New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-12
4 PATHETIC STORY.
MAYOR WARWICK OF PHILADELPHIA
LENDS A HELPING HAND TO 4 De-
SERVING MAN.

SERVING MAN.
From The Philadelphia Record.
A striking story of a plucky and cultivated
young colored mans struggle to rise above AL
most insurnlountable obstacles in securing high
er education. and OF how Mayor warwick was
led to sympathize with and lend helping hand
to the heroic fellow, IL told by well-known
Philadelphian, who prefers that his name shall
not be used. 1t Is a tale Of a man Of talent
forced to battle against adverse fates and preju-
dices; a man whose rare perseverance has at
last won for him the friendship OF those who can
aid him to yet higher achievements. 1t is mar
rated as follows:
In the year 1886, in the Wharton School Of
the University of Pennsylvania, was a student
whose work had been exceptional to the point OF
being marvellous. He had been teacher In the
South. and taking the Civil Service examination
ne had secured place as night inspector in the
customs service at Philadelphia.
He entered the University as junior. rank
ing special student and not entitled TO
diploma on completing the course. He was per-
mitted to do the freshman and sophomore work
with the understanding that he would be ma
circulated as a regular student should ne catch
up with his class
AT the end OF the junior year he stood we'll In
his class. and had successfully met all the tests
Of the freshman work. At the end OF the first
term OF the senior year he had completed the
sophomore work in satisfactory way, and was
matricuatCd as n regular student. AL the enc
Of the senior year he took the regular degree or
bachelor standing second IN his class.
THE student WAS coal black. The study had
been done while the student had been working
faithfully as a night inspector along the wharVcs
OF Delawarc-dvc. He had followed the textbook
work 10y the light Of "A lantern. and his days
were free for reference studies in the Libraries.
In The year 1887 the American Tariff League
offered a prize and several silver medals FOR the
best essays offered by members of the senior
classes Of American colleges on subject con-
nccted with the tariff. our black student en-
tered the competition a score OF colleges were
represented, and yet he secured silver medal.
So In two years he had done four years univer-
at.1 second
and made splendid showing in an outside COM
petition.
His ambition was to study law change OF
Administration at Washington brought about
change Of Collector at the Philadelphia Custom
House. and black night inspector was
promptly dismissed. Notwithstanding the fact
that eminent members Of the University faculty
had interceded to secure his retention. SO the
law studies were abandoned until night work
could be secured.
He drifted around. applying here and there
for work. and finally became belhoy in
Philadelphia hotel Utterly dsheariened and
Disguised with his work. he became day Ia
boror in the city Hall of Philadelphia where l
found him carrying brick and mortar in May
last. eleven years after he had made that splen-
did record at the University Of Pennsylvania
He had borrowed from wealthy college mates in
tho hope of making start. His wages barely
supported him. and TO the disenchaniments or
his youthful ambitions was added the humilIa-
ton Of having debts which he saw no means or
Il went directly to the Mayor Of Philadelphia.
and told the story Of the mans HE
Where is ne now asked the Mayor
downstairs showing a wheeibarro", re-
piled
Can you bring him here?
80 our student. wearing the begrimed clothing
Of his work. presented 10 the Mayor. Ills
hands hardened by years Of contact with bricks
and mortar grasped those OF the Chief Magis-
trate.
" Take "A cigar. said the Mayor. and II was
evident that this public man. experienced in
dealing with his fellow citizens, wished To put
this laborcr at his ease In order 10 take his
measure fairly. They talked ten minutes Then
the Mayor said
81 have "A son who will enter the law school
next term. and | want you TO he classmates TX
there liz night work 10 be had in this building,
you shall have H..
among my priced letters is from Mayor
Warwick In which he says: Mr.. Blank VIII be-
Gin work tomorrow as night Waterman in the
public buildings and he can now prepare ior
entry on his law studies next fall