Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-08-18
CLEARFIELD, PA. WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10, 1858.

when the country WIS placed in extreme
embarrassment from the scarcity of mon.
ey, by reason Of the balance Of trade being
against it, he was enabled, 10y a single
transaction with an eminent English firm
to turn the exchanges, aud cause specie to
flow into the States.
Stephen Girard began his remarkable
trading career, With one object, which he
steadily kept in view all his long life--the
making OF money for the power it confer
red. He wa contented, at starting, with
the small profits of the retail trader, will
ling to labor in any capacity to make those
secure. He practised the most rigid per-
soral economy; he cxacted the last far
thing that was due to him and he paid the
last farthmg that he owed. lie took every
advantage which the law allowed him in
resisting a claim he used men Just so far
as they would accomplish his purposes =
he paid his servant no more than the
market price when faithful cashier
died, he exhibited the utmost indifier-
ence, making no provisions for his family.
and uttering no sentiment of regret for
his loss. He would higgle for a penny
with huckster in the street: he would
deny the watchman at his bank, the Gus
tomary Christmas present of great coat
10 add to this singular and deficient
charac er, he was deaf in one ear, could
only speak broken English, never con-
versed upon anything but business. and
wore the same old coat, cut in the French
style, for five years together. An old rick
city chair, remarkable for its age, and
marked with the initials "S. G." drawn
10y faded horse, was used when he rode
about the city. He had no sense Of hospi.
tality, no friend to share his house or / is
table. He was deferential in appearance,
to rank and family. Violent and passion
ate, only to one man-an old and faith,
ful clerk named Robergot. His theologi
cal opinions were heterodox in the ex-
treme, and he loved tn name his splendid
vessels after Votaire and Rousseau. He
was devoted to the improvement of bis
adopted city and country; he was a de-
termined follower of ostentatious charity.
Norman ever applied to him for a large
public grant in vain, while the starving
beggar was invariably sent from his gate
He steadily rose every morning before the
lark, and unceasing labor was the daily
worship Of his life.
Thus he attained his eighty-second
year. In 1881, he had near lost the sight
OF his one eye, and used to be seen CROP
ing about his bank, disregarding every of.
fer OF assistance. Crossing one of the
Philadelphia roads, he was knocked down
bv passing wagon, his face was bruised.
and his right ear nearly cut off. His one
eye, which before opened slightly, was
now entirely closed; he gradually wasted
away, and his health declined. On the
twenty-siXth Of December, Stephen Girard
expired in back-room on the third floor
This house, in Waterstreet, Philadelphia.
leaving the bulk of his large fortune, up
wards of million sterling, to found char
tiles and to benefit the city and country
in which he had acquired it.
He left his monument in the "Girard
College," that marble-roofed palace for
the education and protection OF the or
phan children of the poor, which stands
the most perfect model of architecture in
the New World, high above the buildings
of Philadelphia, visible from every emin-
ence of the surrounding country. Every
detail Of the external and internal arrange
ment of this Orphan College was set forth
clearly and carefully in his will showing
that the design upon which he had lavish
ed the mass Of his wealth, was not the has.
tily developed fancy of a few hours or DAYS,
but was the heart. cherished, silent pro-
ject Of his whole life. Household ,oords.