Ben Franklin As A Reliable Narrator

Ben Franklin's autobiography includes an anecdote about how in his youth he convinced his friends to steal some stones from a quarry so he could build a wharf. Young Franklin had to be secretive about this because his father did not approve of his interest in the sea. Of course, little Ben is found out and, in turn, punished. From this he derives that dishonesty never leads to any favorable outcome.
While a lovely little story, its placement not only fits in well with the chronology of Franklin's autobiography, but also works to establish an older Mr. Franklin, who now is recollecting his life, as a reliable narrator and all around good guy. As a proficient  prolific writer, Ben Franklin surely was aware of this clever little literary play. With as talented as a writer as Franklin was, this clearly was no coincidence.
Look at how Ben Franklin's story differs from a short quote from the unreliable narrator of Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield, who tells his readers, "I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life."
Of course, in addition to how reliable of narrators they are, there is another major difference between Caulfield and Franklin that demands to be considered. One existed while the other was created. In my eyes, this makes Holden Caulfield's character come off as a brilliant invention of J.D. Salinger and Franklin come off as a touch smug.