Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-22
BEN FRANKLIN AND THE WHARF

In the year 1915, or about that time
boy used to be seen on the streets
of Boston who was known among his
| companions as Ben Franklin. He was
bright boy at his books and even a
brighter one when at play with his
comrades. There was something about
the lad that always seemed to give him
the lead among his companions.
l might tell you many amusing stor-
les about him. No doubt you have
read the famous story of Ben and his
whistle. and how he gave a whole
pocketful of pennies for one. After
ward he found that he had paid too
much for his whistle, and was very
sorry for lbs bargain.
But Ben had grown to be large boy
since those days, and had become
much much wiser. His mistakes al
ways taught him some valuable les
| son.
Ben was now at work in his fathers
| shop, and busy as his life was, he still
found time for out-of- door sports. Ben
and his companions We're very fond Of
| fishing, and they spent many hours on
the margin of pond near the out
skirts Of the town.
| The place where they fished was a
marshy spot where sea guns fitted
overhead and salt meadow grass grew
| under foot. On the edge Of the water
there was bed of wet clay in which
| the boys were forced to stand while
they caught their fish. Here they dab
bled in mud like a flock of ducks.
This is uncomfortable" said Ben
Franklin one day to his comrades.
$50 it is" said the other boys.
| What pity we have no better place
to stand!"
If it had not been for Ben, nothing
| more would have been done or said
about the matter. But it was not In
| his nature to endure a hardship with
out trying to find remedy for it.
Boys" said Ben. as he and his
| thought of plan which will be for
our benefit, and for the public benefit
His companions We're always ready
to listen to anything Ben might pro-
! pose. They remembered how he had
sailed across the mill pond by hold
| ing on to his kite string as he lay
fiat on his back in the water. A boy
who could do that might do almost
anything.
What is your plan, Ben? What is
it?' cried they all.
1t so happened that they had now
come to spot of ground where a
new house was to be built. Scatter
| ed about were a great many large
stones, and when they grew tired he
| building. Ben mounted the highest of
these stones SO that he might be heard
by all.
81 propose. boys" said Master Ben
jamin, that we build a wharf to aid
us in our fishing. You see these stones.
The workmen mean to use them for
the foundation Of house, but that will
| be for only one mans knowledge. My
plan is to carry these stones to the
edge Of the water, and build a wharf
with them.
"The stones will then be of great
help to us and also to the boats pass
ing up and down the stream. You see
the wharf will be of use to many peo-
pie. The house will benefit only one
man. What do you say, boys? Shall
We build the wharf?"
"Hurrah hurrah!" shouted all the
boys. Let's set about it at once"
Not one of them asked, SIS it right
to build wharf with stones that be-
| long to another persona" They all
agreed to be on the spot that evening
and commence their work by NOON
light. At the time set, the whole gang
Of young laborers met and began to
remove the heap Of stones.
The stones proved heavy and the
work harder than they expected. Ben
Of course, was the leader and the
boys cheerfully followed his directions
He showed them how to carry the
stones, and wehn they grew tired he
had some joke ready which set them
all into roar of laughter.
After an hour or two of hard work
the stones We're all carried to the water
side, and it was Ben Franklin who
planned the building of the wharf. Fin
ally, just as the moon sunk below the
horizon. the great work was finished.
Nov. boys" cried Ben, lets give
three cheers and go home to bed. To-
morrow we may catch fish at our
ease"
"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!" shouted
| his comrades.
| Then they all went home in such de-