Before his brother James heard of his arrival, Benjamin hastened to the printing-office, and startled him by suddenly standing before him. James stopped his work, saluted him in rather a reserved manner, and, after surveying him from head to foot, turned to his work again. It was rather a cold reception on the whole, but not altogether unexpected to Benjamin. A brother who had driven him away by his harsh treatment could hardly be expected to welcome him back with a very warm heart. The journeymen were delighted to see him, and they were very inquisitive. "Where have you been, Ben?" asked one. "To Philadelphia," he answered. "What kind of a place is it?" "It is one of the finest places I ever saw. I like it better than Boston." "Going back?" inquired a second person. "Yes; and very soon, too," he replied. "That is the place for the printing business." "What kind of money do you have there?" inquired Another. There was no established currency in the country at that time, and his interrogator wanted to know what they used in Philadelphia. Instead of replying directly, Benjamin drew the silver from his pocket, and spread it out before them. It was quite a curiosity to them, as they used only paper money in Boston; and, besides, it caused them to think that their old associate had fallen upon lucky days. "You made a lucky hit, Ben, this time," said one. "Heavy stuff to carry about," suggested a second. "A man would want a wheelbarrow if he had much of it." "Perhaps you would accept of the wheelbarrow and silver together, rather than have neither," responded Benjamin. By this time Benjamin's watch was discovered, and there was a general desire to see it; so he laid it down before them, while his brother appeared "grum and sullen." "That is a convenient companion," said Benjamin, as he laid it down. "And you can afford to have such things," added one of the number, "because you save your money, and don't spend it for pleasure, drink, and luxuries." "Ben has fared so well," said one, "that it belongs to him to treat the company." As we have said before, the use of intoxicating drinks was general at that time, and when old friends met, it was common to signalize the occasion by the use of such beverage. Had Benjamin lived at this day, with his temperate habits, he would have refused to pander to their appetite for strong drink, and suggested some other kind of treat. But, living as he did when there were no temperance societies, and no alarm at the growing evils of intoxication, he accepted the proposal in his accustomed generous way. "There is a dollar," said he, throwing out a dollar in silver, "take that, and drink what you please for old acquaintance sake." Then, pocketing his watch and money, he took his leave. His brother was greatly incensed at this visit, and regarded it in the light of an insult. His mother endeavoured to bring him to terms of reconciliation with Benjamin, but in vain.