To the Future Ben Franklin! Read online

  “But, sir, we’re not guests,” Annie said politely. “We’re delivering a midday meal to Doctor Ben. It’s from his daughter, Miss Sarah.”

  “All right, come in,” said the guard. He moved away from the door.

  “Thanks!” said Annie.

  She and Jack stepped into the building.

  “The doctor is in the Assembly Room,” the guard said, pointing down the hall. “Wait outside the room until they take a break.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Jack.

  Jack and Annie tiptoed down the dark, shadowy hallway.

  “Listen,” said Annie. Loud voices were coming from a room ahead. The door was half-open, so she and Jack peeked inside.

  “This must be the Assembly Room,” whispered Jack.

  The large room had high ceilings and two fireplaces. The tall windows were framed by heavy drapes.

  Men sat at tables with green tablecloths. They wore long jackets and shirts with white ruffled collars. They all had hair that came to their shoulders.

  At the front of the room, a white-haired man sat on a raised platform in a high-backed chair. He seemed to be in charge. Another man stood at a front table, hurriedly writing.

  Several men were talking:

  “Gentlemen, you are wrong!”

  “No! You want to give too much power to the national government.”

  “He is correct!”

  “But we have no Bill of Rights!”

  “Or freedom of speech!”

  “What about trial by jury?”

  The man in charge banged a gavel against his desk. “Order!” he said. “Raise your hands if you wish to speak.”

  “What’s going on?” Annie whispered to Jack.

  “I’m not sure,” Jack whispered back. “I’ll check our book.”

  He reached into his bag and pulled out their Pennsylvania book. He opened to the chapter about Old Philadelphia. He turned the page.

  “Whoa!” Jack whispered. He showed Annie a painting in the book. “Look—it’s the same!”

  Annie looked at the painting, then back at the men in the room.

  “It’s this meeting!” Annie whispered. “What’s going on?”

  They read silently:

  In 1787, after the Revolutionary War, America was made up of thirteen separate colonies. Each was like a different country. Would the colonies remain separate or become a nation of states? That summer, fifty-five delegates met in Philadelphia to answer this question. James Madison took daily notes on the meetings. In the end, he wrote America’s most important document.

  Oh, man! thought Jack. He understood everything now.

  “Annie—”

  “I get it!” she whispered. She repeated a line from Morgan’s message: “A paper must be signed.”

  “I know,” whispered Jack. “They’re creating the United States Constitution!”

  “The Constitution? That’s a big deal,” whispered Annie.

  “A huge deal!” whispered Jack. He and Annie read more:

  The document was the United States Constitution. It contained the basic laws that defined how the American government works. The Constitution created the presidency, the Supreme Court, and the Congress.

  James Madison’s work made him known as the Father of the Constitution. Besides Madison, some of the most famous delegates were General George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Dr. Benjamin Franklin.

  “Doctor Ben!” said Jack.

  “I think I see him!” whispered Annie.

  “Where?” said Jack.

  “There!” said Annie. “The old man in the glasses.”

  Annie pointed to an older man with wispy gray hair and glasses. He was wiping his face with a handkerchief.

  “Yes!” whispered Jack. “That’s Dr. Benjamin Franklin!”

  “Benjamin Franklin,” Annie whispered.

  “I can’t believe it,” said Jack.

  “I’ve seen him on posters at home,” said Annie, “for a show at the Little Theater—Ben Franklin in Paris.”

  “Right,” said Jack. The gardener was making sense after all, he thought. Jack knew that Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, an inventor, a diplomat, a writer, and almost everything else you could think of.

  “Where’s George Washington?” whispered Annie.

  “He must be in front,” said Jack. He pointed to the white-haired man in the high-backed chair on the platform.

  The general was much older than he was when they’d met him in 1776, but he still looked strong and powerful.

  “I wonder if he’ll remember us,” whispered Annie.

