“First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and endearing scenes of private life.  Pious, just, humane, temperate, uniform, dignified, and commanding, his example was edifying to all around him, as were the effects of that example lasting.

“Such was the man America has lost!  Such was the man for whom our country mourns!”

THE STORY OF

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

TO THE YOUNG READER

* * * * *

I am about to tell you the story of a very great and noble man.  It is the story of one whom all the world honors—­of one whose name will forever be remembered with admiration.  Benjamin Franklin was not born to greatness.  He had none of the advantages which even the poorest boys may now enjoy.  But he achieved greatness by always making the best use of such opportunities as came in his way.  He was not afraid of work.  He did not give up to discouragements.  He did not overestimate his own abilities.  He was earnest and faithful in little things; and that, after all, is the surest way of attaining to great things.  There is no man to whom we Americans owe a greater debt of gratitude.  Without his aid the American colonies would hardly have won independence.  It was said of him that he knew how to subdue both thunder and tyranny; and a famous orator who knew him well, described him as “the genius that gave freedom to America and shed torrents of light upon Europe.”  But, at the close of a very long life, the thing which gave him the greatest satisfaction was the fact that he had made no man his enemy; there was no human being who could justly say, “Ben Franklin has wronged me.”

THE STORY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

* * * * *

I.—­The whistle.

Nearly two hundred years ago, there lived in Boston a little boy whose name was Benjamin Franklin.

On the day that he was seven years old, his mother gave him a few pennies.

He looked at the bright, yellow pieces and said, “What shall I do with these coppers, mother?”

It was the first money that he had ever had.

“You may buy something with them, if you would like,” said his mother.

“And will you give me more when they are gone?” he asked.

His mother shook her head and said:  “No, Benjamin.  I cannot give you any more.  So you must be careful not to spend them foolishly.”

The little fellow ran out into the street.  He heard the pennies jingle in his pocket as he ran.  He felt as though he was very rich.

Boston was at that time only a small town, and there were not many stores.  As Benjamin ran down toward the busy part of the street, he wondered what he should buy.