ce to benevolence, faith to faith.

One day, when he was very poor, there came into his printing office a
bustling man.

"See here, my boy, I have a piece for you; there's ginger in it, and it
will make a stir. You will get well paid for giving it to the public;
all Philadelphia will read it."

"I am glad to get something to give the paper life," said Franklin. "I
will read the article as soon as I have time to spare."

"I will call to-morrow," said the man. "It is running water that makes
things grow. That article will prove very interesting reading to many
people, and it will do them good. It is a needed rebuke. You'll say so
when you read it."

Franklin at this time did a great part of the work in the office
himself, and he was very busy that day. At last he found time to take up
the article. He hoped to find it one that would add to the circulation
of the paper. He found that it was written in a revengeful spirit, that
it was full of detraction and ridicule, that it would answer no good
purpose, that it would awaken animosities and engender bitter feelings
and strife. But if used it would be read, laughed at, increase the sale
of the paper, and secure him the reputation of publishing a _smart_
paper.

Should he publish an article whose influence would be harmful to the
public for the sake of money and notoriety?

He here began in himself as an editor that process of moral education
which tends to make fixed habits of thought, judgment, and life. He
resolved _not_ to print the article.

But the author of it would laugh at him--might call him puritanic; would
probably say that he did not know when he was "well off"; that he stood
in his own light; that he had not the courage to rebuke private evils.

The young printer had the courage to rebuke wrong, but this article was
a sting--a revengeful attempt to make one a laughing stock. It had no
good motive. But it haunted him. He turned the question of his duty over
and over in his mind.

Night came, and he had not the money to purchase a supper or to secure a
bed. Should he not print the lively article, and make for himself better
fare on the morrow?

No. Manhood is more than money, worth more than wealth. He went to the
baker's and bought a twopenny roll; he ate it in his office, and then
lay down on the floor of his office and went to sleep.

The boy's sleep was sweet. He had decided the matter in his own heart,
and had given himself a first lesson in wha