ntice to learn a new trade.
Many of our Welsh people are going to settle in North Carolina where
land is cheap. I am inclined to go with them, and follow my old
employment. If you will take the debts of the company upon you, return
to my father the hundred pounds he has advanced, pay my little
personal debts, and give me thirty pounds and a new saddle, I will
relinquish the partnership, and leave the whole in your hands."

These were hard terms; but there was no other way in which Franklin
could escape from the embarrassments of this untoward partnership. He
accepted the proposal at once; borrowed the needful money of his
friends; and became his own sole partner.

True prosperity now began to attend his indomitable industry,
frugality, and wisdom. The advance of the young man was necessarily
slow, but it was sure. Well aware that his reputation with the
community would be invaluable to him, he not only endeavored to be
industrious, but to let it be seen by his neighbors that he left no
stone unturned to accomplish his purposes.

He would trundle, through the streets of Philadelphia, in a
wheel-barrow, the paper which he purchased, by no means seeking
by-streets where his more fashionable companions would not see him. He
dressed with the utmost simplicity, but always in clean garments, well
cut, and which presented his admirable form to great advantage. Never
did he allow himself to sink to the vulgarity of a slatternly
appearance. He was ever ready, when engaged in the most busy
employments of his office, to receive without a blush, any guests,
however high, who might chance to call.

The tranquil months glided on. Franklin was prospered in business,
paid his debts, and began to accumulate a little property. Our young
philosopher was never an impassioned lover. As he would contemplate,
in his increasing prosperity, removing to another more commodious
office, so he now thought, having reached the age of twenty-four, that
it might be expedient for him to have a home of his own, and a wife to
take care of his domestic affairs.

He had let a portion of the house which he used for his printing
office, to a mechanic of the Junto by the name of Godfrey. He
conferred with Mrs. Godfrey upon the subject. She had a relative, a
very pretty girl, Miss Godfrey, whom she highly recommended and
brought, as it were by accident, to take tea with Franklin. She was
graceful, amiable, and a child of parents well to do in the world.
F