Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-11-17
A Dream Of Girard and its Conse
qucnces.

STEPHEN GIRARD was one of the most
remarkable men who ever lived. Philadel-
mia. the CITY where he amassed his great
fortune in business, was the recipient OF
his munifeent bounty at his death, and his
name and memory are well preserved in
the Girard College, Girard row, Girard
avenue, Girard Bank, Girard Insurance
Company, Gimrd House, etc. AT Girard
College, where the support and education
\ of some five hundred orphan and half-or-
n phan bows are provided for, there is mar
4ble statue of Mr. Girard, which represents
shim with exact fidelity TO his appearance
Gin life He was Of short stature, benevo-
!slent smile, and had shrewd face. lie
q wore a large, peculiar coat, and his hair
was tied in queue. His whole life
MAS marked by eccentriciies, which, in no
Particular. were more observable than in
his occasional acts of benevolence.
In his office was young man as clerk,
who attended to his duties very intclli-
9cntly and faithfully This had attracted
6hc attention of Mr. Girard, for nothing
nocaped him. One morning he came into
&C Office, and, calling the clerk, remarked !:
Young man, / dreamed about you last
night
!" Dreamed of me'' returned the clerk.
= surprise.
The form was your own, and the voice
aid This nan is your best clerk, but he
ebonld be cooper Merchants fail but
coopers are always sure ola living by their
Haic' So you must leave me AMI learn TO
Ne first rate cooper. ] never go contrary
=. nv dreams. They often tell me how to
proceed. I trust them as | do my own
Judgment. and obey them conscientious
Nv Go and get place to learn the trade
of cooper. and when you can make bar
+ rel come and see me again.
81 The clerk was, of course, greatly aston
h ished But he had no fear of toll, and he
knew that he would lose nothing, in any
event, by falling in with the directions OF
Mr.. Girard. Accordingly, he settled up his
affairs NJ the ONCE ana IN a Few days en-
ragged with Mr. Girards cooper to learn
sthe trade. During long period he kept
steadily at work, AMI made excellent pro-
gress ~
Meanwhile Mr.. Girard had not forgotten
him. He often saw the young man in his
overalls on the wharves at work, and he
always spoke encouragingly to him. He
had not made mp 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. must give
him helping hand" -
A few nights subsequently the good old
man was sleeping calmly in his humble.
looking department 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 siumber-
ed his countenance was calm, and without
the trace of single care. At times slight
smile fitted over his face, and he seemed
10 be in pleasant dream. His sumbers
continued for considerable time. when he
suddenly awoke He rubbed bis eyes and
then spoke
"Ah. hai' he said. 1--WE had dream
again about my young cooper. l thought
that I'd hear something about him again.
There Is good spirit looking after his
welfare, surely. when he finishes his
apprenticeship, and is a good cooper, give
him twenty thousand dollars to start in
business whispered the voice in my ear.
OF course will He il worthy OF en-
soungemnt The money will 60 into