To his surprise he found that every situation in the editorial department

of the journals was full, always had been full, was always likely to be

full. It seemed to him that the newspaper managers didn't want genius,

but mere plodding and grubbing. Philip therefore read diligently in the

Astor library, planned literary works that should compel attention, and

nursed his genius. He had no friend wise enough to tell him to step into

the Dorking Convention, then in session, make a sketch of the men and

women on the platform, and take it to the editor of the Daily Grapevine,

and see what he could get a line for it.

One day he had an offer from some country friends, who believed in him,

to take charge of a provincial daily newspaper, and he went to consult

Mr. Gringo--Gringo who years ago managed the Atlas--about taking the

situation.

Take it of course," says Gringo, "take anything that offers, why not?"

But they want me to make it an opposition paper."

Well, make it that. That party is going to succeed, it's going to elect

the next president."

"I don't believe it," said Philip, stoutly, "its wrong in principle, and

it ought not to succeed, but I don't see how I can go for a thing I don't

believe in."

126

The Gilded Age