the autobiography of ben franklin(本富兰克林自传)-第8章
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offended him extreamly； for； when my mother some time after spoke to
him of a reconciliation； and of her wishes to see us on good terms together；
and that we might live for the future as brothers； he said I had insulted him
in such a manner before his people that he could never forget or forgive it。
In this； however； he was mistaken。
My father received the governor's letter with some apparent surprise；
but said little of it to me for some days； when Capt。 Holmes returning he
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showed it to him； ask'd him if he knew Keith； and what kind of man he
was； adding his opinion that he must be of small discretion to think of
setting a boy up in business who wanted yet three years of being at man's
estate。 Holmes said what he could in favor of the project； but my father
was clear in the impropriety of it； and at last gave a flat denial to it。 Then
he wrote a civil letter to Sir William； thanking him for the patronage he
had so kindly offered me； but declining to assist me as yet in setting up； I
being； in his opinion； too young to be trusted with the management of a
business so important； and for which the preparation must be so
expensive。
My friend and companion Collins； who was a clerk in the post…office；
pleas'd with the account I gave him of my new country； determined to go
thither also； and； while I waited for my father's determination； he set out
before me by land to Rhode Island； leaving his books； which were a pretty
collection of mathematicks and natural philosophy； to come with mine and
me to New York； where he propos'd to wait for me。
My father； tho' he did not approve Sir William's proposition； was yet
pleas'd that I had been able to obtain so advantageous a character from a
person of such note where I had resided； and that I had been so industrious
and careful as to equip myself so handsomely in so short a time； therefore；
seeing no prospect of an accommodation between my brother and me； he
gave his consent to my returning again to Philadelphia； advis'd me to
behave respectfully to the people there； endeavor to obtain the general
esteem； and avoid lampooning and libeling； to which he thought I had too
much inclination； telling me； that by steady industry and a prudent
parsimony I might save enough by the time I was one…and…twenty to set
me up； and that； if I came near the matter； he would help me out with the
rest。 This was all I could obtain； except some small gifts as tokens of his
and my mother's love； when I embark'd again for New York； now with
their approbation and their blessing。
The sloop putting in at Newport； Rhode Island； I visited my brother
John； who had been married and settled there some years。 He received me
very affectionately； for he always lov'd me。 A friend of his； one Vernon；
having some money due to him in Pensilvania； about thirty…five pounds
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currency； desired I would receive it for him； and keep it till I had his
directions what to remit it in。 Accordingly； he gave me an order。 This
afterwards occasion'd me a good deal of uneasiness。
At Newport we took in a number of passengers for New York； among
which were two young women； companions； and a grave； sensible；
matron…like Quaker woman； with her attendants。 I had shown an obliging
readiness to do her some little services； which impress'd her I suppose
with a degree of good will toward me； therefore； when she saw a daily
growing familiarity between me and the two young women； which they
appear'd to encourage； she took me aside； and said： 〃Young man； I am
concern'd for thee； as thou has no friend with thee； and seems not to know
much of the world； or of the snares youth is expos'd to； depend upon it；
those are very bad women； I can see it in all their actions； and if thee art
not upon thy guard； they will draw thee into some danger； they are
strangers to thee； and I advise thee； in a friendly concern for thy welfare；
to have no acquaintance with them。〃 As I seem'd at first not to think so ill
of them as she did； she mentioned some things she had observ'd and heard
that had escap'd my notice； but now convinc'd me she was right。 I thank'd
her for her kind advice； and promis'd to follow it。 When we arriv'd at New
York； they told me where they liv'd； and invited me to come and see them；
but I avoided it； and it was well I did； for the next day the captain miss'd a
silver spoon and some other things； that had been taken out of his cabbin；
and； knowing that these were a couple of strumpets； he got a warrant to
search their lodgings； found the stolen goods； and had the thieves punish'd。
So； tho' we had escap'd a sunken rock； which we scrap'd upon in the
passage； I thought this escape of rather more importance to me。
At New York I found my friend Collins； who had arriv'd there some
time before me。 We had been intimate from children； and had read the
same books together； but he had the advantage of more time for reading
and studying； and a wonderful genius for mathematical learning； in which
he far outstript me。 While I liv'd in Boston most of my hours of leisure for
conversation were spent with him； and he continu'd a sober as well as an
industrious lad； was much respected for his learning by several of the
clergy and other gentlemen； and seemed to promise making a good figure
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in life。 But； during my absence； he had acquir'd a habit of sotting with
brandy； and I found by his own account； and what I heard from others； that
he had been drunk every day since his arrival at New York； and behav'd
very oddly。 He had gam'd； too； and lost his money； so that I was oblig'd to
discharge his lodgings； and defray his expenses to and at Philadelphia；
which prov'd extremely inconvenient to me。
The then governor of New York； Burnet （son of Bishop Burnet）；
hearing from the captain that a young man； one of his passengers； had a
great many books； desir'd he would bring me to see him。 I waited upon
him accordingly； and should have taken Collins with me but that he was
not sober。 The gov'r。 treated me with great civility； show'd me his library；
which was a very large one； and we had a good deal of conversation about
books and authors。 This was the second governor who had done me the
honor to take notice of me； which； to a poor boy like me； was very
pleasing。
We proceeded to Philadelphia。 I received on the way Vernon's money；
without which we could hardly have finish'd our journey。 Collins wished
to be employ'd in some counting…house； but； whether they discover'd his
dramming by his breath； or by his behaviour； tho' he had some
recommendations； he met with no success in any application； and
continu'd lodging and boarding at the same house with me； and at my
expense。 Knowing I had that money of Vernon's； he was continually
borrowing of me； still promising repayment as soon as he should be in
business。 At length he had got so much of it that I was distress'd to think
what I should do in case of being call'd on to remit it。
His drinking continu'd； about which we sometimes quarrell'd；； for；
when a little intoxicated； he was very fractious。 Once； in a boat on the
Delaware with some other young men； he refused to row in his turn。 〃I
will be row'd home；〃 says he。 〃We will not row you；〃 says I。 〃You must； or
stay all night on the water；〃 says he； 〃just as you please。〃 The others said；
〃Let us row； what signifies it？〃 But； my mind being soured with his other
conduct； I continu'd to refuse。 So he swore he would make me row； or
throw me overboard； and coming along； stepping on the thwarts； toward
me； when he came up and struck at me； I clapped my hand under his
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crutch； and； rising； pitched him head…foremost into the river。 I knew he
was a good swimmer； and so was under little concern about him； but
before he could get round to lay hold of the boat； we had with a few
strokes pull'd her out of his reach； and ever when he drew near the boat；
we ask'd if he would row； striking a few strokes to slide her away from
him。 He was ready to die with vexation； and obstinately would not
promise to row。 However； seeing him at last beginning to tire； we lifted
him in and brought him home dripping wet in the evening。 We hardly
exchang'd a civil word afterwards； and a West India captain； who had a
commission to procure a tutor for the sons of a gentleman at Barbadoes；
happening to meet with him； agreed to carry him thither。 He left me then；
promising to remit me the first money he should receive in order to
discharge the debt； but I never heard of him after。
The breaking into this money of Vernon's was one of the first great
errata of my life； and this affair show'd that my father was not much out in
his judgment when he suppos'd me too young to manage business of
importance。 But Sir William； on reading his letter； said he was too prudent。
There was great difference in persons； and discretion did not always
accompany years； nor was youth always without it。 〃And since he will not
set you up；〃 says he； 〃I will do it myself。 Give me an inventory of the
things necessary to be had from England； and I will send for them。 You
shall repay me when you are able； I am resolv'd to hav
