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ing whether my father would assist me in it, Sir William said return d, and had not written about me. My unexpected ap-
he would give me a letter to him, in which he would state pearance surpriz d the family; all were, however, very glad
the advantages, and he did not doubt of prevailing with to see me, and made me welcome, except my brother. I went
him. So it was concluded I should return to Boston in the to see him at his printing-house. I was better dress d than
first vessel, with the governor s letter recommending me to ever while in his service, having a genteel new suit from
my father. In the mean time the intention was to be kept a head to foot, a watch, and my pockets lin d with near five
secret, and I went on working with Keimer as usual, the pounds sterling in silver. He receiv d me not very frankly,
governor sending for me now and then to dine with him, a look d me all over, and turn d to his work again.
very great honor I thought it, and conversing with me in The journeymen were inquisitive where I had been, what
the most affable, familiar, and friendly manner imaginable. sort of a country it was, and how I lik d it. I prais d it much,
About the end of April, 1724, a little vessel offer d for the happy life I led in it, expressing strongly my intention
Boston. I took leave of Keimer as going to see my friends. of returning to it; and, one of them asking what kind of
The governor gave me an ample letter, saying many flatter- money we had there, I produc d a handful of silver, and spread
ing things of me to my father, and strongly recommending it before them, which was a kind of raree-show they had not
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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
been us d to, paper being the money of Boston. Then I took setting up, I being, in his opinion, too young to be trusted
an opportunity of letting them see my watch; and, lastly with the management of a business so important, and for
(my brother still grum and sullen), I gave them a piece of which the preparation must be so expensive.
eight to drink, and took my leave. This visit of mine of- My friend and companion Collins, who was a clerk in the
fended him extreamly; for, when my mother some time af- post-office, pleas d with the account I gave him of my new
ter spoke to him of a reconciliation, and of her wishes to see country, determined to go thither also; and, while I waited
us on good terms together, and that we might live for the for my father s determination, he set out before me by land
future as brothers, he said I had insulted him in such a to Rhode Island, leaving his books, which were a pretty col-
manner before his people that he could never forget or for- lection of mathematicks and natural philosophy, to come
give it. In this, however, he was mistaken. with mine and me to New York, where he propos d to wait
My father received the governor s letter with some appar- for me.
ent surprise, but said little of it to me for some days, when My father, tho he did not approve Sir William s proposi-
Capt. Holmes returning he showed it to him, ask d him if he tion, was yet pleas d that I had been able to obtain so ad-
knew Keith, and what kind of man he was; adding his opin- vantageous a character from a person of such note where I
ion that he must be of small discretion to think of setting a had resided, and that I had been so industrious and careful
boy up in business who wanted yet three years of being at as to equip myself so handsomely in so short a time; there-
man s estate. Holmes said what he could in favor of the fore, seeing no prospect of an accommodation between my
project, but my father was clear in the impropriety of it, brother and me, he gave his consent to my returning again
and at last gave a flat denial to it. Then he wrote a civil to Philadelphia, advis d me to behave respectfully to the
letter to Sir William, thanking him for the patronage he had people there, endeavor to obtain the general esteem, and
so kindly offered me, but declining to assist me as yet in avoid lampooning and libeling, to which he thought I had
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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
too much inclination; telling me, that by steady industry degree of good will toward me; therefore, when she saw a
and a prudent parsimony I might save enough by the time I daily growing familiarity between me and the two young
was one-and-twenty to set me up; and that, if I came near women, which they appear d to encourage, she took me aside,
the matter, he would help me out with the rest. This was all and said: Young man, I am concern d for thee, as thou has
I could obtain, except some small gifts as tokens of his and no friend with thee, and seems not to know much of the
my mother s love, when I embark d again for New York, now world, or of the snares youth is expos d to; depend upon it,
with their approbation and their blessing. those are very bad women; I can see it in all their actions;
The sloop putting in at Newport, Rhode Island, I visited and if thee art not upon thy guard, they will draw thee into
my brother John, who had been married and settled there some danger; they are strangers to thee, and I advise thee,
some years. He received me very affectionately, for he al- in a friendly concern for thy welfare, to have no acquain-
ways lov d me. A friend of his, one Vernon, having some tance with them. As I seem d at first not to think so ill of
money due to him in Pensilvania, about thirty-five pounds them as she did, she mentioned some things she had observ d
currency, desired I would receive it for him, and keep it till and heard that had escap d my notice, but now convinc d
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