The case of William Hutton, who was the son of very poor parents, is not altogether unlike that of Benjamin Franklin. He was bound to his uncle for a series of years, but was treated by him so harshly that he ran away, at seventeen years of age. The record is, that "on the 12th day of July, 1741, the ill-treatment he received from his uncle, in the shape of a brutal flogging, with a birch-broom handle of white hazel, which almost killed him, caused him to run away." A dark prospect was before him, since "he had only twopence in his pocket, a spacious world before him, and no plan of operation." Yet he afterwards became an author of some celebrity, and a most exemplary and esteemed man. He lived to the age of ninety, his last days being gladdened by the reflection of having lived a useful life, and the consciousness of sharing the confidence of his fellow-men. CHAPTER XVI. ANOTHER TRIP AND ITS TRIALS. On arriving at New York, Benjamin applied to a well known printer, Mr. William Bradford, for work. "Where are you from?" he inquired. "From Boston," was Benjamin's reply. "Used to the printing business?" "Yes, that is my trade. I have worked at it several years." "I am sorry I cannot employ you. Just now my business is small, and I have all the help I need." "What do you think of the prospect of getting work at some other office in the town?" inquired Benjamin. "Not very flattering, I am sorry to say. Dull times, my son, very dull indeed. But I can tell you where you can find employment, I think. My son carries on the printing business in Philadelphia, and one of his men died the other day. I think he would be glad to employ you." "How far is it to Philadelphia?" "It is a hundred miles," replied Mr. Bradford, "a much shorter distance than you have already travelled." [Illustration: Franklin saving the Dutchman.--See page 149.] Benjamin looked somewhat disappointed when he found that Philadelphia was a hundred miles farther; still, he was after work, and he was determined to find it; so he made inquiries about the mode of conveyance, and left Mr. Bradford, thanking him for his kindness. Immediately he engaged a passage in a boat to Amboy, and made arrangements for his chest to be carried round by sea. He was less disheartened, probably, on account of the assurance of Mr. Bradford that his son would employ him. If he could procure work by travelling a hundred miles more, he would cheerfully do it, although a journey of a hundred miles then was about equal to one thousand now.