  “I hope he doesn’t,” said Jack. “He’s a lot older and we’re not. That would be hard to explain.”

  “That man writing must be James Madison,” said Annie. She pointed to the small thin man writing at the front table.

  George Washington banged his gavel again and rose from his chair.

  “We must stop now,” he said. “Let us put aside our differences and enjoy a meal together.”

  The delegates began rising from their chairs. Some were still grumbling and shaking their heads.

  George Washington walked over to Ben Franklin. Ben leaned on his walking stick as the two men spoke quietly.

  “Let’s go,” said Annie.

  “Wait,” said Jack. “We need to plan what to say to him!” But before he could stop her, Annie hurried across the room with Ben’s food basket.

  Oh, man, thought Jack, following her.

  Ben caught sight of them. “Hello, children,” he said with a friendly smile.

  George Washington looked startled when he saw Jack and Annie. “Have we met before?” he asked in his deep, calm voice.

  “Uh…actually…,” Annie started, but then stopped.

  Jack shook his head.

  “I know!” said George Washington. “You remind me of two children I met during the war. How strange…”

  “Really?” said Annie.

  “Yes, they were remarkable!” said George Washington. “But that was eleven years ago—they would be grown by now. I’ve thought of them often.” Jack glanced at Annie, trying to hide a smile.

  “What can we do for you, children?” Ben asked.

  “Sir, we brought your midday meal. It’s from your daughter, Sarah,” said Annie. She held out the basket of food.

  “Oh, well, thank you,” said Ben, chuckling. He set the basket down on the nearest table. “Celery and cabbage, no doubt. Sarah’s always trying to keep me healthy.”

  George Washington smiled. “Enjoy your meal, my friend,” he said to Ben. “If you’d prefer steak pie and beer, join us at the tavern.” With a nod to Jack and Annie, George Washington left them.

  “Tell me, how did you happen to deliver my meal today?” Ben asked Annie. His eyes were bright with curiosity. “I was expecting Louis.”

  “Um, Louis was supposed to bring it,” said Annie. “But he went swimming. So we told John we would do it.”

  “How kind of you,” said Ben. “And what are your names?”

  “Jack and Annie,” said Jack.

  “Well, thank you very much, Jack and Annie,” said Ben Franklin. “And good day to both of you.”

  As Ben started to walk away, Jack remembered Morgan’s message. “Sir,” he blurted out, “we’re from the press.”

  Ben whirled around. “The press? The Gazette?” he whispered.

  “Uh…yes?” Jack answered. What was the Gazette? he wondered.

  “No! No! Oh, dear, no!” whispered Ben. “The Gazette is sending children to report on us!” He looked around anxiously. “We must leave at once! Come quickly! Follow me!”

  Using his walking stick, Ben hobbled to the doorway of the Assembly Room.

  Jack was confused. What had they done?

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sp; “Sir—sir,” he said as they rushed down the hallway after Ben. “We’re actually—”

  “Quiet! Quiet! Not here! Not another word here! That way! Out the back!” said Ben. Using his cane, he hurried to the back of the state house.

  “This way! Come with me!” he said. He opened the door and stepped outside.

  Jack and Annie followed Ben Franklin into the burning summer heat.

  Benjamin Franklin leaned against the back door of the state house. His hand trembled as he pulled out his handkerchief.

  “Are you all right, sir?” Annie asked.

  “Fine…I’m fine,” said Ben, wiping his face. “But I cannot be seen with you. It would be a disaster. We must move away from here.”

  Jack and Annie started walking with Ben toward the front of the building.

  “But, sir, why would it be a disaster?” asked Annie.

  “All the delegates have sworn an oath of secrecy!” said Ben. “I’m sorry to say they’ve already caught me saying a few things outside of our meetings.”

  “An oath of secrecy?” said Jack.

  “Yes! We believe in freedom of the press,” said Ben. “But we need to make a plan first. Not a word of our plan should be printed in the Gazette—not until we agree on a plan…. Oh, dear…”

  “The Gazette?” said Jack.

