In a few weeks he was ready to return to Philadelphia. This time he did
not have to run away from home.

His father blessed him, and his mother gave him many small gifts as
tokens of her love.

"Be diligent," said his father, "attend well to your business, and save
your money carefully, and, perhaps, by the time you are twenty-one years
old, you will be able to set up for yourself without the governor's
help."

All the family, except James the printer, bade him a kind good-bye, as
he went on board the little ship that was to take him as far as New
York.

There was another surprise for him when he reached New York.

The governor of New York had heard that there was a young man from
Boston on board the ship, and that he had a great many books.

There were no large libraries in New York at that time. There were no
bookstores, and but few people who cared for books.

So the governor sent for Franklin to come and see him. He showed him his
own library, and they had a long talk about books and authors.

This was the second governor that had taken notice of Benjamin. For a
poor boy, like him, it was a great honor, and very pleasing.

When he arrived in Philadelphia he gave to Governor Keith the letter