"I am satisfied with it," replied Ralph; "and more, too,--I rather like it."
Thus it was agreed that each one should write a poetical paraphrase of the eighteenth Psalm for their next meeting, and with this understanding they separated.
Just before the time of their next meeting, Ralph called upon Benjamin with his piece, and asked him to examine it.
"I have been so busy," said Benjamin, "that I have not been able to write anything, and I shall be obliged to appear unprepared. But I should like to read yours;" and he proceeded to examine it.
"That is excellent," said he, after reading it. "You have not written anything that is equal to this."
"But," said Ralph, "Osborne never will allow the least merit in anything of mine, but makes a thousand criticisms, out of mere envy.
He will do so with that piece, I have no doubt."
"If he does, it will prove that he is prejudiced against you, or is no judge of poetry," replied Benjamin.
"I have a plan to test him," continued Ralph. "He is not so jealous of you; I wish, therefore, you would take this piece and produce it as yours. I will make some excuse and have nothing. We shall then hear what he will say to it."
"I will do it," answered Benjamin, who was well convinced that Osborne was prejudiced against Ralph; "but I must transcribe it, so that it will appear in my own handwriting."
"Certainly; and be careful that you don"t let the secret out."
They met at the appointed time. Watson was the first to read his performance. Osborne came next, and his piece was much better than Watson"s. Ralph noticed two or three blemishes, but pointed out many beauties in it.
"I have nothing to read," said Ralph, whose turn came next in order.
"I will try to do my part next time."
"Poets ought to be ready at any time," remarked Osborne jestingly.
"Well, then, Ben, let us have yours."
"I rather think I must be excused," answered Benjamin, feigning an unwillingness to read.
"No excuse for you," said Osborne. "You have it written, for I saw it in your hand."
"That is true," replied Benjamin; "but after such fine productions as we have heard, there is little encouragement for me to read this. I think I must correct it and dress it up a little before I read it."
"Not a word of it," said Ralph. "There is no excuse for any one who is prepared."
So, after much urging, Benjamin proceeded to read the verses, with seeming diffidence, all listening with rapt attention.
"You must read that again," said Osborne, when the first reading was finished; which Benjamin consented to do.
"You surprise me, Ben," said Osborne, after the piece was read the second time. "You are a genuine poet. I had no idea that you could write like that."
"Nor I," added Watson. "It is better than half the poetry that is printed. If we had not given out the subject, I should have charged you with stealing it."
"What do _you_ say, Ralph?" inquired Osborne. "You are a poet, and ought to be a judge of such matters."
"I don"t think it is entirely faultless," responded Ralph. "You have commended it full as highly as it will bear, in my estimation."
"Well done!" exclaimed Osborne. "Your opinion of that piece proves that you are dest.i.tute of poetical taste, as I have told you before."
Ralph and Benjamin saw that Osborne was fairly caught, and they hardly dared to exchange glances, lest they should betray themselves. They succeeded, however, in controlling themselves, and allowed Osborne to express himself most emphatically.
Ralph walked home with Osborne, and their conversation was upon Benjamin"s poetry.
"Who would have imagined," said Osborne, "that Franklin was capable of such a performance,--such painting, such force, such fire! In common conversation he seems to have no choice of words; he hesitates and blunders; and yet, how he writes!"
"Possibly he may not have written it," suggested Ralph.
"That is the "unkindest cut of all,"" retorted Osborne, "to charge him of plagiarism. Franklin would not descend to so mean a thing."
They parted for that night; but Ralph embraced the first opportunity to call on Benjamin, and have a sort of rejoicing over the success of their enterprise. They laughed to their hearts" content, and discussed the point of revealing the secret. They agreed that the real author of the article should be known at their next meeting.
Accordingly, the affair was so managed as to bring the facts of the case before their companions at their next gathering. Osborne was utterly confounded when the revelation was made, and knew not what to say for himself. Watson shook his whole frame with convulsive laughter at poor Osborne"s expense, and Benjamin joined him with a keen relish.
Never was a fellow in more mortifying predicament than this would-be critic, since it was now so manifest that he had been influenced by blind prejudice in his criticisms upon Ralph"s poetry. It was certain now that he had given it his most emphatic indors.e.m.e.nt. While Osborne was brought to confusion and suffered deservedly, the trick played upon him is not one which can be approved by right-thinking persons.
Deceit is never commendable.
A few years after, Watson died in Benjamin"s arms, much lamented by all his companions, who regarded him as "the best of their set."
Osborne removed to the West Indies, where he became an eminent lawyer, but was early cut off by death. Of the others we shall have occasion to speak hereafter.
It is quite evident that this literary way of spending their leisure time was of great advantage to this group of youths. Doubtless it led to the cultivation of that taste which most of them who lived exhibited for literature and science in after life. It is certainly an example of the wise use of spare moments which the young may safely imitate.
CHAPTER XXI.
GOING TO ENGLAND.
At the earliest opportunity, Benjamin presented the Governor with an inventory of the articles necessary in setting up the printing business.
"And what will be the probable expense of all these?" inquired the Governor.
"About one hundred pounds sterling, as nearly as I can estimate," he replied.
"But would it not prove an advantage for you to be there yourself, to select the types, and see that everything is good?"
"I suppose it would, though such a thing as going to England is scarcely possible with me."
"That remains to be seen," continued Governor Keith. "Another advantage of your being there is, that you could form acquaintances, and establish correspondence in the bookselling and stationery line."
"That would certainly be an advantage," replied Benjamin.
"Then get yourself ready to go in the Annis," said the Governor. The Annis was the annual ship that sailed between Philadelphia and London, and the only one, at that time, which performed this voyage.
Instead of there being scores of vessels sailing between these two ports, as now, there was only this solitary one, going and returning once a year.
"It is not necessary to prepare immediately," answered Benjamin, "since it is several months before the Annis will sail."