BEN And ME (5)

BEN and ME (5)

When BEN found us there, he scooped me up in one hand.

" Amos ! Amos ! Speak to me ! " he cried.

I could almost forgive him, for what I had suffered, he seemed so deeply upset.

Shakily I managed to open one eye.

" Amos ! " he cried again.
" Was it electricity ?"

I had been the victim of plot !
All he cared about was whether or not the sizzle in a  lightning bolt was the same as electricity !
That was the end of me !

"Good-by ! "I said.
And though he pleaded with me to change my mind, I left Ben then and went back to my family.

The years that followed were troubled ones.
Restless crowds filled the streets.

There were riots, and loud talk against the stamp tax and other outrages of the king.

It was during this crisis that Ben was chosen to go to England and lay our case before the king.

The colonies eagerly awaited his return.
But Ben's misson was a failure.
The king would not listen.

It seemed as if war must surely come.
But the people had no clear statement of their cause to hold them together through a long, bitter fight.

Poor old Ben was worried.

I couldn't help feeling sorry for the little man.
It was a heavy responsibility he hadーmore than he could carry.

I could help himーI knew I could.
But no !
I could not go back to work for Benjamin Franklin.
After all, a mouse has his pride !

(つづく　5/7)