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"Ben Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography: Page 42
of 154
Wygate, who was desirous of becoming a master, grew more and more attach'd to me
on that account, as well as from the similarity of our studies. He at length
proposed to me travelling all over Europe together, supporting ourselves
everywhere by working at our business. I was once inclined to it; but,
mentioning it to my good friend Mr. Denham, with whom I often spent an hour when
I had leisure, he dissuaded me from it, advising me to think only of returning
to Pennsilvania, which he was now about to do.
I must record one trait of this good man's character. He had formerly been in
business at Bristol, but failed in debt to a number of people, compounded and
went to America. There, by a close application to business as a merchant, he
acquir'd a plentiful fortune in a few years. Returning to England in the ship
with me, he invited his old creditors to an entertainment, at which he thank'd
them for the easy composition they had favored him with, and, when they expected
nothing but the treat, every man at the first remove found under his plate an
order on a banker for the full amount of the unpaid remainder with interest.
He now told me he was about to return to Philadelphia, and should carry over a
great quantity of goods in order to open a store there. He propos'd to take me
over as his clerk, to keep his books, in which he would instruct me, copy his
letters, and attend the store. He added that, as soon as I should be acquainted
with mercantile business, he would promote me by sending me with a cargo of
flour and bread, etc., to the West Indies, and procure me commissions from
others which would be profitable; and, if I manag'd well, would establish me
handsomely. The thing pleas'd me; for I was grown tired of London, remembered
with pleasure the happy months I had spent in Pennsylvania, and wish'd again to
see it; therefore I immediately agreed on the terms of fifty pounds a year,
Pennsylvania money; less, indeed, than my present gettings as a compositor, but
affording a better prospect.
I now took leave of printing, as I thought, for ever, and was daily employed in
my new business, going about with Mr. Denham among the tradesmen to purchase
various articles, and seeing them pack'd up, doing errands, calling upon workmen
to dispatch, etc.; and, when all was on board, I had a few days' leisure. On one
of these days, I was, to my surprise, sent for by a great man I knew only by
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