Year: 1872

On fine Sunday morning in Octo-
Der, 1928, Deborah Read, a beautiful
and blooming lass of eighteen, stood at
the door of her fathers house in Mar
ket street, Philadelphia.


The city was forty-three years OF
age, and it contained 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
yet the streets were all unpaved. 1t was
a large, tranquil Quaker village, sur
rounded by the primeval wilderness,
with groups of Indians frequently to
be seen in the 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, a strange fig
ure that both amused and surprised her.
1t was stout lad of seventeen, not i'll
looking, but dressed in the very eX-
treme of shabbiness. He wore the
working-clothes of an ordinary appren-
tice, and these, by exposure to rain and
the wear and tear of travel, had be-
come dirty and delapidated. The pock-
cts of his coat were stuffed out with
shirts and, stockings, and under each
arm he had a large roll' while he was
eating a third. She gazed at him as
long as she could see him, wondering
and laughing at his ridiculous appear
ance. Ii she had any thoughts upon
the subject, she probably set him down
as runaway apprentice, for such i'll
deed he was, one Benjamin Franklin,
who had made his way from Boston by
sloop, by barge, and OH foot, to escape
the tyranny of his brother, to whom he
had been apprenticed.


A few days passed. Miss Read learned
from her father that young man was
coming to board with them, 4 printer,
who worked in one of the two printing
houses of the town. What was her sur
prise 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 morn
ing. His chest had arrived by sea, and
thus he was able to present himself at
his new abode in a becoming costume.
The young man proved highly agree
able to the family. He was full of in
telligence, amiability, and good hum or,
one of those young fellows who make
friends wherever they go, because they
are themselves obliging and friendly.


A year glided rapidly by; during
which the father of the young lady
died, and was buried in Christ Church
burying ground, Philadelphia, where
his gravestone may be still seen and
read. His wife, Il vigorous and pru-
dent woman carried ON the house as
usual; SO that it still furnished home
for the young printer. His fortunes
had frightened during the year. The
governor of the province, who had ac-
cidentally become 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 neces-
sary for the business of printer. With
this prospect before him, the young man
was emboldened to speak to Mrs. Read
on q momentous subject. He had fallen
in love with her beautiful daughter. He
told her this mighty secret, and of his
intended voyage to London, and of the
governors project of establishing him
in business. Finally, he asked her
daughters hand in marriage.


Mrs. Read was far from disapprovins
the match, but like a prudent mother as
she was, she called the young mans at
tention to the fact that neither he mol
her daughter were yet nineteen, and
that it would be most unwise for them
to marry just as he was going upon q
long voyage, and about to engage in z
new business which might not prove
profitable. How much better to wait
until he was safe home again, and the
business was well established. There
was 10 denying this, and he was Obliged
to submit. Having thus arranged the
matter with the mother, he spoke to the
daughter, who confessed with hel
tongue, what her eyes had often avowed


that she loved him; and she promised
to marry him on his return.


He set sail, and reached London il
due time. There he discovered that tn,
governor had deceived and wronged hin


most cruelty. Instead of letters o


credit, the governor had given hin


mere letters of Introduction, whicl


were absolutely worthless. The con


sequence was that this young printer o


nineteen found himself in London Will


ten pounds in his pocket, and not .


friend in Europe who could be of tn,


slightest help to him. To complete hi


misfortunes one his Philadelphia friends


who had crossed the Atlantic with him


and had come to London expecting t.
live by literature, could obtain no EN-


plOyment, and had no resource bu


Franklin's purse. The printer was no