  “Yes! The Pennsylvania Gazette. The very paper I once owned!” said Ben.

  “Oh…oh, wait,” said Annie. “We don’t work for the Pennsylvania Gazette.”

  “No?” said Ben. “But you said you were from the press.”

  “I know. But we were talking about the Frog Creek News,” Annie said. “It’s our own little paper. Mine and Jack’s. We’re the only ones who—who read it.”

  “She’s right,” Jack said. “It’s just a game we play. We pretend to be reporters from the Frog Creek News whenever we meet new people.”

  Ben Franklin stopped walking. He looked hard at Jack and Annie. His expression changed from worry to relief. Then he laughed. “I believe you!” he said. “My goodness, your little game nearly gave me a heart attack!”

  “I’m sorry,” said Annie.

  At least we got his attention, thought Jack.

  “So, where do you live?” Ben asked.

  “Frog Creek,” said Jack. “It’s miles away.”

  “We’re tourists,” said Annie. “Our parents want us to study history.”

  “Tourists? I’m afraid I do not know that word,” said Ben.

  “Oh. Well, you can also think of us as ‘visiting scholars,’ ” said Jack. Emperor Marcus Aurelius of Rome had called them “visiting scholars” on their last adventure. Jack liked the sound of that.

  Ben seemed to like it, too. His face brightened.

  “Ah! Visiting scholars! And so young! That’s delightful!” he said. “Come, let us walk, scholars! I’ll show you Philadelphia’s free library.”

  Ben started up Chestnut Street. He still used his walking stick. But now he had a little skip in his step.

  People waved cheerfully at Ben from wagons and carriages, and he waved back. He seemed to know everyone.

  “It’s important for visiting scholars to see the very first public library in the colonies,” Ben told Jack and Annie. “But I do apologize for the heat.”

  “Don’t worry. You didn’t cause it,” said Annie.

  Ben laughed. “I like your wit, my dear,” he said.

  “I like yours, too,” said Annie.

  Ben stopped and pointed his walking stick at a brick building with high, arched windows. “That’s it! Our library! I was the founder! Library members—and visiting scholars—can borrow books anytime.”

  “That’s great,” said Jack.

  “It looks a lot like our Frog Creek Public—” Annie began. But Jack stopped her with a quick shake of his head. He knew there were hardly any public libraries in 1787.

  “Hey, Lightning Rod Ben!” a boy shouted from a passing wagon. “Hot enough for you?”

  Ben waved at the boy.

  “Why did he call you that?” said Annie.

  “I invented lightning rods!” said Ben. “I’m surprised you didn’t know that. See, there’s one.” He pointed to a long metal rod that rose up from the roof of the library.

  “The lightning hits the rod and then passes through a wire into the earth, right?” said Jack.

  “Exactly!” said Ben.

  “It keeps the lightning from passing into the building and causing a fire,” said Annie.

  “My word, you are both very bright!” said Ben. He seemed happy and relaxed now. “As visiting scholars, what would you most like to learn about on your visit?”

  “You!” Annie and Jack said together.

  “Oh, my.” Ben chuckled. “Well, perhaps I could tell you a bit about myself while we sit in the courtyard of my house. How does that sound?”

  “Cool,” said Jack.

  “Cool indeed!” said Ben. “We will be much cooler under the shade of my mulberry tree!”

  Ben led Jack and Annie down Market Street. Pigs and chickens crossed their path. Horse-drawn carts clattered over the dirty cobblestones. But the heat and smells didn’t seem so bad now.

  “We’re here! Come along!” said Ben.

  Jack and Annie followed Ben down the alley to his courtyard.

  “Please, sit!” said Ben. He motioned to chairs under the shade of the mulberry tree—the same tree that hid the magic tree house.

  “Ahhh!” said Ben, settling into his chair. “Not much cooler here, though, is it?”

