The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-09-13
Anecdotes of Stephen Girard.

y paper read by DR. ". NJ Cornell at the
las, meeting OF the New England Historic
Genealogical society in Boston, gave the fol-
lowing interesting anecdotes Of Stephen Gil
rard -
stephen Girard was the sole Judge of his
ben,t;cence. lfrishtly approached he would
give largely; but if dictated to or treated
rude.y, he would not give at all. Samuel
Coates. one OF tie old Friends, knew how TO
manage Girard, while many who sough, aid
from L!m were unsuccessful. Mr. Coates was
one ot the managers OF the PENNSYLVANIA
ii sp.ta, when was then much in want Of
funds. He undertook TO get donation from
Mr. Girart, and meeting him in the street.
stated his object. Mr. Girard asked him to
come to nim the next morning.
Mr. Coates called and found Girard a,
breakfast. He asked HIM to take some,
which Mr. Coates did. After breakfast Mr.
Coates SAID, We'll, Mr. GirarG, we will pro-
ceed to business Wei. what have You
come for, Samuel said Mr. Girard. Just
what thee rleaSes, Stephen replied Mr.
Coates. Girard drew 4 check for $4,000,
which Mr. Coates put in his pocket withou,
looking at it. What. YOU no look a, the
check gave you?' said Mr. Girard No,
bessars must not be choosers, Stephen said
Mr. Coates. Hand ME back again the check
gave you,' demanded Girard. No. no, Ste
phen-a bird in the hand is worth two in the
bush said Mr. Coates. 'By George" said
Grard, YOU have caught NE on the right
footing. He then drew i check for 5000,
snd presented it to Mr. Coates, observing.
viii You now look a, it? We'll, to please
thee, Stephen, will said Mr. Coates. Now
give NE back the first check demanded Mr.
Girard-which was accordingl, done.
The Rev DIR Stcughton, an eminent Bap-
tst minister of Philadelphia, did not under
stand Mr. Grard so well as Mr. Coates did
When they were about building their meet
ing house in Sansom street, DR. Stoughton
called on Mr. Girard for aid Girard received
him, as he usually did beggars. coolly but
courteously. and gave him check for $500
DIR Stoushton received it with low bow:
but, upon examining it, expressed ais aston
ishment. adding, 'only $500. Surely. YOU
will not give us less than 1000. Let me
see the check, Mr. StouShton,' said Mr. Gil
rard; perhaps have made one mistake
The doctor returned him the check. With
the utmost sang jroid Grard tore it into
fragments, observing: We'll, Mr. Stoughton,
if you will not have what give, will give
nothing The doctor left him exceedingly
mortified
"Girard had no preference for one sect
more than for another, and he gave to build
churches merely for the improvement of the
city.
The Methodists wished 20 build church
in Tenth street, just north of Chestnut
Thomas Haskins, merchant, and a neighbor
of Girard, called on him, and urged his suit
for aid in very modest terms. Girard replied,
4 approve of your object and presented him
check for $500 The Methodist society
failed. and the house was bought by the E.
piscopalians, who wished to alter it into the
splendid Gothic house now called st Ste
phen's church. A committee waited upon
Mr. Girard, told him their plan, and asked
his aid. He gave them check for $780,
They were disappointed, and said: Why, You
gave the Methodists $500 for their little
church, and We are going TO build more
splendid edifice, and surely you will give US
COMFORTING with the grandeur of our design.
Have YOU not omitted cypher?' They re-
turned him the check, asking him to make 1t
$4,000. Girard tore it in pieces, and added ::
Il will not give you one cent. Your society
is rich-the Me,hodists are poor. You re-
mind me of the rich man in the gospel. He