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"Ben Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography: Page 21
of 154
I sat down among them, and, after looking round awhile and hearing nothing said,
being very drowsy thro' labor and want of rest the preceding night, I fell fast
asleep, and continued so till the meeting broke up, when one was kind enough to
rouse me. This was, therefore, the first house I was in, or slept in, in
Philadelphia.
Walking down again toward the river, and, looking in the faces of people, I met
a young Quaker man, whose countenance I lik'd, and, accosting him, requested he
would tell me where a stranger could get lodging. We were then near the sign of
the Three Mariners. "Here," says he, "is one place that entertains strangers,
but it is not a reputable house; if thee wilt walk with me, I'll show thee a
better." He brought me to the Crooked Billet in Water-street. Here I got a
dinner; and, while I was eating it, several sly questions were asked me, as it
seemed to be suspected from my youth and appearance, that I might be some
runaway.
After dinner, my sleepiness return'd, and being shown to a bed, I lay down
without undressing, and slept till six in the evening, was call'd to supper,
went to bed again very early, and slept soundly till next morning. Then I made
myself as tidy as I could, and went to Andrew Bradford the printer's. I found in
the shop the old man his father, whom I had seen at New York, and who,
travelling on horseback, had got to Philadelphia before me. He introduc'd me to
his son, who receiv'd me civilly, gave me a breakfast, but told me he did not at
present want a hand, being lately suppli'd with one; but there was another
printer in town, lately set up, one Keimer, who, perhaps, might employ me; if
not, I should be welcome to lodge at his house, and he would give me a little
work to do now and then till fuller business should offer.
The old gentleman said he would go with me to the new printer; and when we found
him, "Neighbor," says Bradford, "I have brought to see you a young man of your
business; perhaps you may want such a one." He ask'd me a few questions, put a
composing stick in my hand to see how I work'd, and then said he would employ me
soon, though he had just then nothing for me to do; and, taking old Bradford,
whom he had never seen before, to be one of the town's people that had a good
will for him, enter'd into a conversation on his present undertaking and
projects; while Bradford, not discovering that he was the other printer's
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