Ben did not entirely lose his reward, several of his hearers affording him the unspeakable satisfaction of following his counsel. But the major part, "_poor devils_," as he emphatically styled them, "_went on to drink--thus continuing all their lives in a state of voluntary poverty and wretchedness!!_" Many of them, for lack of punctuality to pay the publican, would often have their porter stopped.--They would then apply to Ben to become security for them, _their light_, as they called it, _being out_. I never heard that he upbraided them with their folly; but readily gave his word to the publican, though it cost him the trouble of attending at the pay-table, every _Saturday night_, to take up the sums he had made himself accountable for. Thus, by virtue of the right education, _i.e._ a good trade, and early fondness for labour and books, did Ben rise, like a young swan of heaven, above the dark billows of adversity; and cover himself with glory in the eyes of these young Englishmen, who had at first been so prejudiced against him. And, better still, when night came, instead of sauntering with them to the filthy yet costly ale-houses and porter cellars, he hastened to his little chamber at his _frugal_ boarding-house, (only 1s. 6d. per week) there to enjoy the divine society of his books, which he obtained on _hire_ from a neighbouring book-store. And commanding, as he always did, through his steadiness and rapidity at work, all the _quick off-hand jobs_, generally the best paid, he might have made money and enjoyed great peace; but alas! there was a moth in his purse which kept him constantly poor; a canker in his peace which filled his life with vexation. That canker and that moth was his young friend Ralph, whom, as we have seen, he had made an infidel of in Philadelphia; and for which good office, Ralph, as we shall presently see, requited him as might have been expected. CHAPTER XXVII. "Who reasons wisely, is not therefore _wise_; His pride in reasoning, not in acting, lies." Some years ago a certain empiric whispered in the ear of a noble lord, in the British parliament, that he had made a wonderful discovery. "Aye," replied the nobleman, staring; "a wonderful discovery, say you!" "Yes, my lord, a wonderful discovery indeed! A discovery, my lord, beyond Gallileo, Friar Bacon, or even the great sir Isaac Newton himself." "The d----l! what, beyond sir Isaac?" "Yes, 'pon honour, my lord, beyond the great sir Isaac. 'Tis true his ATTRACTIONS and GRAVITATIONS and all that, are well enough; very clever things to be sure, my lord; but still nothing in comparison of this." "Zounds, man, what can it be?" "Why, my lord--please come a little this way--now, in confidence, my lord--I've been such a lucky dog as to discover the wondrous art of raising a breed of sheep _without wool_!"