The Life of Benjamin Franklin: With Many Choice Anecdotes and admirable sayings of this great man never before published by any of his biographersWeems, M. L. (Mason Locke)
Philosophy
The Life of Benjamin Franklin: With Many Choice Anecdotes and admirable sayings of this great man never before published by any of his biographers
Weems, M. L. (Mason Locke)
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790; Statesmen -- United States -- Biography
From his going off in such a pet, Ben had supposed at first, that
Collins would not return again. But having no money nor friends in
Philadelphia, the poor fellow came back at night, to his old roosting
place with Ben, by whom he was received with the same good humour as
if nothing had happened. But though the injured may forgive, the
injurer seldom does. Collins never looked straight at Ben after this.
The recollection of the past kept him sore. And to be dependent on one
whom, in the pride of former days, he had thought his inferior,
rendered his condition so uneasy, that he longed for an opportunity to
get out of it. Fortunately an opportunity soon offered. The captain of
a trader to the West Indies, falling in with him one day at a tavern,
where he was spouting away at a most elegant rate, was so charmed with
his vivacity and wit, which most young fools, half shaved, are apt to
figure in, that he offered him the place of a private tutor in a rich
family in Jamaica. Dame fortune, in her best humour, with all her
cogged dice in the bargain, could not, as Collins himself thought,
have thrown him a luckier hit. Young black eyed creoles, with fourth
proof spirit, in all its delicious modifications, of _slings, bumbo
and punch_, dancing before his delighted fancy, in such mazes of
pleasurable promise, that 'tis likely he would hardly have exchanged
places with the grand Turk. With a countenance glowing with joy, he
hastened to Ben to tell him the glorious news, and to take leave.
After heartily congratulating him on his good fortune, Ben asked, if
he would not want a little money to _fit him out_. Collins thanked
him, but said that the captain, who had engaged him, was such a
noble-hearted fellow, that he had, of his own accord, advanced him
_three half joes_ to put him into what he called "_complete sailing
trim_." Though Ben had of late been so scurvily treated by Collins, as
to think it very desirable to be quit of him; yet, when the time came,
he found it no such easy matter for the heart to dissolve the ties of
a long and once pleasant friendship. He had passed with Collins many
of his happiest hours, and these too, in the sweetest season of life,
and amidst pleasures which best lift the soul from earth, and spring
those unutterable hopes she delights in. How then, without tears,
could he for the last time, feel the strong pressure of his hand, and
catch the parting glance? On the other side, through watery eyes and
broken accents, poor Collins sobbed out his last adieu, not without
hearty thanks, for the many favors which Ben had done him, and solemn
promises of speedily _writing to him, and remitting all his money_.
Charity would fain believe, that he fully so intended; but alas! nor
money, nor friend did Ben ever hear of afterwards. This elegant victim
of rum, was no doubt presented by the captain to the wealthy family in
Jamaica. And being introduced, under the genial influence perhaps of a
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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