The author once advised a youth of fourteen to read certain books, accustoming himself to write down in a note-book striking facts and thoughts for preservation. At the same time he was advised to procure a blank book and write therein a sentence or short paragraph each day, without omission, the sentence or paragraph to contain the development of some thought that was waiting utterance. At that time there was no prospect that the youth would ever receive a liberal education. He was a farmer's son, and his father was unable to educate him. The most the author had in view was to provide him,--a bright, active, promising boy, fond of reading,--with a source of improving entertainment and profit. But he caught the idea with so much enthusiasm, and reduced it to practice so thoroughly, that an unquenchable desire for an education was nursed into controlling power; and he went through college, studied theology, became pastor of one of the largest Congregational churches in the country, stood among the most eloquent preachers in the land at thirty, received the degree of Doctor of Divinity at forty, and now, at a little more than fifty, is the beloved and able pastor of a large church in a New England city. This result was brought about by the discipline of reading and writing in his youth, very similar to that which made Benjamin a statesman and philosopher. XV. THE "COURANT" IN TROUBLE. "The Legislature is calling you to an account," said a customer to James Franklin, as he entered the office. "The officials can't put up with your cutting criticisms." "I am aware of that. I heard that they were going to haul the _Courant_ over the coals; but I do not see what they can do about it." "They can stop your printing it, I suppose. It would be an intolerant act, of course; but governments have never been tolerant towards the press, you know." "The day is coming when they will be," responded James. "A free press is indispensable to human progress. So long as I run the _Courant_ it shall speak plainly of intolerance and hypocrisy of every form. I shall hit the corruption of the times in high places or low." "That is sound doctrine," replied the customer. "I endorse it, but government officials do not. They feel very sore, and will make trouble for you if they can." At that moment Benjamin came rushing into the office under considerable excitement. "The Assembly are having a hot debate over the _Courant_," he said. "I heard a gentleman say that they would stop the publication of the paper, if possible." "Perhaps they will, but I doubt it," replied James. "The _Courant_ will not be muzzled so long as I own it." "It ought not to be," responded the customer. "We need an outspoken paper that will rebuke corruption and shams everywhere." "And that is all the trouble," said Benjamin. "That is what the Assembly and the ministers denounce. They are better friends of the British government than they are of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay."