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"Ben Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography: Page 26
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again to Philadelphia, advis'd me to behave respectfully to the people there,
endeavor to obtain the general esteem, and avoid lampooning and libeling, to
which he thought I had too much inclination; telling me, that by steady industry
and a prudent parsimony I might save enough by the time I was one-and-twenty to
set me up; and that, if I came near the matter, he would help me out with the
rest. This was all I could obtain, except some small gifts as tokens of his and
my mother's love, when I embark'd again for New York, now with their approbation
and their blessing.
The sloop putting in at Newport, Rhode Island, I visited my brother John, who
had been married and settled there some years. He received me very
affectionately, for he always lov'd me. A friend of his, one Vernon, having some
money due to him in Pensilvania, about thirty-five pounds currency, desired I
would receive it for him, and keep it till I had his directions what to remit it
in. Accordingly, he gave me an order. This afterwards occasion'd me a good deal
of uneasiness.
At Newport we took in a number of passengers for New York, among which were two
young women, companions, and a grave, sensible, matron-like Quaker woman, with
her attendants. I had shown an obliging readiness to do her some little
services, which impress'd her I suppose with a degree of good will toward me;
therefore, when she saw a daily growing familiarity between me and the two young
women, which they appear'd to encourage, she took me aside, and said: "Young
man, I am concern'd for thee, as thou has no friend with thee, and seems not to
know much of the world, or of the snares youth is expos'd to; depend upon it,
those are very bad women; I can see it in all their actions; and if thee art not
upon thy guard, they will draw thee into some danger; they are strangers to
thee, and I advise thee, in a friendly concern for thy welfare, to have no
acquaintance with them." As I seem'd at first not to think so ill of them as she
did, she mentioned some things she had observ'd and heard that had escap'd my
notice, but now convinc'd me she was right. I thank'd her for her kind advice,
and promis'd to follow it. When we arriv'd at New York, they told me where they
liv'd, and invited me to come and see them; but I avoided it, and it was well I
did; for the next day the captain miss'd a silver spoon and some other things,
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