The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-11
A DREAM OF GKRARD AND ITS CON
SEOUENCFg


the city where he amassed his great fortune
in business, was the recipient of his munif-
cent bounty at his death, and his name aud
memory are well preserved in the Girard
College, Girard Row, Girard avenue, Girard
Bank, Girard Insurance Company, Girard
House, etc. At Girard College, where the
support and education of some Ave hundred
orphan and half-orphan boys are provided
for, there is q marble statue of Mr.. Girard,
which represents him with exact fidelity to
his appearance in life. He was of short sta
ture, benevolent smile, and had a shrewd
face. He wore large, peculiar coat, and his
hair was tied in queue. His whole life was
marked by eccentricities, which, in no par
ticular, were more observable than in his oc-
casional acts of benevolence.
In his Office was young man as clerk, who
attended to his duties very intelligently
and faithfully. This had attracted the atten-
tion of Mr. Girard, for nothing escaped him.
One morning he came into the Office, AMI,
calling the clerk, remarked
Young man, dreamed about you last
night"
VbFDreamed of mel" returned the clerk, in
surprise.
Eyes; saw form and heard voice. The
form was your own, and the voice said:-
This man is your best clerk, but he should
be cooper. Merchants fail, but coopers are
always sure of living by their trade So
you must leave me and learn to be a first
rate cooper. l never go contrary to my
dreams They often tell me how to pro-
ceed. / trust them as l do my own judg-
ment, and obey them conscientiously. Go
and get place to learn the trade of cooper,
and when you can make a barrel come and see
me again."
The clerk was, of course, greatly astonished.
But he had no fear of toll, and he knew that
he would lose nothing, in any event, by fall
ing in with the directions of Mr.. Girard. Ac-
cordingly he settled up his affairs at the
office, and in few days engaged with Mr..
Girard's cooper to learn the trade. During a
long period he kept steadily at work, and
made excellent progress.
Meanwhile Mr.. Girard had not forgotten
him. He often saw the young man in his
overalls on the wharves at work, and he al
ways spoke encouragingly to him. He had
not made up his mind as to what he would
do for him, but he was greatly pleased at the
successful carrying out of his dream. On
one occasion, as he came from the wharf, he
muttered:
'My young cooper is doing WELL He is
man every inch of him. L must give him
helping hand.
Afew nights subsequently the good old man
was sleeping calmly in his humble looking
apartment. His real wealth did not show
itself in anything about him. The furniture
was old fashioned, and all the surroundings
were strictly after the plain taste of the
owner. AS he sumbered his countenance
was calm and without the trace of a single
care. At times a slight smile fitted over his
face, and he seemed to be in pleasant dream.
His sumbers continued for a considerable
time, when he suddenly awoke. He rubbed
his eyes and then spoke.
Z "Ah, ha!" he said, 'Ive had dream again
about my young cooper. L thought that I'd
hear something about him again. There is a
good spirit looking after his welfare, surely
When he finishes his apprenticeship, and is
good cooper, give him twenty Thousand dol
lars to start in business, whispered the voice
in my ear. OF course 1 will. He is worthy
of encouragement. The money will go into
good hands. OF course I'll give it to him,
but in my own way. Ha ha! I've a plan for
that"
Soon the old man dropped into slumber
again. He had the same calm countenance
and the same serene smile. His life was de-
void of all evil, and his dreams were of good
deeds in store for the future.
Time passed on. One day the young man
came into Mr.. Girard's office. He was in the
garb of a mechanic, and he looked healthful
and sinewy from manual labor.
''Good day, Mr.. Girard, he said, as the
old gentleman turned to him with a warm
greeting. 81 have come to tell you that l
am good cooper now. I've served my en-
tire time"
''Can you make good barrel?"
"As good as any cooper in Philadelphia. y
Make me twenty, and bring them here
yourself"
The young man went off, and in an hour
was heard at work at the barrels He was
really superior workman, and when the
twenty barrels were completed they were the
admiration of all in the shop. When they
had been placed in Mr.. Girards store he ex-
amined every one of them with the closest
scrutiny. He looked at the staves the hoops,
the heads, the shape, the cutting, and the
driving, and in the end remarked to the
young cooper, who was anxiouslv waiting for
his verdict
''They are good barrels. never saw bet
ter. You have learned your trade and done
your part faithfully. Come into the count
ing-room, and Ill now do mine"
The couple went into the Office. The old
mans face was beaming with pleasure and
satisfaction, and the young mans was flushed
and pale by turns from the peculiar circum
stances of the moment. Mr.. Girard took
down his check book and wrote check. This
he cut out, and then, turning to the young
man, said:--
my young friend listen to me. Youi
fidelity, promptness, and energy early at
tracted my attention. Then had the dream
about you l mentioned TO you long time
ago. You acted with alacrity upon the sug
gestion made in consequence of that dream
and to-day you stand before me skilled in a
trade. 1 have dreamed of you in the mean
time. A good spirit whispered into nay cal
to give you twenty thousand dollars. You
have made for me twenty superior barrels
saI, L mill