"A poor man lived there on the salt marsh with his family. He had had a hard time to raise enough for their support. A snowstorm came, and his fuel was spent, his hearth was cold, and there was nothing to burn. "The great house of the Governor rose over the ice-bordered marshes. Near it were long sheds, and under them high piles of wood brought from the hills. "The poor man had no wood, but after a little time smoke was seen coming out of his chimney. "There came one day a man to the Governor, and said: "'Pardon me, Governor, I am loath in my heart to accuse any one, but in the interest of justice I have something which I must tell you.' "'Speak on, neighbor.' "'Some one has been stealing your wood.' "'It is a hard winter for the poor. Who has done this?' "'The man who lives on the marsh.' "'His crop was not large this year.' "'No, it failed.' "'He has a wife and children.' "'True, Governor.' "'He has always borne a good reputation.' "'True, Governor, and that makes the case more difficult.' "'Neighbor, don't speak of this thing to others, but send that man to me.' "The man on the marsh came to the Governor's. His face was as white as snow. How he had suffered! "'Neighbor,' said the Governor, 'this is a cold winter.' "'It is, your Honor.' "'I hope that your family are comfortable.' "'No, your Honor; they have sometimes gone to bed supperless and cold.' "'It hurts my conscience to know that. Have you any fuel?' "'None, your Honor. My children have kept their bed for warmth.' "'But I have a good woodpile. See the shed: there is more wood there than I can burn. I ought not to sit down by a comfortable fire night after night, while my neighbor's family is cold.' "'I am glad that you are so well provided for, for you are a good man, and have a heart to feel for those in need.' "'Neighbor, there is my woodpile. It is yours as well as mine. I would not feel warm if I were to sit down by my fire and remember that you and your wife and your children were cold. When you need any fuel, come to my woodpile and take all the wood that you want.' "The man on the marsh went away, his head hanging down. I believe that there came into his heart the powerful resolution that he would never steal again, and we have no record that he ever did. The Governor's hope for him had made him another man. "He came for the wood in his necessity one day. The Governor looked at him pleasantly. "'Why did you not come to me before?'" Josiah Franklin looked around on the group at the fireside, and opened the family Bible. "Do you think that the Governor did right, Brother Ben?" "Well, it isn't altogether clear to me." "What do you think, Abiah?" "Father would have done as he did. He hindered no one, but helped every one. He saw life on that side." "Well, little Ben, what have you to say?"