purity of purpose stands unimpeached; his steadfast earnestness and
sterling honesty are our priceless examples.

We love the man.

We call him Father.




BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

I will speak ill of no man, not even in matter of truth; but
rather excuse the faults I hear charged upon others, and upon
proper occasion speak all the good I know of everybody.
--_Franklin's Journal_

[Illustration: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN]


Benjamin Franklin was twelve years old. He was large and strong and fat
and good-natured, and had a full-moon face and red cheeks that made him
look like a country bumpkin. He was born in Boston within twenty yards of
the church called "Old South," but the Franklins now lived at the corner
of Congress and Hanover Streets, where to this day there swings in the
breeze a gilded ball, and on it the legend, "Josiah Franklin,
Soap-Boiler."

Benjamin was the fifteenth child in the family; and several having grown
to maturity and flown, there were thirteen at the table when little Ben