of seventeen met together in the eager embrace of parental affection and filial gratitude: "_God bless my son!_" the sobbing sire he sigh'd. "_God bless my sire!_" that pious son replied. Soon as the happy father could recover his articulation, with great tenderness he said, "but how, my beloved boy could you give me the pain to leave me as you did?" "Why you know, my dear father," replied Ben, "that I could not live with my brother; nor would he let me live with the other printers; and as I could not bear the thought of living on an aged father now that I was able to work for myself, I determined to leave Boston and seek my fortune abroad. And knowing that if I but hinted my intentions you would prevent me, I thought I would leave you as I did." "But why, my son, did you keep me so long unhappy about your fate, and not write to me sooner?" "I knew, father, what a deep interest you took in my welfare, and therefore I resolved never to write to you until by my own industry and economy I had got myself into such a state, that I could write to you with pleasure. This state I did not attain till lately. And just as I was a going to write to you, a strange affair took place that decided me to come and see you, rather than write to you." "Strange affair! what can that mean, my son?" "Why, sir, the governor of Pennsylvania, sir William Keith--I dare say, father, you have often heard of governor Keith?" "I may have heard of him, child--I'm not positive--but what of governor Keith?" "Why he has taken a wonderful liking to me, father!" "Aye! has he so?" said the old man, with joy sparkling in his eyes. "Well I pray God you may be grateful for such favours, my son, and make a good use of them!" "Yes, father, he has taken a great liking to me sure enough; he says I am the only one in Philadelphia who knows any thing about printing; and he says too, that if I will only come and set up in Philadelphia, he will make my fortune for me in a trice!!" Old Josias here shook his head; "No, no, Ben!" said he, "that will never do: that will never do: you are too young yet, child, for all that, a great deal too young." "So I told him, father, that I was too young. And I told him too that I was certain you would never give your consent to it." "You were right there, Ben; no indeed, I could never give my consent to it, that's certain." "So I told the governor, father; but still he would have it there was a fine opening in Philadelphia, and that I would fill it so exactly, that nothing could be wanting to insure your approbation but a clear understanding of it. And to that end he has written you a letter." "A letter, child! a letter from governor Keith to me!" "Yes, father, here it is."