THE home in which Benjamin Franklin spent his first eleven or twelve years was one in which both parents required prompt, cheerful obedience from all the children, and there is no room for doubt that the habit of obedience thus early formed had much to do with the formation of his character.
When he found that his father had really decided that he should leave school and help him in the business, he did not murmur or rebel, but, much as he disliked the prospect, he wisely made up his mind to make the best of it, to do all he could to help his father, and still to hope that something he liked might be in store for him.
He had, as his father said he would, a good deal of outdoor work in the way of going errands, and to that part of the business he had no objection.
Perhaps the smell of melted tallow and soap boiling did not agree with him, or it may have been that day by day his dislike to the work increased, but whichever way it was, when he had only been at it a few months, he drooped, grew pale and thin, and seemed altogether different from the bright, happy boy he had been. His parents noticed the change and were sorry, but as at the time they did not see any suitable opening for him, decided to say nothing to him on the subject.
It was about this time that thoughtlessness and a boyish love of fun led into wrong-doing. When he had a little free time he was in the habit of joining his old schoolfellows and boy friends on a marsh that was always flooded at high water, where they amused themselves by catching minnows. They had a small boat, and from quite a small boy Ben was good at swimming and rowing.
“Who's for a sail," said Ben, as he leaped into the boat. "I," and "I," and "I," answered several voices, as they jumped in after him. "Now we'll make oars fly," said their leader. The boys enjoyed their sail, but Benjamin had a new idea. "What a mess the marsh is in with mud," he said. "If we could build a wharf or landing, what a good thing it would be for fishing, and good for the boat too.”
“We couldn't carry all the stones we should want," said one boy.
“We need not carry them far," said Benjamin. "Look, here's a fine heap of stones only a few feet from the edge of the marsh.”
“How did they get there?" asked Fred.
“Why, the workmen brought them in a cart; they are building a house near the marsh.”
“They won't thank us for stealing their stones," said John Collins.
“We won't wait for their thanks," said Benjamin. "We are not going to steal the stones, only to borrow them; they will be as good for their building when we have done with them. Let as many of us as can, come this evening, and set to work with a will. Who'll help?" Several boys agreed to do so. Perhaps they had not the courage to say NO to what they must have known was not right.
“Some of the stones are so large I don't think two of us could carry one," said a boy more cautious than his companions.
“What two of us can't carry, I expect three of us could," was Benjamin's reply.
The boys met in the evening and worked with a will. In about two hours a small wharf was built, with which all the young workmen were much pleased.
“It's worth all it cost," said one boy.
“Wait a bit," said another, "it may cost more than we think.”
“It is late," said Ben, "and I must hurry home, or I shall get into trouble.”
He made haste home, and was soon in bed and asleep. In the morning he did not feel quite happy as he thought of how they had been employed the previous evening; he hoped his father had not heard of it. Nothing was said during the day, and he began to breathe more freely. But in the evening his father asked, "Where were you last evening, Benjamin.”
“Down at the marsh with the other boys.”
“What were you doing there?”
“Building a wharf.”
“What were you building with?”
“Stones.”
“Did the stones belong to you?"
"No.”
“Then you stole them.”
“Oh, no, we only borrowed them.”
“You stole them. To take anything that does not belong to you is as much stealing as if you stole money. The owner of the stones has been to see me to-day, and is very angry about your thoughtless act. I have encouraged your going out in the evenings, as I did not think it was good for you to spend all your free time reading, but you have betrayed my confidence, and from this time I forbid it. You will spend your evenings at home.”
“God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."(Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7).) The solemn words of scripture are as true for the boys and girls as for the grown-up people. Our words and deeds are like tiny seeds that will one day bear fruit. It is well to stop and ask," What will the harvest be?”