Apprentice printer.

In 1722, James Franklin's newspaper, the New-England Courant, published a series of letters from a middle-aged widow named Silence Dogood. James had no idea that the letters actually had been written by his 16-year-old brother and apprentice, Ben. Complete the following account of the remarkable Mrs. Dogood with words from the box.

bombarding, entrance, fame, laughter, marriage, petticoats, satire, silly, wave, widow

In her first letter, Mrs. Dogood describes her dramatic (1)-- into the world: "At the time of my Birth, my Parents were on Ship-board in their Way from London to New England.... As [my father], poor Man, stood upon the Deck rejoycing at my Birth, a merciless (2)-- entered the Ship, and in one Moment carry'd him beyond [help].... Thus was my [unhappy] Mother at once made both a Parent and a (3)--."

A second letter describes young Silence's surprise when her guardian, a minister, proposes (4)-- to her: "There is certainly scarce any Part of a Man's Life in which he appears more (5)-- and ridiculous than when he makes his first [attempt at] Courtship. The awkward Manner in which my Master first [revealed] his Intentions, made me, in spite of my Reverence to his Person, burst out into an unmannerly (6)--."

In other letters, Mrs. Dogood pokes fun at the hypocrisy (dishonesty) of men and the "Sort of Pride" that leads women to wear (7)-- and hoop skirts: "If a Number of [the skirts] were well mounted on Noddles Island, they would look more like Engines of War for (8)-- the Town, than Ornaments of the Fair Sex."

Ben enjoyed hearing his older brother laugh upon reading Silence's letters, which were intended as (9)--writing that is purposely exaggerated to poke fun at human behavior. But he was probably surprised to receive marriage proposals from male readers charmed by the spunky widow!

When James learned about the hoax, he was angry. Mrs. Dogood had written her final words. But after leaving his brother's printing shop, Ben Franklin went on to greater (10)--.

Answer Key

1. entrance

2. wave

3. widow

4. marriage

5. silly

6. laughter

7. petticoats

8. bombarding

9. satire

10. fame