I should return to Boston by the first vessel with the
letter of recommendation from the Governor to my father. Meanwhile the
project was to be kept secret, and I continued to work for Keimer as
before.

"The Governor sent every now and then to invite me to dine with him. I
considered this a very great honor, and I was the more sensible of it as
he conversed with me in the most affable, familiar, and friendly manner
imaginable.

"Toward the end of April, 1724, a small vessel was ready to sail for
Boston. I took leave of Keimer upon the pretext of going to see my
parents. The Governor gave me a long letter, in which he said many
flattering things of me to my father, and strongly recommended the
project of my settling at Philadelphia as a thing which could not fail
to make my fortune."

What is there prophetic of a great life in this homely narrative? Read
over again the incident of the three rolls, one of which he ate, and two
of which he gave to the poor woman and her child who needed them more
than he. All his money on that day was one silver dollar. In that
incident we see the heart and the persistent purpose to do good. He had
made mistakes, but the resolution that he had made on reading Cotton
Mather's meaty book was unshaken. He would correct his errors and yield
to his better nature, and this purpose to help others would grow, and so
he would overcome evil with good.

He who helps one helps two. The poor woman may never have been heard of
in public, except in this story, but that act of sharing the rolls, with
one for the little child, made Ben Franklin a larger man. "The purpose
of life is to grow."

Benjamin Franklin is now a seed in the wind, but he is a good seed in
the wind--good at heart, with a right purpose. The stream of life is
turned aside, but it will flow true again toward the great ocean of
that which is broadest and best.

For this little Jenny at home is hoping, and Abiah Franklin praying, and
Josiah Franklin keeping silence in regard to his family affairs.

These were hard days for Uncle Benjamin and his philosophy, and for
Jenny and her human faith.

CHAPTER XXI.

LONDON AND A LONG SWIM.

WHAT kind of a man was Governor Sir William Keith? There are not many
such, but one such may be found in almost every large community. He
desired popularity, and he loved to please every one. He was constantly
promising what he was not able to fulfill. He had a lively imagination,
and he li