The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-09-12

ever, shall ever hold, or exercise, any
station or duty whatever 10 the said COL
ege nor shall any such person ever be
admitted for any purpose, or as visitor
within the premises appropriated to the
purposes of said college" Notwithstand.
ing this stringent paragraph in the will,
| understand that gentlemen Of the cloth
occasionally pass in and out At the
south entrance of the grounds is a circular
office, through which all must pass to the
grounds in the Office on desk, is large
book of registration in which each peiso
is required to enter his name, and resi-
deuce, the "prefx of Rev. is not found
in said book however. | think tho inev.
table white cravat on such occasions is
dispensed with.
In speaking of the grounds and build
ing 1 might have added that the whole
estate, with its splendid gardens, walks,
and capacious play grounds, is surround
cd with stone wall, ten feet high, more
than mile and a quarter long and six.
teen inches in thickness. On the second
floor adjoining the spacious vestibule can
be seen through a semi-glass door in
large room, the furniture Mr.. Girard used
at the time of his death, consisting Of
de-boards, bureaus, tables, stands, chairs,
bedsteads. mirrors, oil paintings, and
other articles that do not now occur to
my mind, likewise the big chaise ho was
wont to ride in. about town, reminding
one in its general contour, of the one in
which the venerable "Parson Merrill"
was accustomed to ride about your town,
and which was occasionally seen in the
town of my former residence.
A few recorded incidents in the life Of
Mr.. Girard may not be uninterestiDg.
He was born in Bordeaux France, in
1850. Early in life he commenced a
seafaring life. His frst voyage was made
to San Domingo. Settled in Philadelphia
in 1774. Soon engaged in the shipping
and mercantile business. and rapidly
amassed princely fortune. In July
1893 the yellow fever broke out with
great virulence in the neighborhood oil
his residence IN Water Street, between
Arch and Race streets 1t is said Mr.
Girard was untring in his personal efforts
to re eieve the dreadful suffering around
him, remaining at his post until the pes.
thence abated, while most OF the popula.
tion fled that were not attacked. The
accounts published at that day, state tina,
many died in the streets uncared for
One sixth Of the population were swept
away. The city was small then, compar
ed with its present proportions.
1t is related that the benevolent Samue
Coates, one of tho directors Of the
Pennsylvania Hospital met Mr.
Girard on the street and told him tina,
the hospital wanted funds, and he wa,
about to ask him for a donation. Well
said Mr.. Girard, call at my counting
house in the morning and if you find me
on right footing will do something fol
, the institution. Mr.. Coates called a,
agreed and was invited to take somt
breakfast (for Mr. Girard resided most o
his time over his counting house) aitei
which Mr.. Coates observed, snow We will
proceed to business. Well. what hav,
, you come for, Samuel ?" ANY thing thee
pleases Stephen" replied Mr.. Coates. Oul
hero then signed and presented CHECK
for 5000, which Mr.. Coates put in hi
, pocket without examining. What" saic
Girard in his broken English, "you nc
look at the check | gave you p "No, beg
gars, must not be choosers, Stephen
f "Hand me back the check again l CAV,
you" demanded Girard. Mono, Stephen
bird In the hand is worth two in tn,
, BUSH" "By George!" exclaimed Girard
"you have caught mo on the right foot
, ing" He then drew check for $500, ,ant
; presented it to Mr.. Coates, saying, evil
you now look at it? ?" "Wel Stephen t,
please thee, L will" said Mr.. Coates. "Nov
give me back the first check" demanded
Girard, and Mr.. Coates Immediately
complied with his request.
At another time when the Baptis
, church was building in SAMSON stree
DR.. Staughton called upon Mr.. Girart
for aid towards its erection. Girard wa
cold and formal and without saying
word presented check for $500. which
; Staughton received with astonishmen
: saying. be expected one thousand at least
4 "Ah let me see the check perhaps
have made one mistake" said the French
: man. Staughton returned the documen
+. which Girard Immediately destroyed say
ing at the same time. "Well, Mr.. Staugh
ton if you will not have what give,
will give nothing" Tho Rev. DR.. left
wiser man.
Again he gave five hundred dollars t.
! the Episcopal Methodists to build churcl
: on Tenth street. This building was after
wards changed to the Gothic style, ant
sold to the Episcopplians who now occup.
= it under the name fSt. Stephens church
A deputatiou from the new adherent
called on Mr.. Grard. They expatiateo
on their proposed beautiful edifce, an'
confidently expected large donation OIL
account of the grandeur Of their plans a
compared with those Of the former owner.
Mr. Glrard listened in silence and callin,
for his check book filed up the blank 70
five hundred dollars, they were for mo
: mcnt struck dumb with astonishmen
e when their spokesman said, you gave tiv
hundred dollars to the poor Methodists
, you have surely omitted cypher. "Ah
gentlemen, what you say ?" IL have mad
one mistake let me see--I believe not
but if you say SO, must correct it," up
: on which he destroyed the check, sayinl
: II will not contribute one cent your so
ciety is wealthy, the Methodists are poor
+, but 1 make no distinction, yet l canno
please you," he then waited moment a
if in meditation and then said "you re
mind me Of the rich man in the gospel
: profit by his fate gentlemen-I Civ
, nothing to your magnificent church"
! At another time lad, neighbor o
Mr.. Girard, asked his advice as to wha
: occupation or business to pursue. Mr.