Benjamin hurried away with his mind completely absorbed upon the subjects he should take up. The result was a series of amusing articles, in which he burlesqued Keimer's proposals, and ridiculed his editorials, which really deserved nothing better. He continued to write in this way several months, signing all his articles "_Busy Body_." The public were greatly interested in the communications, because of their real merit. They were bright, even sparkling, full of humor, logical to sharpness, and charged with ability. They drew public attention to Bradford's paper, and public ridicule to Keimer's; so that the subscription list of the former increased, while that of the latter never had over ninety subscribers. People on every hand inquired, "Who is _Busy Body_?" And, finally, the public learned that it was "that young Franklin, the printer." Keimer learned who his critic was; and, after the lapse of six or eight months from the time the first number was issued, who should appear before Benjamin at his office but him, saying: "I understand that you think of starting a weekly newspaper; and I have come to sell you mine." "How is that? Can't you make it go?" Benjamin replied in a familiar way. "No, not as I want to. I don't think I am exactly qualified to run a newspaper." "How many subscribers have you?" "Ninety." "Only ninety?" exclaimed Benjamin. "That number will be of no aid in starting a paper; might as well start new; new paper, new title, new editor, new every thing." The conclusion of the interview was, however, that Benjamin purchased the paper, took possession immediately, advertised his literary enterprise, and "it proved," as he said, "in a few years extremely profitable to me." His economy was equal to his industry. He arrayed himself in the plainest manner, although he aimed to look neat and tidy. His board was simple and cheap, and every thing about his business was conducted on the most economical principles. He wheeled home the paper which he bought, boarded himself some of the time, sleeping in the office, and never stopped to consider whether it was compromising the dignity of a printer to do such things. Keimer left no stone unturned to secure business and cripple Franklin and Meredith. He was never half so active and enterprising as he became after these two young men set up for themselves. One day Keimer was in Benjamin's printing office to transact some business, when the latter said to him: "Look here, Keimer; come with me into the back room." "What you got there?" Keimer answered, following. "See that!" Benjamin said, pointing to a half-devoured loaf and pitcher of water, that he had just made a meal off. "What of that?" said Keimer, not comprehending the drift of Benjamin's remark. "Unless you can live cheaper than I can, it is no use for you to attempt to run me out of business." Both laughed, and Keimer departed.