on
wheels, and against the most direful predictions of the foremost
engineers of his age, proved the practicability of harnessing steam to
coaches for rapid transportation.

On August 12th, 1848, Stephenson died, leaving an immense fortune, which
was the honest reward he deserved.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

Possibly there never has lived a man who has excited more comment than
has the subject of this narrative, who was born in Boston, January 17th,
1706. His father was a soap boiler and tallow chandler, and he was the
fifteenth in a family of seventeen children.

Young Benjamin was expected by his parents to become a minister of the
Gospel, and for this purpose was placed in school at the age of eight,
but the reduced circumstances of his father compelled his return home
two years later, and he began the work of cutting wicks in his father's
establishment. Afterwards he was bound to his brother James, who was a
printer, where he worked hard all day, and often spent half the night in
reading.

The secret of his great success can be readily perceived, when we know
that his favorite books were Mather's "Essays to Do Good," and DeFoe's
"Essays of Projects," and many others of a like nature: instead of the
modern "Three Fingered Jack," "Calamity Jane," "The Queen of the
Plains," or the more 'refined' of to-day's juvenile reading.

When he was about sixteen he wrote, in a disguised hand, an article for
his brother's paper. This article was published anonymously, and excited
great curiosity. Other articles followed, at length the identity of the
author was discovered, and for some unknown reason the elder brother was
offended. From that hour Benjamin resolved to leave Boston, as his
brother's influence was used to his disadvantage in that city.

Embarking, he worked his passage to New York, where he arrived at the
age of seventeen, almost penniless, and without recommendations. Failing
to obtain work here he continued on to Philadelphia, where he arrived,
disappointed but not discouraged. He now had but one dollar, and a few
copper coins, in the world. Being hungry, he bought some bread, and with
one roll under either arm, and eating the third, he passed up the street
on which his destined wife lived, and she beheld him as he presented
this ridiculous appearance. Obtaining employment, he secured board and
lodging with Mr. Reed, afterward his father-in-law.

Being induced to think of going into business for himself,