Benjamin Franklin: A Picture of the Struggles of Our Infant Nation One Hundred Years AgoAbbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot)
History
Benjamin Franklin: A Picture of the Struggles of Our Infant Nation One Hundred Years Ago
Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot)
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790; Statesmen -- United States -- Biography
It is not easy to imagine in these days, the state of society in these
early settlements, hewn out from the forests on the river's banks, and
with the unexplored wilderness spreading out to unimagined regions
in the interior. At night, even from the houses of the village, the
howling of the wolves could be heard as they rushed after their prey.
Bears and deers were shot in abundance. And Indian bands, painted and
plumed, were ever swarming through the streets.
Franklin walked along, devouring his rolls, and returned to the river
for a drink of water. Such was his first breakfast in Philadelphia. In
the boat was a poor woman with her child. Franklin gave to her the two
remaining rolls, which he could not conveniently carry about with him.
Not knowing what to do, and led by curiosity to explore the town, he
returned to Market street, then one of the chief avenues of the city.
It was a little after ten o'clock in the morning. The street was
crowded with well-dressed people, pressing along to church. There was
one important edifice called the "Great Meeting House" of the Quakers.
It stood at the corner of Second and Market streets.
Franklin joined the crowd, and took his seat with the vast assembly.
He soon fell soundly asleep. The hour passed away. The congregation
dispersed, and Benjamin was left still asleep. Some one then kindly
awoke the tired traveler, and he again stepped out into the streets so
lonely, where there was not an individual whom he knew, and where
almost without money he could find no refuge which he could call a
home.
As he walked toward the river, he met a young Quaker whose countenance
pleased him. Of him he inquired where he could find a respectable and
comfortable lodging. The friendly Quaker led him to a tavern, near
Chestnut street, called the "Crooked Billet." Franklin ordered a
frugal dinner, threw himself upon the bed, and slept till supper time,
and immediately after supper went to bed and slept soundly till the
morning.
He had now been from home eleven days. His money was nearly expended.
His clothes were worn; and almost the only hope remaining was the very
visionary one that Mr. Bradford's son might possibly have some
employment for him. Early in the morning he carefully brushed his
travel-worn clothes, his shoes, his hat, and making himself as
respectable in appearance as possible, went to the house of the
printer, Andrew Bradford. To his surprise and gratification he found
the father there, who had just arrived, having traveled from New York
to Philadelphia on horseback.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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