The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-14
CHILDs, TIE GENEROUS,

| Stories About Philadslphla's Grsat News
paper Mantle did not Make his For
tune by Squeezing other People, but
by Helping them-Eis PhiIo-
sophy In Regard to
TraInps
George William Childs, the late
editor Of the Philadelphia Public Led
ger, was one Of the most remarkable
men of this or any period. He is re-
markable first for his great success in
business, but he is much more remark
able for tie manner in which be has
employed the means growing out Of
his success, writes T. c. Crawford in
the New York Wor'1, some time pre-
vious to the death of the famous editor
and philanthropist. He is of that rare
type that prosperity improves instead
of injuring. Most people make their
money and their success in life through
studied selfshness. To make the
ordinary fortune the interests of great
many people have to I've sacrificed.
Mr. Childs has made his fortune in
no such way. He has apparently con-
drcted business upon principles entire
ly opposite to those which govern the
ordinary transactions of life. From the
first he has been generous. He has
always been ready to extend helping
hand to those about him and he has
never sought triumph at the expense
of his individual associates. He is 80
exceptional man in every one of his
methods of doing business that it is
certain no one resembling him can be
found in any of the cities of the world.
Business friends never go to Mr..
Childs to obtain loan without succeed
ing. He never yet received any interest
on such loans. Notwithstanding the
fact that he has loaned money right
and left to any one who has any sort
ofa claim upon him, yet he has rarely
lost anything by such liberality. His
business judgment Of men is nearly
infallible.
QUICK TO DISCERN BUSINESS ABILITY.
A remarkable instance of his good
judgment was shown several years ago,
when q certain business man came to
Philadelphia to establish himself. This
business man had a moderate amount
of capital. He launched cut in liberal
style of advertising. This and his dar-
ing methods of business led number
of Philadelphia people to think that he
would not last long. Mr. Childs thought
vel! of him, and as be is always ready
to encourage new ventures he offered
this merchant an unlimited credit in
his advertising columns. AS the rule
of the Ledger Office is cash down for.
everything in the way of advertise
ments this exception in favor Of a new
man, who was at best experimenting
in establishing himself, was very re-
markable.
The new merchant availed himself
of this offer. His bills for advertising
soon became very large. The cashier
of the Ledger office became nervous.
He went to Mr.. Childs Several times
and said:
sDo you know this man owes US
S3O,OOO?"
Mr.. Childs said: "Never mind"
The bill became 10000, and yet Mr..
Childs made no sign of withrawirg;
his favor. The bill reached the sum of
$4,000 before the merchant came near
Mr.. Childs to say one word about pay
ing. One morning he walked in and
said:
"Mr. Childs you have been very kind
to me. Your credit has done much to
maintain confidence in my ability to
succeed. People have said if Mr.. Childs
can trust him we all can. The result
is that am now upon my feet, and
can settle my bill to-day if you will
take s40,0 900 of it in trade dollars"
Mr.. Childs accepted the offer, and
sold them afterward as bullion. He
thus recovered the full amount of his
debt and thereby gained a very loyal
and devoted business friend. This
merchant whom he thus favored is
to-day one of the most prosperous
merchants in Philadelphia.
he REFORMS A DRUNKARD.
The morning after the announce
ment was made that he had bought
the paper the city editor of that then
failing sheet called upon Mr.. Childs
for the purpose Of finding out whether
he would be retained in his place or
not. He came into Mr.. Childs's book
store and said to him:
II understand that you have bought
the Public Ledger"
This city editor, whose name was
Coleman, then continued:
"You and I are old friends. We
come from the same town, Baltimore,
and there is no reason why we should
not get on"
"To be frank with you," said Mr..
Childs in response to this, II had made
up my mind that you were the very
first man that should discharge"
"Why?" stammered Coleman in dis
may. ..'..
Because" said Mr.. Childs, "you