Ben and Me

Benjamin Franklin was one of the most

extraordinary men of the 18th century.

Philosopher, inventor and patriot,

he rose from obscurity

to become one of the greatest figures

in American history.

In our struggle for freedom, much credit

must be given to this illustrious...

Mouse. For it was Amos

who was really responsible

for the great deeds

attributed to Benjamin Franklin.

And here's the proof

in his own words.

I was born and raised

in Philadelphia,

in the old church

on Second Street.

Our home was in the vestry,

behind the paneling.

There were 26 children in the family,

and with that many mouths to feed,

we were naturally quite poor.

In fact, as poor as church mice.

And since I was the oldest,

I determined to set out into the world

and make my own way.

If I was successful,

I could help the others.

But, in any case,

there'd be one less mouse to feed.

It was the winter of 1745

and these were desperate times.

Jobs were scarce,

especially for a mouse,

for we were a downtrodden race.

Good morning, madam.

Could you use a handy mouse?

Mouse!

By nightfall

I was becoming desperate.

If I didn't find shelter soon,

I'd be done for.

My last hope was an old

run-down shop near the edge of town.

A sign over the door read:

"Benjamin Franklin,

printer and bookbinder. "

Perhaps I could find shelter here,

just for the night.

Upon entering a strange place, I always

took one good sniff as a precaution.

Hmm. Printers' ink.

Fresh paper. Old books.

And no cats.

And just about as cold

as it was outside.

The place was full

of strange contraptions,

tangles of wire...

... and a little round-faced man

trying to write by candlelight.

Good day, Mr. Franklin.

Could you use a...

Achoo!

Oh, dear, don't tell me.

My last pair.

Oh, what will I do?

Now I'll never get my paper out.

- I'm tired of his excuses.

- He better open up.

Sufferin' hot coals,

here they come again.

- Settle up. Open up.

- Open up. We know you're there.

- Pay the rent or get out.

- We want our money.

In 24 hours

I'm taking your press.

We're taking everything.

- It's your last chance, Franklin.

- Remember, 24 hours.

You can come out now, Mr. Franklin.

- They've gone.

- Twenty-four hours.

Oh, what's the use?

But you can't give up.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained,

Mr. Franklin.

My name's Ben.

Plain Ben.

Just what would you do, uh,

whatever your name is?

My name's Amos, one of the church mice

from over on Second Street.

The first thing I'd do

is figure a way to heat this place.

- All your heat's going up the chimney.

- What would you propose?

Put the fire in the middle

of the room.

Nonsense.

You want to burn the place down?

Make something

out of iron to put it in.

Say, that might be an idea.

Fixing Ben's glasses

was quite a problem.

He'd broken his outdoor pair,

as well as his reading glasses.

Well, there was

only one thing left.

Try to make one pair

out of the two.

Let me see now.

Do I put...?

Perhaps if I...?

Yes.

There we are.

Amos, Amos.

What will I do with the smoke?

Use a pipe. Run it

over to the chimney.

I must admit,

the stove wasn't much to look at.

- But at least...

- It works, Amos. It works!

Naturally.

Say, I wonder if we couldn't

make these things and sell 'em.

Call it the Franklin stove.

- Maybe someday...

- Yeah, maybe someday.

But right now, Ben,

would you mind trying these?

- We have work to do.

- Oh, mmm.

Well, well, well.

- Will they do?

- Will they!

Why, Amos, this is a great idea.

Two-way glasses.

By George.

Bifocals.

Say, Ben, this your paper?

That's it, Amos,

Poor Richard's Almanac.

"Sunrise 6:
22. Sunset 7:43.

High tide 4:
20.

A cat in gloves catches no mice."

Ha! Poor Richard's Almanac.

Poor, indeed.

But consider all the information...

Information!

Ben, when the sun's up, it's up.

Why read about it?

Oh, well,

what would you suggest?

First, I'd give it a new name.

Something snappy, like The Gazette.

- The Pennsylvania Gazette.

- Well...

- Sounds all right.

- Then tell 'em what's going on.

Give 'em some news, real news.

- Wake 'em up.

- Where will I get news at this hour?

I'll get it for you.

Hold everything, Ben, till I get back.

# Which nobody can deny #

The night watch. Disgraceful.

But what about the judge?

- A few pounds took care of him.

- Good.

Now to fill our pockets,

eh, Jonathan?

And due to our inadequate

fire department,

the building was a total loss.

Damage estimated at 490 pounds,

12 shillings, sixpence.

- Got that, Ben?

- Right, Amos.

Then let's go to press!

Lower case T.

Upper case S.

Upper case A.

Lower case T.

Upper case S.

Space, space.

Semicolon, another space.

Upper case R, lower case O.

Upper case C,

lower case T.

Space, space.

Upper E, lower R.

Ben!

Say, this fellow Franklin

comes right out with it, don't he?

- Sure does.

- Look at this.

- The baker's wife.

- Triplets.

Did you read this?

More taxes in '46.

I see there was a fire

on Chestnut Street.

- He's got everything in here.

- People.

- You seen Franklin's new paper?

- Yeah.

The Pennsylvania Gazette.

By evening, everyone

in Philadelphia was reading the Gazette.

Well, Amos, we're a success.

What a day.

- What a day!

- Yes, Ben.

What a day.

Now I can pay my bills

and you can have cheese.

Cheese.

Good night, Ben.

Good night, Amos.

Whenever Ben appeared

in public, he kept me under his hat.

There was a small door in the front

so I could step out on the brim.

Thus, I was able to observe and offer

advice without being seen by others.

I say, isn't that young Franklin?

Why, yes.

Good day, Ben.

Good day, Mr., uh...

Governor Keith

and Dr. Palmer.

Governor Keith, Dr. Palmer.

I read your new paper, my boy.

Congratulations.

First-rate.

Keep up the good work, Ben.

Thank you, Excellency.

I shall do my best.

Thank you, Your Excellency.

I shall do my best.

- Bright young chap.

- Yes, indeed. Very alert.

Seems to know what's going on.

Just think,

the governor spoke to you.

See, Ben? People are beginning

to sit up and take notice.

Yes.

Oh, we're really getting someplace.

Nothing can stop us now.

Uh-oh.

Post, Ben, post.

How do you do, Mr. Post?

Oh, my goodness.

What have I done?

Amos?

Amos!

- Ahem.

- Amos!

As the years passed,

Ben's reputation grew.

Letters poured in

from all over the colonies.

Requests for money,

for information on inventions,

advice in business

and even for advice to the lovelorn.

I spent all my spare time

answering them.

Meanwhile, Ben puttered around

with his experiments.

Ahhh!

Amos, you should have seen yourself.

That was the funniest...

Amos, where are you going?

- I'm leaving!

- Leaving?

Oh, Amos,

can't you take a little joke?

Joke! You call this a joke?

I didn't mean it. Please don't go.

I won't do it again.

Well, no more tricks, now.

- Promise?

- I promise.

It was shortly thereafter

that Ben took up kite flying.

To the framework of his largest kite

he fastened a small box.

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