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"I see that you have made considerable advance," replied Benjamin. "I am glad that you prosper." "And I shall be glad to employ you, as none of my men are complete masters of the business." "But I have relinquished my old trade," answered Benjamin. "Given up the printing business!" interrupted Keimer. "Why is that?" "I have made arrangements with Mr.
"I am not dependent on you for a living, and I shall not bear such treatment long, I assure you." "That, indeed!" replied Keimer, derisively. "You would not stay another day were it not for our agreement, in accordance with which I now warn you that, at the end of this quarter, I shall cease to employ you." "And I will notify you that I shall not work another minute for you.
"That is what you got for concealing your purpose," said Keimer. "I could have told you that Keith was wholly unreliable, and so could a good many other people. He has been turned out of office because of his rascality." "I am glad to hear that. I am a little curious to see how he will act, and hear what he will say, when I meet him." "He won't meet you if he can help it.
If you set up for yourself in Philadelphia, you will work him completely out of his business." Late in the spring of 1728 the printing outfit arrived from England. Benjamin and Meredith had settled with Keimer, who was unusually happy because his profits on his paper-money job in New Jersey had tided him over very discouraging embarrassments.
He was so much more intelligent than Keimer, that the latter was of little consequence, as very little notice was taken of him. One day Isaac Decon, the surveyor-general, said to him: "You are complete master of your business, and success is before you." "I have improved my opportunities," modestly answered Benjamin, "and done the best I could to learn my trade.
It was only a few days, however, before he received a very civil message from Keimer, in which he said, "that old friends should not part for a few words, the effect of sudden passion," and urged him to return.
"The man who owns this building lives a short distance away, and I am thinking I can get you boarded there; it will be a good place," added Mr. Keimer. "As you please; I can make myself at home any where. I am not used to much style and luxury." "His name is Read, and he has an interesting daughter of eighteen, which may be some attraction to you."
Poor Keimer suffered grievously, grew tired of the project in three months, longed for the fleshpots of Egypt, and ordered a roast pig. He invited Franklin and two women friends to dine with him; but the pig being brought too soon upon the table, he could not resist the temptation, and ate the whole before his guests came.
"I do deem it best; and I will give you a start in business. You can keep the matter a secret; continue at work for Keimer, and use your first leisure moments to make out an inventory of what a first-class printing establishment requires. That will be the first thing." "How soon will you want the inventory of articles?" "As soon as you can make it out.
His greater acquirements and ability, and superior knowledge of the craft, soon attracted attention. One day Sir William Keith, governor of the province, appeared at the printing-office, inquired for Franklin, and carried him off "to taste some excellent Madeira" with himself and Colonel French, while employer Keimer, bewildered at the compliment to his journeyman, "star'd like a pig poison'd."
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