
nicely dressed, with clean linen, and
very neat in his person, to recognize the
forlorn and shabby youth who had
caught her eye on that Sunday morning.
His chest had arrived meanwhile by sea,
and thus he was able to present himself
at his new abode in becoming costume.
The young man proved highly agreeable
to the family. He was full of intelli-
gence, amiability, and good humor, one
of those young fellows who make friends
wherever they go, because they are
themselves obliging and friendly.
year glided rapidly by; during
which the father of the young lady died,
and was buried in Christ Church bury
ing-ground, Philadelphia, where his
grave-stone may still be seen and read.
His wife, vigorous and prudent wo-
man, carried on the house as usual so
that it still furnished a home for the
young printer. His fortunes had bright
ened during the year. The Governor of
the province, who had accidentally be-
come acquainted with his talents, had
promised to set him up in business as
printer, and was going to send him to
London to buy types, a printing press,
and whatever is necessary for the busi-
ness of printer. With this prospect
before him, the young man was embold-
ened to speak to Mrs. Read on mo-
mentous subject. He had fallen in love
with her beautiful daughter. He told
her this mighty secret, and of his intend
ed voyage to London, and of the Gov
ernor's project of establishing him in
business. Finally, he asked her daugh-
ter's hand in marriage.
Mrs. Read was far from disappearing
the match, but, like prudent mother
as she was, she called the young mans
attention to the fact that neither he nor
her daughter were yet nineteen, and
that it would be most unwise for them
to marry just as he was going upon a
long voyage, and about to engage in a
new business which might not prove
profitable. How much better to wait |
until he was safe at home again, and the |
business was well established. There
was no denying this, and he was obliged |
to submit. Having thus arranged the |
matter with the mother, he spoke to the |
daughter, who confessed with her
tongue, what her eyes probably had |
often avowed, that she loved him, and |
she promised to marry him on his return. |
He set sail, and. reached London in
due time. There he discovered that the
Governor had deceived and wronged
him most cruelty. Instead of letters OF
credit, the Governor had given him
mere letters of introduction whichsswere
absolutely worthless. The consequence
was, that this young printer of nineteen
found himself in London with ten |
ponnds in his pocket, and not friend in