Captain Homes was a strong, good man, used to roughing it in a seafaring life; but when he read Benjamin's letter, tears stood in his eyes, and his lips quivered with emotion, as his great heart went out in sympathy for his wife's young brother. "Read that letter," he said to Governor Keith, who was present, "and then I will tell you about the author of it." Governor Keith read it, with moistened eyes, although he was a stranger to the writer and his romantic history. "A touching letter," he remarked, returning it to the captain. "The author of it is my wife's youngest brother, only a boy now." "How old?" inquired the governor. "Only seventeen." "Indeed, he must be a remarkable boy." "He is. The most gifted boy ever raised in Boston." "Then he ran away from Boston?" "Yes; his father's family is a prominent one in the city, and the eldest son is a printer, to whom this youngest son was apprenticed." "I see now," responded the governor. "That explains the letter. And he is settled now in Philadelphia?" "He is. I accidentally learned where he was, a few days ago, and wrote to him; and this letter is his answer. Let me tell you more about him." And the captain rehearsed his connection with the _Courant_, as correspondent and editor, dwelling upon his ability and power as an independent thinker, capable of canvassing and writing upon almost any public question. "Remarkable, for one so young!" exclaimed the governor, after listening to the detailed account. "Such a young man should be encouraged in his business." "So I think," responded the captain. "His letter has opened my eyes, and I see now that he had good reason to run away. I believe that he will make his mark, live where he may." "Of course he will," replied the governor. "His success is certain, only give him a chance. I will assist him to establish a printing house of his own in Philadelphia, and he shall have the government printing to do." "He is abundantly qualified to do it, and I think any aid of that sort you can give him will be for your interest as well as his. He is reliable and will do his best." The captain said this in the honesty of his heart, having a strong desire to see Benjamin rise. "We have two printing houses in Philadelphia now; but they are poor affairs," continued the governor. "Neither proprietor understands his business, and one of them is very ignorant. I think that this young man would take the lead at once." "I think that I can secure the government printing of Delaware for him," interrupted Colonel French, of Newcastle, who had listened to the conversation with the deepest interest. "Captain Homes, I will see your brother-in-law as soon as I return to Philadelphia," added Governor Keith. "We must not let such a young man be buried up in a one-horse printing house." "I am going to Philadelphia with the governor," interjected Colonel French, "and I will accompany him to see the young man."