Part 26 (1/2)
[Illustration: ”Sawdust Pudding”--Anecdote of Franklin's Independence--See page 242]
”No,” he answered, ”my father has really been disappointed, and is really unable; and I a to distress him further I see this is a business I am unfit for I was bred a farmer; and it was folly in e, an apprentice to learn a new trade Many of our Welsh people (he was a Welsh to settle in North Carolina, where land is cheap
I ao with them, and follow my old employment; you may find friends to assist you If you will take the debts of the company upon you, return to my father the hundred pounds he has advanced, pay ive me thirty pounds and a new saddle, I will relinquish the partnershi+p, and leave the whole in your hands”
Franklin accepted this proposition, and, with the aid of his two friends, was soon established in business alone His patronage increased rapidly, and he was able to pay off his debts In a very short ti business of the town, and Keimer sold out, and removed to Barbadoes The _Pennsylvania Gazette_, which he co before Meredith left him, won the public favour, and became a source of profit As an example of his resolution and firmness, and his economy and prudence, it is said that certain subscribers to his paper were incensed at an article that appeared in its colue;” whereupon Franklin invited the set before theuests drew back, he re_ need call no man _patron_”
Here, in early life, our hero laid the foundation of his fortune; and the reader need not be at a loss to discover the secret of his success Heelements of character which he cultivated
CHAPTER XXIV
THE JUNTO
Soon after Franklin returned fro his literary associates into a club for mutual i This club continued nearly forty years, and Franklin said of it, ”It was the best school of philosophy, morality, and politics, that then existed in the Province; for our queries, which were read the week preceding their discussion, put us upon reading with attention on the several subjects, that we ht speak more to the purpose; and here, too, we acquired better habits of conversation, everything being studied in our rules whicheach other”
”I have a proposition to subs, ”and it is this We frequently have occasion to refer to our books, in our discussions, and I propose that we bring our books together in this roo the books of the other”
”I like the plan much,” said Parsons, one of the ht of it”
”I think that every member must subscribe to this measure,” said Coleman ”I hope it will be done at once”
And thus it went round the roo his approval of the plan The consequence was, that one end of the room was filled with volumes; and the plan proved profitable to all
At that tiood bookseller's shop in any of the Colonies to the southward of Boston”
The readers of Pennsylvania usually sent to England for their books, which was both troublesome and expensive
The members of the ”JUNTO” derived so ether, that Franklin conceived the idea of establishi+ng a library, and formed his plan, which was successful He found fifty persons in town,to pay down forty shi+llings each, and ten shi+llings per annum; and with these the library was commenced This was the first library ever established in this country, and it now numbers more than sixty thousand volumes Since that day libraries haveare some of the questions for the ”JUNTO,” and they show that it was really a thorough and valuable organization
”Have you , in the author you last read, remarkable, or suitable to be communicated to the Junto? particularly in history, morality, poetry, physics, travels, e”
”Hath any citizen failed in business, and what have you heard of the cause?”
”Have you lately heard of any citizen's thriving well, and by what means?”
”Do you know of a fellow-citizen who has lately done a worthy action, deserving praise and imitation; or who has lately coainst and avoid?”
”What unhappy effects of intemperance have you lately observed or heard?--of imprudence?--of passion?--or of any other vice or folly?”
”What happy effects of temperance?--of prudence?--of moderation?--or of any other virtue?”
”Do you think of anything at present in which the Junto may be serviceable to _mankind_, to their country, to their friends, or to theer arrived in town since last , that you have heard of?--and what have you heard or observed of his character or merits?--and whether, think you, it lies in the power of the Junto to oblige hie hi beginner lately set up, whoe?”