We will be using the transitional word "but".
To complete the sentence:
Benjamin Franklin was practically penniless when he arrived in Philadelphia, but he was able to buy some rolls.
Quick trivia:
In early America, running away was illegal. Runaways did not fit anywhere and people had to have a place in society. That did not stop Benjamin, instead, he rode a boat to New York in hope to find work as a printer. He didn't continue and walked to New Jersey, finally arriving in Philadelphia via boat ride.
As far as I can tell, this sentence has proper grammar.
