The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-09-26
OF stephen ssirard

the last meeting of the Now England
Historical al-Genealogica Society in Boston,
gave the following interesting anecdotes
of Stephen Girard:
"Stephen Girard was the sole judge of
his benifcence. If rightly appreciated
he would give largely; but if dictated to
or treated rudely he would not give at all.
Samuel Coates, one of the old Friends,
knew how to manage Girard while many
who sought aid from him were unsuccess-
full. Mr. Coates was trustee of the
Pennsylvania Hospital, which was then
much in want of funds. He undertook
to get donation from Mr.. Girard, and
meeting him in the street, stated his OBJ
ject. Mr.. Girard asked him to come to
him the next morning.
Mr. Coates called and found Mr. Gil
| rard at breakfast He asked him to take
some, which Mr.. Coates did. After break
fast Mr. Coates said, ssWell Mr.. Girard
we will proceed to business" "Well, what
have you come for, Samuel 2" said Mr..
Girard "Justwhat thee pleases, Stephen, :"
replied Mr. Coates. Girard drew check
for $1,000, which Mr. Coates put in his
pocket without looking at it. "What !.
you not look at the check [ gave you ?'
said Mr. Girard ''No, beggars are not
choosers, Stephen" said Mr.. Coates
Gland me back again the check gave you,
demanded Girard. "No, no, Stephen, a
bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" !"
said Mr.. Coates. ''By George" said Gil
rard, "you have caught me on the right
footing" He then drew a check for
$4,000, and then presented it to Mr.. Coates
or
DWELL, to please thee, Stephen, / will
said Mr. Coates. Now give me the first
check" demanded Mr.. Girard-which was
accordingly done.
The Rev. Mr.. Stoughton, an eminent
Baptist minister of Philadelphia, did not
understand Mr. Girard SO well as Mr..
Coates did. When they were about build
ing their meeting house on Samson St.
DIR. Stoughton called on Mr.. Girard for
aid. Mr. Girard received him as he usu-
ally did beggars, coolly but courteously,
and gave him a check for $500 DIR.
Stoughton received it with a low bow; but
upon examining it, expressed his aston
ishment, adding, '.only $500. Surely you
will not give Us less than $1,000" "Let
me see the check, Mr. Stoughton." said
| Girard ''perhaps have made mistake y
The Dr. returned him the check. With
the utmost sang tro5d Girard tore it into
! fragments, observing, DWELL, Mr.. Slough
ton, if you Will not have what L 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 to improve the
city.
The Metbodists wished to build q
church in Tenth street, just north OF
Chestnut Thomas Haskins, a merchant
and neighbor of Girard, called on him
and urged his suit for aid 10 very modest
terms. Girard replied, ''I approve OF your
object" and presented him check fol
$500. The Methodist society failed, and
the house was bought by the Episcopalians
who wished to alter it into the splendid
Gothic house now called St Stephens
church. a committee waited upon Rir
Girard, told him their plans, and asked
his aid He gave them a check for $500
They were disappointed, and said, ''why
you gave the Methodists $500 for THEN
little church, and we are going to build a
more splendid edifce, and surely you will
give us something COMFORTING with the
grandeur of our design. Have you not
omitted cypher? 2" They returned the
check, asking him to make it $4,000. Gil
rard tore it III pieces, and added, ''I will
not give you one cent. Your society is
rich-the Methodists are poor. You re-
mind me of the rich man in the gospel
He would pull down and build greater
Profit by his fate, gentlemen. | have
nothing to give for your splendid church ,
An old quaker has related to me the
following: A man who had just set up il
| the hardware business, and who had been
a clerk where Girard had traded, applied
to him for share Of his patronage. Gil
rard bought of him, and when he brought
in the bill, found fault and marked down
the prices. "Casks of nails" said he
"which / was offered so and so, you have
charged so and SO, and you must take il
off," 81 can't do it," said the young mer
chant s'You mast do it" said Girard-
81 cannot and will not" said the merchant
Girard bolted out Of the door, apparently
] in rage, but soon after sent a check fol
the whole bill The young man began t,
relent and say to himself, "Perhaps' h
was offered them at that price. But it,
all over now, and am very sorry | dc
not reduce the bill and get it out of hin
OF something else His trade would hav,