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"Ben Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography: Page 47
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printing-house, continu'd the quarrel, high words pass'd on both sides, he gave
me the quarter's warning we had stipulated, expressing a wish that he had not
been oblig'd to so long a warning. I told him his wish was unnecessary, for I
would leave him that instant; and so, taking my hat, walk'd out of doors,
desiring Meredith, whom I saw below, to take care of some things I left, and
bring them to my lodgings.
Meredith came accordingly in the evening, when we talked my affair over. He had
conceiv'd a great regard for me, and was very unwilling that I should leave the
house while he remain'd in it. He dissuaded me from returning to my native
country, which I began to think of; he reminded me that Keimer was in debt for
all he possess'd; that his creditors began to be uneasy; that he kept his shop
miserably, sold often without profit for ready money, and often trusted without
keeping accounts; that he must therefore fall, which would make a vacancy I
might profit of. I objected my want of money. He then let me know that his
father had a high opinion of me, and, from some discourse that had pass'd
between them, he was sure would advance money to set us up, if I would enter
into partnership with him. "My time," says he, "will be out with Keimer in the
spring; by that time we may have our press and types in from London. I am
sensible I am no workman; if you like it, your skill in the business shall be
set against the stock I furnish, and we will share the profits equally."
The proposal was agreeable, and I consented; his father was in town and approv'd
of it; the more as he saw I had great influence with his son, had prevail'd on
him to abstain long from dram-drinking, and he hop'd might break him off that
wretched habit entirely, when we came to be so closely connected. I gave an
inventory to the father, who carry'd it to a merchant; the things were sent for,
the secret was to be kept till they should arrive, and in the mean time I was to
get work, if I could, at the other printing-house. But I found no vacancy there,
and so remain'd idle a few days, when Keimer, on a prospect of being employ'd to
print some paper money in New Jersey, which would require cuts and various types
that I only could supply, and apprehending Bradford might engage me and get the
jobb from him, sent me a very civil message, that old friends should not part
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