“Well, then,” said Mr. Temple, “I will introduce you to a Boston boy, whom all the world became acquainted with, after he grew to be a man.”

The story was as follows:—­

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

BORN 1706.  DIED 1790.

In the year 1716, or about that period, a boy used to be seen in the streets of Boston, who was known among his schoolfellows and playmates by the name of Ben Franklin.  Ben was born in 1706; so that he was now about ten years old.  His father, who had come over from England, was a soap-boiler and tallow-chandler, and resided in Milk Street, not far from the old South Church.

Ben was a bright boy at his book, and even a brighter one when at play with his comrades.  He had some remarkable qualities which always seemed to give him the lead, whether at sport or in more serious matters.  I might tell you a number of amusing anecdotes about him.  You are acquainted, I suppose, with his famous story of the Whistle, and how he bought it with a whole pocketful of coppers, and afterwards repented of his bargain.  But Ben had grown a great boy since those days, and had gained wisdom by experience; for it was one of his peculiarities, that no incident ever happened to him without teaching him some valuable lesson.  Thus he generally profited more by his misfortunes, than many people do by the most favorable events that could befall them.

Ben’s face was already pretty well known to the inhabitants of Boston.  The selectmen, and other people of note, often used to visit his father, for the sake of talking about the affairs of the town or province.  Mr. Franklin was considered a person of great wisdom and integrity, and was respected by all who knew him, although he supported his family by the humble trade of boiling soap, and making tallow-candles.

While his father and the visitors were holding deep consultations about public affairs, little Ben would sit on his stool in a corner, listening with the greatest interest, as if he understood every word.  Indeed, his features were so full of intelligence, that there could be but little doubt, not only that he understood what was said, but that he could have expressed some very sagacious opinions out of his own mind.  But, in those days, boys were expected to be silent in the presence of their elders.  However, Ben Franklin was looked upon as a very promising lad, who would talk and act wisely by and by.

“Neighbor Franklin,” his father’s friends would sometimes say, “you ought to send this boy to college and make a minister of him.”

“I have often thought of it,” his father would reply; “and my brother Benjamin promises to give him a great many volumes of manuscript sermons in case he should be educated for the church.  But I have a large family to support, and cannot afford the expense.”

In fact, Mr. Franklin found it so difficult to provide bread for his family, that, when the boy was ten years old, it became necessary to take him from school.  Ben was then employed in cutting candlewicks into equal lengths, and filling the moulds with tallow; and many families in Boston spent their evenings by the light of the candles which he had helped to make.  Thus, you see, in his early days, as well as in his manhood his labors contributed to throw light upon dark matters.