e Restoration. I used to write political proverbs in my pamphlets in
that way.

"I want you," he continued, "to honor that handwriting, and do your
master credit. The master has tried to do well by you. I hope that
handwriting may be used for the benefit of others; live for influences,
not for wealth or fame. My life will not fail if I can live in you and
Samuel here. Remember that everything that you do for others will send
you up the ladder of life, and I will go with you, even if the daisies
do then blow over me.

"Ben, you and Samuel should be friends, and, if you should do well in
life, and he should do the same--which Heaven grant that he may!--I want
you sometimes to meet by the gate post and think of me.

"If you are ever tempted to step downward, think of me, Ben; think of
me, Samuel. Meet sometimes at the gate post, and remember all these
things. You will be older some day, and I will be gone."

The old man held up the copy book again.

"'Fit to set before kings,'" he repeated. "That was a great compliment."

Little Jane, the baby, seeing the people all pleased, held out her hands
to Ben.

"Jenny shall see it," said Ben. He took the copy book and held it up
before her eyes. She laughed with the rest.

That signature was to remap the world. It was to be set to four
documents that changed the history of mankind. Reader, would you like to
see how a copy of it looked? We may fancy that the curious flourish
first saw the light in Mr. Brownell's school.

[Illustration: Handwritten:

Philad Oct 9 1755
Your most hum Serv^t
B Franklin]

CHAPTER IX.

UNCLE BENJAMIN'S SECRET.

LITTLE Ben was fond of making toy boats and ships and sailing them. He
sometimes took them to the pond on the Common, and sometimes to wharves
at low tide.

One day, as he was going out of the door of the sign of the Blue Ball,
boat in hand, Uncle Benjamin followed him.

The old man with white hair watched the boy fondly day by day, and he
found in him many new things that made him proud to have him bear his
name.

"Ben," he called after him, "may I go too?"

"Yes, yes, Uncle Benjamin. I am going down beside Long Wharf. Let us
take Baby Jane, and I will leave the boat behind. The baby likes to go
out with us."

The old man's heart was glad to feel the heart that was in the voice.

Little Ben took Baby Jane from his mother's arms, and they went toward
the sea, where were small crafts,