Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-09-24

he bore with great taclturnlty ana COM re
posure. He had but one object in view, "a
which he followed with all the energy Of OF
an iron will. That object was to make n
u
When Philadelphia was evacuated by P
the British in 1879, Stephen Girard was n
again found in Water street, this time Il
occupying range OF frame stores upon S
upon the east side. He was no more T
than twenty nine years Of age, but SO c
plain, grave and repulsiye 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 coun-
try. He was quietly biding his time
His store was well filed with old blocks,
sails, pieces of cordage, and other mate
rials useful for ship building.
In 1880, Stephen Girard again com
menced the New Orleans and st. Do
mingo trade. In two years he had pro-
gressed so far as to be able TO purchase
ten years lease, with renewal, Of a
range of brick stores, one of which he
occupied himself. The rents were very
low at the time, and the purchase very
advantageous-perhaps the turning point
in his fortunes.
In 1880, his wife, Mary Girard, from
whom he had been divorced, was admit
ted 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
u his one object in the world at last she
+ died, in the year 1915. On being told Of
t her DEATH Stephen Girard selected her
= burial place, and requested that he should
n be called as soon as all the arrangement.
oi for her funeral were completed. Sht
oi was buried in the manner of the Friends
I Her husband was there, glaring with hi
lie one fearless eye, silent and unmoved af
5 ter taking one short look of her remains
10 he departed, saying, all is we'll" II,
'o returned home, and began to give largely
III to the local charities and hospitals from
p this day.
. A circumstance occurred at this periot
rs which materially aided Stephen Girar,
IL in his cherished determination. He wa
y engaged in the West India trade-partie
ularly in the Island of ST. Domingo
ne and at the moment of the we'll know
an outbreak of the slaves, he had two vessel
r. lying off the port. The alirighted plant
at ers rushed to the dock and deposited thei
N, most valuable treasures in those ships 70
nc safety, returning to secure more. The
te- were nearly all, with their families, ma,
We sacred. Stephen Girard advertised lit
IA orally for the owners Of the property, bg
he very few claimants ever appeared, and
1t was transported to Philadelphia to swe
a the store and increase the power Of til
Ter one-eyed capitalist, who commenced Oh
ne building Of those large ships engaged
9Th the trade with China and Calcutta whie
yl- were, at that time, the pride Of Americi
II 1898, fearful pestilence broke OF
all in the city Of Philadelphia / he yelo
ad fever left whole streets tenantless ii
ed, hearse was the vehicle most frequent
m seen in the streets those who wore th
MP badge Of mourning on their arms wer
me avoided even by their friends aud III
me fumes of tobacco and camphor filled q
nd cry house in the city. While the pest
'de lence was at its height, square, repu
igs sive man boldly entered one Of the mo
md crowded hospitals, and bore out in h
lis arms victim in the last saffron color,
, is stage of the disease. For days and weel
81 this man continued to perform the san
II terrible office Of attending upon the 81,
on and dying discharging the most paint
lip and dangerous duties Of the lowest Sc
md want in the place. This repulsive loo
ing Samaritan was Stephen Girard, wi
er- his strong viii, his bodily ennrgy, b
vas stout heart, and bis one eye. The har
the gripping trader was not 50 selfish after a
ore When all the paid attendants, all the ri
ing itors Of the poor, were either dead, dyin
nth or had ned-when no olfers Of mons
'ot- would purchase that labor which was r
ear quired for the reorganization Of the Pe.
the House Hospital at Bush's Hili--two "a
nobly volunteered for the forlorn task
art Stephen Girard and Peter Helm. {
was the afternoon OF the same day on viii
usi- he offered his services, Stephen Giral
ate, a merchant Of growing wealth and inf
lar- ence, foreigner with no ties Of count
TO between him and the afflicted city, enfe
his cd upon his dangerous task with ali 1
70, perseverance and decision Of his chara
as Ter. He soon established order a