Poor Richard observes Father Abraham in a crowd of people waiting outside the merchant’s storefront, and he appears to have the appearance of a reliable and old wise man with white hair. The crowd seems to know and recognize Father Abraham, so they ask him what he thinks about the woeful state of their finances and the pressures they experience as a result of heavy taxes. Father Abraham, a devotee of Poor Richard’s Almanack, quotes Poor Richard at length while responding to the crowd’s invitation to comment on the difficulty of the times and to offer advice.

Poor Richard is Benjamin Franklin’s fictional alter ego. Under this pseudonym, Franklin wrote and published Poor Richard’s Almanack once a year from 1732 to 1758. The simple, unsophisticated voice of Poor Richard makes Franklin’s advice and life lessons accessible to all readers, and Poor Richard’s aphorisms are the most well-remembered piece of the publication.

Poor Richard was also known as Richard Saunders during the early years of publication. Through Poor Richard, Franklin was able to comment on growing businesses and scientific advancements of his age, as well as offer practical household tips and light amusing pieces of writing.