Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-09-24
From Honsehnld Worlds
STEPHEN GIRARD.

About the 1850, in the enyirons of
Bordeaux, in France, there lived an old
sea-captain, named Pierre Gir4rd, with
Madame Lafarge, his wife. They had
already four children-no matter whether
male or female, for they lived and died
in the obscurity in which they were
born. But in the year 1850, on the Dist
of May, another child came into the
world-a boy, named Stephen Girard.
Up to the age of ten or twelve, there
is no record of the life or progress of this
boy. At that time he was found, with
one eye, embarked as a cabin-boy, with
no other requirements than an imperfect
knowledge of the elements of reading
and writing, on board vessel bound for
the West Indies. His one eye was made
the subject of ridicule amongst his COM
panions, and his temper was thus early
soured for life. With this physical de-
; formity, without friends, patronage or
money, he was thrown upon the world.
He did not remain long in the West
Indies, but bound himself as an appren-
tice to a shipmaster, in whose service he
first set foot in the port of New York,
about the year 1854. Morose as Stephen
Girard was, he gained the confidence of
his employer, and he was made mate of
the vessel in which he sailed, and after
wards captain, when his master left the
, sea. He voyaged several times success
fully to and from New Orleans. In this
position he first began to accumulate
means, and trade on his own account, and
he soon became part owner of the ship
and cargo which he commanded. A
- large gap in the minute progress of hi.
history now occurs, but in 1853 we find
him an obscure, plodding, quiet, thrifty
= trader, in Water street, Philadelphia.
At this period he took a liking to ont
Mary or Polly Lum, the daughter of al
- old ship caulker, who lived in water
:, side house, down amongst the vessels tina
traded to that city. The girl was plain
! but comely, and employed as a domestic
7, servant in a neighboring family. Ste
II pher Girard does not appear to hav'
! been looked upon with favor by the pa
- rents of the girl, for they forbade him tn
10 house for some time. They were event
ually married, but the union was not
happy one. She was neglectful of be
duty; he was morose and austere. On
- child was born, which died AT lengt
i he applied to the Legislature of Pennsyl
= vania for a divorce, and obtained it.
of He still continued to rent the sma
bo house in Water street, to which he ha
"a taken his wife when they were married
od and he industriously pursued his CON
of bined occupations of sea captain, shi
owner and merchant About this tim
Of he entered into partnership with on
hi Isaac Hazlehurst, of Philadelphia, an
-. purchased two vessels in which to trad
,u to the Island of St. Domingo. The brig
,oo were captured by British men-of-war, an
sent to Jamaica-a misfortune which di
or solved the short partnership. There
!. another gap in the story of Stephen G
rard, extending from 1872 TO 1875.
;t is probable that during this time he cot
viii tinued his old business, trading as shil
master and merchant to New Orleans an
in St. Domingo.
o,- The war put an end to the sea ente
Tho prises of Stephen Girard, and he WI
49,. compelled to turn his attention to Il
,od land. He opened small grocery stoi
in in Water street, joined with a bottlir
oh, establishment, where he toiled hard vii
Ioa his own hands at the occupation Of be
IL, Ting claret and cider. About the yei
N 1777, upon the alleged approach of Il
lrv British to Philadelphia, he purchased
tad small tract Of land from his former pal
emf ner, Mr.. Hazlehurst, on which there w
ru. a house, to which he removed his bui
- ness employing his time, early and lai
edit in preparing claret and cider for the ma
Iitv ket, and selling them al a large profit
, to the American army, encamped near /
] of residence. Here he remained till III
sometimes making voyage in boat
lar- water peddler 10 Philadelphia, to d
nit pose of his wares. His appearance "
day not mach 10 his favor. His skin "
zen. dark and dingy bis form was short a
ord thick he was coarse, rough, vulgar a
had ungainIy and bis one eye glared omi
uch ousIy upon Lis customers. lie met vi