m was a schoolroom. His studies in middle life bore fruit
after he was threescore and ten years of age. They helped to make his
paper powerful.

Franklin's success greatly troubled poor old Mr. Calamity. After the
printer made the great discovery that electricity was lightning, the old
man opposed the use of lightning-rods.

"What will that man Franklin do next?" he said. "He would oppose the
Lord of the heavens from thundering and lightning--he would defy
Providence and Omnipotent Power. Why, the next thing he may deny the
authority of King George himself, who is divinely appointed. He is a
dangerous man, the most dangerous man in all the colony."

Old Mr. Calamity warned the people against the innovations of this
dangerous man.

One day, as he was resting under the great trees on the Schuylkill,
there was brought to him grievous news. A clerk in the Pennsylvania
Assembly came up to him and asked:

"Do you know what has been done? The Assembly has appointed Franklin as
agent to London; he is to go as the agent of all the colonies."

"Sho! What do the colonies want of an agent in London? Don't the king
know how to govern his colonies? And if we need an agent abroad, why
should we send a printer and a lightning-rod man? Clerk, sit down! That
man Franklin is a dangerous leader. 'An agent of the colonies in
London!' Why, I have seen him carrying printing paper in a wheelbarrow.
A curious man that to send to the court of England's sovereign, whose
arms are the lion and the unicorn."

"But there is a movement in England to tax the colonies."

"And why shouldn't there be? If the king thinks it is advisable to tax
the colonies for their own support, why should not his ministers be
instructed to do so? The king is a power divinely ordained; the king
can do no wrong. We ought to be willing to be taxed by such a virtuous
and gracious sovereign. Taxation is a blessing; it makes us realize our
privileges. Oh, that Franklin! that Franklin! there is something
peculiarsome about him; but the end of that man is to fall. First
carrying about printing paper in a wheelbarrow, then trifling with the
lightning in a thunderstorm, and now going to the court of England as a
representative of the colonies. The world never saw such an amazing
spectacle as that in all its history. Do you know what the king may yet
be compelled to do? He may yet have to punish his American colonies.
Clouds are gathering--I can see. Well, let Franklin go,