  “No, but it’s nice,” said Annie.

  “So, you wish to learn more about me?” said Ben. “Ask me anything!”

  “Well, um…let’s start with when you were a kid,” said Annie.

  Ben laughed. “Excellent starting place—when I was a baby goat!” he said. “My father made candles and soap, and I was one of fifteen children. We were so poor, I had only two years of school, then I had to go to work.”

  “Whoa. What did you do?” said Jack.

  “I worked in my brother’s printing office. At seventeen I left Boston and came to Philadelphia all by myself. I started my own printing shop. Soon I published a newspaper called the Pennsylvania Gazette. Then I created the first public library in North America, the one you just saw. I wrote and printed a bestselling yearly pamphlet called Poor Richard’s Almanack.

  “I started the first fire company in Philadelphia and the first post office. I invented the Franklin woodstove. I introduced cobblestones and street lamps to the city. I founded a college and a hospital. I grabbed electricity from the clouds in my famous kite experiment. And that led to my invention of the lightning rod.

  “I supplied the army in the French and Indian War. I was elected to the Assembly of Pennsylvania. I was elected the first postmaster general of all the colonies. I helped write the Declaration of Independence.

  “I was the American representative to England, France, and Sweden. I negotiated a treaty with England. And I became governor of Pennsylvania.” Ben stopped to catch his breath.

  “Is that all?” said Annie.

  The three of them laughed.

  “I knew I liked you,” said Ben. “But since you asked, there are a few more things I’ve done. For instance, I invented bifocals. By the way, you have very nice glasses, Jack.”

  “Thanks,” said Jack.

  “And I invented a new kind of ship’s anchor,” said Ben. “I created a candle that makes a bright white light and lasts longer than other candles. I’ve written about waterspouts at sea and the origin of northern storms. I’ve kept journals about dolphins, crabs, and the moon.”

  “Wow,” said Annie.

  There was silence for a moment.

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” said Ben. “I’ve also studied ants and pigeons.” br />
  They all laughed again.

  Then Ben sighed. “I’m afraid I must stop there because I am growing quite tired of talking about myself.”

  “Well, what are you doing these days?” Jack asked nervously. He knew Ben didn’t want to talk about the meetings at the state house.

  But, to Jack’s surprise, Ben leaned forward in his chair. “Can you keep a secret?” he whispered.

  “Yes!” Jack and Annie whispered back. They leaned closer to him.

  “I tell you this in absolute secrecy,” said Ben. “At the age of eighty-one, I am a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, working to help frame a Constitution for the United States.”

  “No!” whispered Annie.

  “Yes!” whispered Ben. He sat back in his chair and grinned at them.

  “So, when will the new Constitution be ready?” said Jack.

  “That I do not know,” said Ben. He sighed. He frowned. “In truth, dear Jack and Annie, I don’t know if it will ever be ready.”

  “Why? What do you mean?” said Jack.

  “The delegates disagree on so many things!” said Ben. “I worry about the stormy debates we have.” He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “Honestly, right now, I myself do not plan to sign the document.”

  “You don’t?” said Annie.

  “You don’t?” said Jack.

  Ben sighed again. He put his glasses back on and looked at them.

  “No, children,” he said. “I fear I do not.”

  Jack took a deep breath. Now he fully understood their mission: they must get Doctor Benjamin Franklin to sign the Constitution of the United States.

  Morgan had written:

  In Old Philadelphia,

  A paper must be signed.

  Help Doctor Ben

  Make up his mind.

  Jack looked at Annie to see if she understood. She nodded.

  “What is everyone arguing about?” Annie asked Ben.

  “Some want a strong central government,” said Ben, “and others do not. Some are not even sure democracy can work. Can we trust our citizens to rule themselves? Do we need a king? Will the small states have the same power as the big states? My greatest concern, though, is slavery. We must end it! But I fear that will not happen now.”