Chapter 3: Arrival in Philadelphia
Finally Franklin arrives in Philadelphia. He is hungry and dirty and purchases three pennies’ worth of bread; he is surprised that he gets three large puffy rolls. As he walks he passes the home of his future wife, Miss Read. He gives two of the rolls away and wanders into a Quaker meetinghouse. He falls asleep.
Franklin proceeds to Bradford’s, the printer of whom he heard, but the old father of that man says his son does not need help and directs him to Keimer, another printer in town. Old Bradford takes him there and introduces him, proceeding to ply Keimer with wily questions under the guise of a customer. Franklin is startled and impressed.
As time passes, Franklin observes that both printers–Keimer, with whom he works, and Bradford, with whom he lodges–are not very qualified. Keimer is also annoyed that Franklin stays with Bradford, and gets him a place at Mr. Read’s house.
Franklin is frugal and industrious and lives well. His brother-in-law Robert Homes writes him a letter telling him his family is upset at his abrupt departure, to which Franklin responds. Sir William Keith, the governor of the province, is with Homes when he reads Franklin’s response and marvels at the young man’s expressiveness. He says he will support Franklin in starting his own printing business.
