Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-09-29

Anecdotes OF Glrard.

The benevolent Samuel Coates. one
of the directors Of the Pennsylvania
hospital, met Mr.. Girard on the street,
and told him the hospital wanted funds,
anl was about 10 ASK him for dOna-
uon.
well" said Mr.. Girarl, "eall at
my counting, house in the morning, and
il YOU tind me on a right footing | will
do something for the institution.
Mr.. Coates called. as agreed, anl was
invited to take some breakfast for Mr..
Girard resided most Of hs time over
his counting. housel. after which Mr..
Coates observed
Nov we will proceed to business
"Well. what have yon come for SAM
uel ?"
Whatever thee pleases, stephen" "
Girard then signed and presented a
check for $500, which Mr.. Coates put
in his pocket without examining.
what " said Girarl, in his broken
English, "you no look at the check |
gave you
NO beggars must not be ehoosers,
Stephen"
"Hand me back the check gave
you. said Girard.
"No, no, Stephen /; bird in the hand
is worth two in the bush.
"By George! exclaimed Giard.
"you have caught NE ON the right
footing"
He then drew check for $500, aud
presennnM il to Mr.. Coates, saying,
"Will y6h now look at il ?"
"Well. u please thee, Stephen, j
viii, " said Coetes.
"Now, give me back the first check, :"
demanded Girard, and Coates immedi.
ately complied with the request.
1t is customary to relate the above
anecdote with the amounts in thousands;
but a-eful examination of Mr. Girard's
books and papers warrants the above
figures. Mr.. Girard was so constantly
giving, that he rarely made donations
in thousands, Had he done so. greater
fortune than his would have been i'm
paired, and the thousands of orphans
who have become useful citizens through
his bounty would have been friendless.
When the Baptist church was building
in SAMSON street, Philadelphia, DIR.
Staughton called on Mr.. Girard for aid
toward its erection. Girard was cold
and formal, and without saving word.
presented a check for $500. which Staugh-
ton received with astonishment, saying
that he had expected 81 600 at least
" All, let me soc the check perhaps ]
have made one mistake, said the French
man. Staughton returned the docu-
ment, which Girard Immediately de-
stroyed, saying at the same time, ''Well,
Mr.. Staughton, il you viii not take
what | viii give, viii give nothing.
The Doctor left wiser man, but carried
his heart in his throat GirArd never
went 10 church, and as he regarded no
sect more than another, he gave to all
alike. for he believed that the building
Of churches should be encouraged be-
cause they improved the city and in
creased the value of property. He gave
$500 to the Episcopal Methodists to
build their church on Tenth street, in
the same city. TLis building was after
wards changed TO the Gothic style and
sold 10 the Episcopalians, who now
occupy il under the name Of ST. Steph-
ems Church.
A deputation from the new ndherents
called on Mr.. Girard. They expected n
large donation on account OF the gran
deur of their plans as compared with
those Of the former owners. They ex-
plated upon their proposed new edifice,
but Mr.. Girard listened in silence, and.
calling for his check-book. filled up the
blank for five hundred dollars. They
we're for a moment struck dumb with
surprise, when their spokesman said
"You gave five hundred dollars TO the
poor Methodists you have surely omit
ted a cypher.
"Ah gentlemen" said Girard. ''what
you say? have made one mistake
let me see-I believe not but il you
say SO, must correct it."
Upon which he destroyed the check,
saying
"I Will not contribute one cent. Your
society is wealthy-the Methodists are
poor but | make no distinction, vet /
cannot please you" He then waited n
moment, as If IN meditation, and then
proceeded You remind me Of the
rich man in the Gospel. He would not
be content with the blessings which at
tended his agricultural tolls, but was so
coyetous that when his granary would
not hold his abundant crops he erected
new buildings for that pupsse rather
than distribute his surplus among the
poor. Profit by his fate, gen
tlemep-I viii give nothing to your
church"