He wrote under the name of "Justus." After a few months his articles began to attract attention for their originality of thought, boldness of utterance, and brilliancy of style.
Much speculation was on foot in political and journalistic circles as to the author of the articles signed "Justus." But his incognito was respected.
At length on a notable occasion, the gifted young journalist was requested by the publisher of the National Liberator, to write a leader on a certain Reform Bill then up before the House of Commons.
This work was so congenial to the principles and sentiments of the author, that it became a labor of love, and was performed, as all such labors should be, with all the strength of his intellect and affections.
This leader made the anonymous writer famous in a day. He at once became the theme of all the political and newspaper clubs.
And now a grand honor came to him.
The Premier—no less a person—sent his private secretary to the office of the National Liberator to inquire the name and address of the author of the articles by "Justus," with a request to be informed of them if there should be no objection on the part of author or publisher.
The private secretary was told, with the consent of the author, what the name and address was.
"Mr. John Scott, office of the National Liberator."
Upon receiving this information, the Premier addressed a note to the young journalist, speaking in high terms of his leader on the Reform Bill, predicting for him a brilliant career, and requesting the writer to call on the minister at noon the following day.