The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-04-08
TRIAL AND TRIUMPH.
How Brave Buckeye Boy Carved his
Way to Victory.

The success Of any worthy young man
is matter for rejoicing. But, with us
the pleasure is augmented when that
young man is an Ohio boy, and has
asserted his manhood in spite of over.
whelming opposition.
On our table is letter relating again
with the ring Of sincerity an oft.told tale
of gratitude, While we have done for
others, high up in the walks of life,
hundred. fold more than for poor Phil
Brown, when the fierce blasts OF
adversity came, few indeed where they
who turned from their pleasant berths
with helping hand or word OF cheer
for him whose soul had been wrought
into the fabric Of their success.
Gratitude, political or otherwise, we
are sorry to say, is not the most common
quality in the human heart. Yet, for
that reason it is all the more welcome.
Back in the early eighties there came
to the writer three or four colored boys,
ambitious to enter the field of journal.
ism. The doors Of other printing Offices
had heen closed against them. But
"cases" were given them in the old Busy
Bee office. One by one, they alltired OF
the routine, except Phil Brown, the son
of a widowed mother, and boy with an
exceptionally honest face and willing
hand. Impressed with his determination
to succeed, we took very kindly in
terest in his progress. Many were the
curses muttered against US because OF
our interest in the 'nigger." And more
than one blood curdling threat reached
us through the mail. But Phil. never
knew it. He was faithful, conscien.
tious worker and learned rapidly.
After a time, circumstances called
us from Ironton, and we never met Phil
again. But we often heard of him, in the
south, the north and the west, now and
then securing good positions through
his remarkable skill as workman.
But always ousted by a relentless hate
which constantly pursued him, be.
cause the finger of God had jetted his
brow. But he carried in his soul the
pluck of hero, and battled manfully.
Partly through our intercessions with
Senator Sherman and General Enochs,
but more largely through his own extra.
ordinary merit, he secured position in
the Government Printing Office. Even
here storm of wrath pursued him. In
spite of all, he took high rank, and there
he remained, drawing his $50 week
until Grover got his eye on him. There
was no civil service salvation for Phil.
He was hurled out withouta semblance
of ceremony. Though not meant in
kindness, this was the best thing Grover
could have done for him.
Cast out from the ship of state, he must
"swim or drown" The emergency once
more called into action the elements of
manly determination. He found again
that the doors of journalism were shut
in his face. Knock as he would, there
came no answer. Though he struggled
on, hope had almost!left his soul, until
one day there came little gleam-a
pleasant word and kindly interest,
something like that he found in the old
"Busy Bee." All the boy wanted was
chance. His literary productions,
especially his snegro stories are nowsought
and published by leading Journals
on both sides of the ocean. He is rapid.
ly winning his way to fame and fortune.
If ever you see an article by Phil. h.
Brown, don't fail to read it. 1t will pay
you. And remember as you enjoy its
pure, bright thought and polished die.
ton, the poor, unknown darkey boy of
southern Ohio, who has taken place in
the front ranks of journalism, and who
numbers among his warm personal
friends many of the greatest men in
America, including the President, him.
self. Phil is now junior editor of Life
and Health, New York journal of sani.
tation. He is also contributor to the
New York Journal, Judge, and several
of the best magazines, besides number
London publications. We almost hear
him laugh as he says that many of his
articles, once rejected, perhaps without
the slightest investigation, are now &C.
cepted eagerly by the same journals and
Handsomely paid for. 1t makes consider
able difference with some publishers, as
with some people, whether, in the strug.
gle of life, you are the dog underneath or
the dog on top.
sailor is not sailor when he is
aboard, and sailor is not sailor when
he is ashore. But he must be either
ashore or an oar. Therefore, a sailor is
not sailor.