[Illustration: PRINTING PRESS _From a photo of the press used by Franklin when in London, and now in the National Museum, Washington, D.C._] The governor had not even given him letters of introduction, to say nothing of money, and Franklin found himself a stranger in one of the largest cities in the world. [Sidenote: =In a London printing office=] He did not whine or spend his time grumbling, but went bravely to work in a printing office. He set a good example to his beer-drinking comrades by drinking only water and proving he was stronger and able to do more work and do it better than any of them. [Sidenote: =Returns to Philadelphia and marries=] The next year a Philadelphia merchant persuaded Franklin to return to America to become his clerk. But in a few years he went to work again at his old trade as printer, and in a short time became the editor of the _Pennsylvania Gazette_. Franklin had already married Miss Reed, the young lady who had laughed at him for making a show of himself on his first day in Philadelphia. [Illustration: A FRANKLIN STOVE _After a model in the rooms of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia_] [Sidenote: =Founds three great institutions=] =78. A Rising Young Man.= He was now a rising young man in the old Quaker city. From year to year he did many things to help others. He started a circulating library, the first in America, out of which has grown the Philadelphia Public Library. He founded a school which has become the great University of Pennsylvania, and a society, called the American Philosophical Society, which still holds important meetings. [Sidenote: =Invents a stove=] [Sidenote: =Forms the first fire department=] Franklin improved the heating of houses by inventing the "Franklin stove," but refused to take out a patent and thus make himself rich at other people's expense. He also formed the first "fire department" in any American town. [Sidenote: =Poor Richard's sayings=] Who has not heard of _Poor Richard's Almanac_? Franklin printed it, and the people liked it so well that he sometimes printed ten thousand copies. Here are a few of the quaint and true sayings: "A word to the wise is enough." "God helps those who help themselves." "Early to bed and early to rise, Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." [Sidenote: =Economy is the road to wealth=] Franklin and his young wife kept these rules faithfully. She worked in the printing office as well as in the house. They hired no servants: Their furniture, dress, and food were plain. He ate his breakfast of bread and milk out of a wooden bowl with a pewter spoon. Mrs. Franklin surprised him one day by giving him a china bowl and a silver spoon. She said her husband deserved such things as well as other men. [Sidenote: =Elected to office=]