Smyrna times., 1926-02-17
BOY OF NINTH GRADE WRITES
ESSAY ON BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
FRANK GREENWELL, SON OF H.
T. GREENWELL, COMMENDED
His Subject, 'The Many Sided Frank
lin," is a Comparative Essay Writ
ten for National Thrift Committee

ten for National Thrift Committee
Frank GreenweI, the 13-year-old |
son of H. T. Greenwell, Smyrna's we'll |
known meat merchant, who is in the |
ninth grade of the Smyrna Special |
District Schools, has come into well |
merited commentator for his essay
on 'The Many-sided Franklin" which
is written in competition with other
essays for the National Thrift Com
mittee. Frank is in the ninth grade
and is one of the brightest boys in
the school. His essay in full is as
follows:
con the day of January II, 1905,
boy who was destined to become one
of the greatest statesmen ever known,
first saw the light of day. AT the
age of eight, he was put in a gram
mar school by his father, who wished
him to enter the ministry. Little
Benjamin soon became the head of
his class. At ten years old Franklin's
father called him home to assist him
in his business of being a tallow-
chandler and soap-boiler. Benjamin
was Immediately put to work in cut
ting wick for the candles.
Learned His Trade at Printing
Franklin never liked the trade, and
often wanted to go to sea. In 1718,
he was apprenticed to his brother,
James, as printer, through his faith
er's wishes. In little while Frank
lin grew to be a very useful hand to
his brother. James, in 1920 or '21,
had started a newspaper. This was
the second that was seen in America,
and James named it 'The New Eng
land Courant." James had some
friends who wrote for his paper,which
gained fame for it. Benjamin was
now determined to try his hand at
writing an article, and he wrote an
anonymous letter in a disguised hand,
which he placed under the door of the
printing shop. The next morning,
James's friends called as usual and
commented on Benjamin's article, dis
cussing the question of its authorship.
Benjamin felt fattered to hear the
praise bestowed upon him by the
writer's. However, when James heard
of the source of his articles, he was
angry and beat Benjamin. One Of
the pieces which James printed, of
Tended the assembly. James was ar
rested, and imprisoned for one month.
When he got out of Jail, his discharge
said that James Franklin should no
longer print the "New England Cour-
ant" James thought of a plan by
which the paper would be printed un-
der the name of Benjamin Franklin,
but Benjamin, seeing his chance, left
him. He decided to go to New York
which he reached in a few days, with
out any recommendation. ThereupOn
he made up his mind to go to Phila-
delphia, and upon arriving there, he
bought three large puffy rolls. While
walking down Market street, eating
one roll and having one under each
arm, he was laughed at by Miss Read
who was to become his future wife
He heard of a new printer named
Keimer in town, and decided to seek
employment with him. Keimer hireC
him, and he set to work. Keimer':
printing press was a very old ont
which was extremely hard to operate
Went to England But Returned
In April, 1924, Franklin visited hi
father who refused to set him up il
business. During this time Franklin
was on a vegetarian diet with Keimel
and it reduced the cost of living. Gov
emOr Keith promised him letters o
recommendation when Franklin wish
ed to go to England, but Goveno
Keith was a man who neglected hi
promises. When the ship left Ne7
York, Franklin departed without hi
letters. When Franklin reached Eng
land after an eventful voyage, h
found work at Palmer's, then a fan
Gus printing house. After while h
left Palmer's to work at Watts
which was a still better printin
house. The men at this house dram
large glasses Of beer. They wondere
at the fact that Franklin was strong
er than they because he drank waite
He now decided to leave printing
London, and return to America. T
landed in Philadelphia, and Mr.. De
ham, who was a man who had be-
. friendly toward Franklin on t.
journey to England, and he set up
IT, business. Franklin respected al
loved Mr.. Denham, and was very ha
py in the business. Keimer, the priT
er, offered him large wages to retu
to printing. At this time Frank
- and Mr.. Denham were both tax
sick. Franklin recovered, but n
Denham died, leaving Franklin a pC
tion of his estate. Being unable
N find employment elsewhere, Frank
'rk went back with Keimer. He so
ma found out why Keimer was offeri