The World did not thrive under the ownership of Gould. It did not possess public confidence. The paper was used as an instrument in Gould's Wall street operations. Brilliant editorials could not redeem it from the withering influence of Gould's name. Its circulation had shrunk to 15,000 when Mr. Joseph Pulitzer purchased it in May, 1883.
After church, charities, politics and the press, the relations of Mr. Gould with his employes are interesting to notice.
Mr. Gould was not a believer in cheap men. In the employment of help he regarded economy as poor policy. In the various branches of his extended business he aimed to secure the best men possible, and he was never known to dicker over the amount of pay. His conspicuous success in avoiding the legal shoals through which he was obliged to thread his way during his eventful career was due mainly to the fact that he always had in his employ the very best legal talent that money could procure.
The story about Mr. Sage and his office boy has been frequently told in Wall street, but it has never appeared in print. Mr. Sage had an office boy who had been with him for several years, was familiar with his methods and moods, and understood perfectly well the status of each of Mr. Sage's customers. The boy was alert, tactful and faithful, and in due course of time received tempting offers to leave Mr. Sage's employ. He, however, stuck to Mr. Sage for a long while, imbued with the false hope of advancement.
