. The library of historic characters and famous events of all nations and all ages . onformist to the Church of Eno^land, emigratedto America and settled in Boston. He was twice marriedand had seventeen children, of whom Benjamin, born January6, 1706, was the youngest son. Josias was a tallow-chandler,and Benjamin, at the age of ten, was called from school toassist in that occupation. At twelve he went to a cousins tolearn the trade of cutler; but when his brother James returnedfrom England to open a printing-office, Benjamin found therehis true destiny. He was a lover of books, and had alread
. The library of historic characters and famous events of all nations and all ages . onformist to the Church of Eno^land, emigratedto America and settled in Boston. He was twice marriedand had seventeen children, of whom Benjamin, born January6, 1706, was the youngest son. Josias was a tallow-chandler,and Benjamin, at the age of ten, was called from school toassist in that occupation. At twelve he went to a cousins tolearn the trade of cutler; but when his brother James returnedfrom England to open a printing-office, Benjamin found therehis true destiny. He was a lover of books, and had alreadygathered a number, and made himself familiar with Plutarch,Bunyan and Defoe. In 1721 James Franklin ventured to publish a newspaper,called T/ie New England Courant^ the third regularly issuedin America. For its columns young Benjamin wrote severalarticles, and as they were contributed anonymously, he hadthe gratification of hearing them attributed by frequenters ofhis brothers shop to some leading men of the town. Theboy worked diligently at case, and saved time from meals to346. \ ^ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. 347 read and study. James Franklin was arrested and imprisonedfor publishing a political article which gave offence to theauthorities ; but the paper was still issued in the name of Ben-jamin. As it prospered under his management, and thesecret of his contributions became known, James becamejealous of his brother, and treated him with such harshnessthat Benjamin ran away. He went to New York, but beingunable to obtain employment, crossed the Jerseys on foot andassisted in rowing the boat that brought him down the Dela-ware from Burlington to Philadelphia. Andrew Bradford, the only printer in Philadelphia, wasnot able to give Franklin employment, yet gave him lodgingtill he could secure a place. This he obtained with a GermanJew named Keimer, who proposed to start a rival office,though he knew little of the trade, and depended on Franklin,then only seventeen years of age, to make
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