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"Ben Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography: Page 28
of 154
At length he had got so much of it that I was distress'd to think what I should
do in case of being call'd on to remit it.
His drinking continu'd, about which we sometimes quarrell'd;, for, when a little
intoxicated, he was very fractious. Once, in a boat on the Delaware with some
other young men, he refused to row in his turn. "I will be row'd home," says he.
"We will not row you," says I. "You must, or stay all night on the water," says
he, "just as you please." The others said, "Let us row; what signifies it?" But,
my mind being soured with his other conduct, I continu'd to refuse. So he swore
he would make me row, or throw me overboard; and coming along, stepping on the
thwarts, toward me, when he came up and struck at me, I clapped my hand under
his crutch, and, rising, pitched him head-foremost into the river. I knew he was
a good swimmer, and so was under little concern about him; but before he could
get round to lay hold of the boat, we had with a few strokes pull'd her out of
his reach; and ever when he drew near the boat, we ask'd if he would row,
striking a few strokes to slide her away from him. He was ready to die with
vexation, and obstinately would not promise to row. However, seeing him at last
beginning to tire, we lifted him in and brought him home dripping wet in the
evening. We hardly exchang'd a civil word afterwards, and a West India captain,
who had a commission to procure a tutor for the sons of a gentleman at
Barbadoes, happening to meet with him, agreed to carry him thither. He left me
then, promising to remit me the first money he should receive in order to
discharge the debt; but I never heard of him after.
The breaking into this money of Vernon's was one of the first great errata of my
life; and this affair show'd that my father was not much out in his judgment
when he suppos'd me too young to manage business of importance. But Sir William,
on reading his letter, said he was too prudent. There was great difference in
persons; and discretion did not always accompany years, nor was youth always
without it. "And since he will not set you up," says he, "I will do it myself.
Give me an inventory of the things necessary to be had from England, and I will
send for them. You shall repay me when you are able; I am resolv'd to have a
good printer here, and I am sure you must succeed." This was spoken with such an
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