the autobiography of ben franklin(本富兰克林自传)-第9节
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quitting Boston fully and in such a light as to convince him I was not so
wrong as he had apprehended。
Sir William Keith； governor of the province； was then at Newcastle；
and Captain Holmes； happening to be in company with him when my
letter came to hand； spoke to him of me； and show'd him the letter。 The
governor read it； and seem'd surpris'd when he was told my age。 He said I
appear'd a young man of promising parts； and therefore should be
encouraged； the printers at Philadelphia were wretched ones； and； if I
would set up there； he made no doubt I should succeed； for his part； he
would procure me the public business； and do me every other service in
his power。 This my brother…in…law afterwards told me in Boston； but I
knew as yet nothing of it； when； one day； Keimer and I being at work
together near the window； we saw the governor and another gentleman
（which proved to be Colonel French； of Newcastle）； finely dress'd； come
directly across the street to our house； and heard them at the door。
Keimer ran down immediately； thinking it a visit to him； but the
governor inquir'd for me； came up； and with a condescension of politeness
I had been quite unus'd to； made me many compliments； desired to be
acquainted with me； blam'd me kindly for not having made myself known
to him when I first came to the place； and would have me away with him
to the tavern； where he was going with Colonel French to taste； as he said；
some excellent Madeira。 I was not a little surprised； and Keimer star'd like
a pig poison'd。 I went； however； with the governor and Colonel French to a
tavern； at the corner of Third…street； and over the Madeira he propos'd my
setting up my business； laid before me the probabilities of success； and
both he and Colonel French assur'd me I should have their interest and
influence in procuring the public business of both governments。 On my
doubting whether my father would assist me in it； Sir William said he
would give me a letter to him； in which he would state the advantages； and
he did not doubt of prevailing with him。 So it was concluded I should
return to Boston in the first vessel； with the governor's letter
recommending me to my father。 In the mean time the intention was to be
kept a secret； and I went on working with Keimer as usual； the governor
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sending for me now and then to dine with him； a very great honor I
thought it； and conversing with me in the most affable； familiar； and
friendly manner imaginable。
About the end of April； 1724； a little vessel offer'd for Boston。 I took
leave of Keimer as going to see my friends。 The governor gave me an
ample letter； saying many flattering things of me to my father； and
strongly recommending the project of my setting up at Philadelphia as a
thing that must make my fortune。 We struck on a shoal in going down the
bay； and sprung a leak； we had a blustering time at sea； and were oblig'd to
pump almost continually； at which I took my turn。 We arriv'd safe；
however； at Boston in about a fortnight。 I had been absent seven months；
and my friends had heard nothing of me； for my br。 Holmes was not yet
return'd； and had not written about me。 My unexpected appearance
surpriz'd the family； all were； however； very glad to see me； and made me
welcome； except my brother。 I went to see him at his printing…house。 I was
better dress'd than ever while in his service； having a genteel new suit
from head to foot； a watch； and my pockets lin'd with near five pounds
sterling in silver。 He receiv'd me not very frankly； look'd me all over； and
turn'd to his work again。
The journeymen were inquisitive where I had been； what sort of a
country it was； and how I lik'd it。 I prais'd it much； the happy life I led in it；
expressing strongly my intention of returning to it； and； one of them
asking what kind of money we had there； I produc'd a handful of silver；
and spread it before them； which was a kind of raree…show they had not
been us'd to； paper being the money of Boston。 Then I took an opportunity
of letting them see my watch； and； lastly （my brother still grum and sullen）；
I gave them a piece of eight to drink； and took my leave。 This visit of mine
offended him extreamly； for； when my mother some time after spoke to
him of a reconciliation； and of her wishes to see us on good terms together；
and that we might live for the future as brothers； he said I had insulted him
in such a manner before his people that he could never forget or forgive it。
In this； however； he was mistaken。
My father received the governor's letter with some apparent surprise；
but said little of it to me for some days； when Capt。 Holmes returning he
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showed it to him； ask'd him if he knew Keith； and what kind of man he
was； adding his opinion that he must be of small discretion to think of
setting a boy up in business who wanted yet three years of being at man's
estate。 Holmes said what he could in favor of the project； but my father
was clear in the impropriety of it； and at last gave a flat denial to it。 Then
he wrote a civil letter to Sir William； thanking him for the patronage he
had so kindly offered me； but declining to assist me as yet in setting up； I
being； in his opinion； too young to be trusted with the management of a
business so important； and for which the preparation must be so
expensive。
My friend and companion Collins； who was a clerk in the post…office；
pleas'd with the account I gave him of my new country； determined to go
thither also； and； while I waited for my father's determination； he set out
before me by land to Rhode Island； leaving his books； which were a pretty
collection of mathematicks and natural philosophy； to come with mine and
me to New York； where he propos'd to wait for me。
My father； tho' he did not approve Sir William's proposition； was yet
pleas'd that I had been able to obtain so advantageous a character from a
person of such note where I had resided； and that I had been so industrious
and careful as to equip myself so handsomely in so short a time； therefore；
seeing no prospect of an accommodation between my brother and me； he
gave his consent to my returning 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
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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
