Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-01-11
A Dream OF stephen Girard and its
Consequences.

I
fortune in business, was the recipient of
his munifcent bounty at his death. and
bis name and memory are well preser-
we'd 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 five hundred or
phan and half orphan boys are provided
for, there is marble statue of Mr.. Gil
rard, which represents him with exact
fidelity TO his appearance in life. He
was of short stature a benevolent smile,
and shrewd face. He wore a large
peculiar coat, and his hair Was tied up in
a queue. His whole life was marked
by the sccentrcties which in no particu
lar were more Observable than 10 his occa
siona acts of beUevoence.
In his office was a young no an as
clerk, who attended to bis dutie very
inteligentIy and faithfully. Thi is bad
attracted the attention of Mr.. Girard, for
nothing escaped him. One morning he
came into the office, and calling the
clerk, remarked:
Young man, l dreamed about you
last night
Dreamed of met returned the clerk
in surprise.
Yes; saw q form and heard a voice.
The form was your own, and the voice
said: This man is your best clerk, but
he should be a cooper. Merchants fail,
coopers are always sure of living by
their trade So you must leave me aud
learn to be a firsI-rate cooper. | never
90 contrary to my dreams. trust in
them as do in my own judgment, aud
| obey them conscientiously Go and
get place and learn the trade of coop
err, and when ,ou &c. SO you can make
barrel, come and see me again.
The clerk was, of course, grea " rs
tonished. But be had no fear of toll.
aud he knew that he would lose moth
ing, ID any event, by falling in with the
direction Of Mr.. Glrard. Accordingly
he settled up his affairs 10 the office and
in few days engaged with Mr.. Grrard's
cooper, to learn the trade. During a
long period he kept steadily at work and
made excellent progress.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Girard had not for
gotten him. lie had often seen the
Young man in his overalls on the wharyes
at work, and he always spoke encour
agingly to him. He had not made up
bis 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 RS he came from the
wharf. he muttered:
MY young cooper is doing well. He
is man every inch OF him. | must
give him helping band
A few nights subsequently tLe good
old man was sleeping calmly in his hum
BILE looking apartment. His real wealth
did not show Itself in anything about
him. The furniture was old fashioned.
and the surroundings we're strictly after
the plain taste of the owner. As Ia
,lumbered his countenance was withou,
the tracs of single care. At times
smile fitted over bis face, and he seemed
to be in a pleasant dream. His Stun
bers continued for a considerable time,
when he suddenly awoke. He rubbed
his eyes and then spoke:
'Ah, ahr be said. I've had dream
again about my young cooper. / thought
Id hear something about him again.
There is good spirit looking after his
welfare surely. When he finishes bis
apprenticeship, and is good cooper, III
give him twenty thousand dollars to
start him in business, whispered the
voice in my ear. Of course / will. He
is worthy of encouragement. The mon
ey will 60 into good hands. OF course
will give it to HIM, but in my own
way Ha. ha. I've plan for that
Soon the old man dropped into sIum-
Der again. He had the same calm
countenance and the same serene smile
His life was devoid of ali evil, and his
dreams were full 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 mechanic, aud he
looked healthy and sinewy form man
ual labor.
Good day, Mr.. Girard,' he said, ms
the old gentleman turned to him with
warm greeting. Il have come to tell
you that am a good cooper now; |
have served nv entire time.
Can you make a good barrel!
As good as any cooper in Phlladel
phia.'
Make me twenty aud bring them
here YOURSELF
The young man went eff, and in an
hour was hard at work ut the barres.-
He was really a superior workman, and
when the twenty barrels were completed
they were the admiration of all the shop.
When they had been placed in Mr. Gi
rad s store he examined them all with the
closest scrutiny. He looked q; the slaves
the hoops and the heads, the shape the
cutting, and the driving, and 10 the end
remarked TO the young cooper, who was
anxiouslv waiting for a verdict
They are good barrels. | never saw
better, You have learned yonr trade,
and done your part well. Come into
the counting room. and III de mine
The couple wen: into the Office. The
old mans face beaming with pleasure
aud satisfaction, and the young man was
pale and flushed by turns from the pc.
cuIiar circumstances of the moment Mr..