casion, twenty-one
lashings at the public whipping-post of Philadelphia."

CHAPTER V.

_The Dawn of Prosperity._

Franklin takes a house--His first job--His industry--Plans a
Newspaper--Enters the list as a writer--Advocates a Paper
currency--Purchases Keimer's paper--Character of
Meredith--Struggles of the firm--Unexpected
assistance--Dissolves partnership with Meredith--Franklin's
energetic conduct--His courtship, and marriage--Character of
Mrs. Franklin--Increase of luxury--Plans for a
library--Prosperity of Pennsylvania--Customs in
Philadelphia--Style of dress in 1726--Franklin's social
position in Philadelphia--His success--A hard student.

Franklin had now reached the end of life as an apprentice and a
journeyman. With his friend Meredith he hired a house in the lower
part of Market street, at the rent of about one hundred and twenty
dollars a year. A large portion of this house he prudently re-let to
another mechanic who was a member of the Junto. It would seem that
Meredith was disappointed in the amount of money he expected to raise.
Consequently after utterly exhausting their stock of cash, they still
found it necessary to run deeply into debt for those appurtenances of
a printing office which were absolutely necessary.

Just as they got ready for work, quite to their delight, a countryman
came in introduced by one of the Junto, George House, who wanted a
five shilling job executed.

"This man's five shillings," writes Franklin, "being our first fruits,
and coming so seasonably, gave me more pleasure than any crown I have
since earned. And from the gratitude I felt toward House, has made me
often more ready, than perhaps I otherwise should have been, to assist
young beginners."

The two young men devoted themselves to their work, with assiduity
which was a sure precursor of success. Often Franklin was found
diligently employed until eleven o'clock at night. His industry and
energy soon attracted attention. A gentleman living near the office
said to some of his friends:

"The industry of that Franklin is superior to anything I ever saw of
the kind. I see him still at work when I go home from the club, and he
is at work again before his neighbors are out of bed."

This statement produced such an impression upon a merchant who was
present, that he called upon the young men and offered to supply them
with stationery on credit. Franklin's litera