Freeman's champion., 1858-07-22
was compelled ID turn his attention

was compelled 10 turn his attention
to the land.
He opened a small grocery store in
Water Street, joined with bottling
establishment, where he worked hard
with bis own hands at the occupa-
tion OF bottling claret and cider
About the year seventeen hundred
and seventy-seven, upon the alleged
approach of the B itish to Philadel-
phia, he purchased small tract of
land from his former partner, Mr.. Ha-
zlehurSt, on which there was house,
to which he removed his business !;
employing his time, early and late,
in preparing claret and cider for the
market, and selling them at large
profit to the American army encamped
near his residence. Here he renamed
until seventeen hundred and seventy
nine, sometimes making voyage in
boat as a water-peddler to Philadel-
phia to dispose of his wares. His
appearance was not much in his favor.
His skin was dark and dingy, his
form was short and thick he was
coarse, rough, vulgar, and ungainly !
and his one eyeglarcd ominously up
on his customers. He met with jeers
and taunts from every side, which he
bore with great taciturnity and com
posure. lie had but one object in
view, which he followed with all the
steady energy Of an iron will. That
object was, to make money.
When Philadelphia was evacuated
by the British, in seventeen hundred
and seventy-nine, Stephen Girard
was again found in Water Street,
this time occupying range of frame
stores upon the east side. He was no
more than twenty-nine years Of age,
but so plain, grave, and repulsive in
appearance, that he was known as
Old Girard." His business could
not have been very prosperous at this
period, considering the disturbed
and depressed state Of the country
lie was quietly biding his time. His
store was we'll filled with old blocks,
sails, pieces of cordage, and other
materials useful for ship-building.
In seventeen hundred and eighty,
the New 6GfisSSs S6Giis%sIl aha known Domingo
trade. In twoyears he had progressed
so far as to be able to purchase a ten
years lease, with renewal, of range
of brick and frame stores, one Of
which he occupied himself. The rents
were low at the time, and the pur-
chase very advantagous--perhaps the
turning-point in his fortunes,
In seventeen hundred and eighty,
his wife, Mary Girard, from whom
he had been divorced, was admitted
an insane patient into the Pennsylva-
MIA Hospital. Here she remained
shut up twenty-five years and one
month, while her husband was busily
pursuing his one object in the world;
ut last she died, in the year eighteen
hundred and fifteen. On being told
of her death, Stephen Girard selected
her burial-place, and requested that
he should be called as soon as all the
arrangements for her funeral were
completed. She was buried in the
manner Of the Friends. Her huS-
band was there, glaring with his one
fearless eye, silent and unmoved.--
After taking one short look at the re-
mains, he departed, saying, "All is
we'll" He returned home, and be-
gan to give largely to the local char
tiles and hospitals from this day.
A circumstance occurred at this
period which materially aided Ste
phen Girard in his cherished deter
mination, He was engaged in the
West India trade--particularly in
the island of Saint Domingo--and at
the moment OF the well-known out
break Of the slaves he had two ves-
sells lying off the port. The alright
cd planters rushed to the docks, and
deposited their most valuable treas
ures in those ships for safety, return
ing to secure more. They were near
ly all with their Families, massacred.
Stephen GirArd advertised literally
for the owners to the property, but
very fow claimants ever appeared /;
and it was transported to Philadel-
phia to swell The store and increase the
power of the ono-eyed capitalist, who
commenced the building OF large
ships engaged in the trade with Chi
M and Calcutta, which were at the
time, the prid 10 of America. G
In seventeen hundred and ninety
three a fearful pestilence broke out in
the city Of Philadelphia. The yellow
fever left whole streets tenantless
the hsarse was the vehicle most fire. |
nuantlv onnu In tba alreata thoaa