Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-08-08
Ghildren's department.
TIE DREAM OF GIRARD.

Steven Cilrard was one OF Inc most remark
able men who ever lived. Philadelphia, the
city where he amassed his great fortune in
business, was the recipient of his muni6cent
bounty at his death, and his name and mem.
ory are well preserved in the Girard College
Girard Row, Girard Avenue, Girard Bank
Girard Insurance Company, Girard House
&C. At Girard College,, where the support
and education of some FIVE hundred orphan
and half orphan boys are provided for, there
is marble statue of Mr.. Girard, which rep
reseuts him with exact fidelity to his appear
ance in life. He was of short stature, be.
nevclent smile, and had shrewd face. He
wore large peculiar coat, and his hair was
tied in cue. His whole life was marked
with eccentricities, which, in no particular,
were more observable than in his occasional
acts of benevolence. .ayl.-
In his Office was young man as clerk, who
attended to his duties very intelligently and
faithfully. This had attracted the attention
of Mr.. Girard, for nothing escaped him.
One morning he came into the Office, and,
calling the clerk, remarked:
"Young man, I dreamed about you last
night"
"Dreamed of me !" returned the clerk, in
surprise.
Eyes; I saw form and heard a 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 frst-rate
cooper never 60 contrary to my dreams.
They often tell me how to- proceed. l trust
them as do my own judgment, and obey
them conscientiously. Go and get place to
learn the trade Of a cooper, and when you can
make barrel, come and see me again"
The clerk was, Of course, greatly aston
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 af
fairs at the Office, and in few days engaged
with Mr.. Girard's cooper to learn the trade
During 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
over alls 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 we'll. He is a
man, every inch Of him. I must give him a
helping hand"
A few nights subsequently, the good old
man was sleeping calmly in his humble look
ing apartment. His real wealth did not
show itself in anything about him. The fur
niture was old-fashioned, and the surround
ings were strictly after the plain taste of the
owner As he slumbered, his countenance
was calm, and without the trace of single
care. At times slight smile fitted over his
face, and he seemed to be in pleasant dream.
His slumbers continued for a considerable
| time, when he suddenly awoke. He rubbed
his eyes and then spoke:
"Ah, ha p he said, "Pve had dream again
about my young cooper. I thought that I
would hear something about him again.
There is good spirit looking after his vel
fare, surely. when he finishes his appren-
ticeship, and is a good cooper, give him twen-
ty thousand dollars to start in business,
whispered the voice in my ear. Of course I
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 1 have plan for thai"
Soon the old man dropped into slumber
again. He had the same calm countenance,
and the samo serene smile. His life was de-
void of all 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, and he looked healthful
and sinewy from manual labor.
"Good day, Mr.. Girard," he said, as the
old gentleman turned to him with warm
greeting. II have come to tell you that I
am good cooper now. I have served my
entire time"
"Can you make good barrel"
GAS good as any cooper in Philadelphia" :"
"Make me twenty, and bring them here
yourself"
The young man went off, and in an hour was
hard at work at the barrels. He was really
superior workman, and when the twenty
barrels were completed, they were the admi-
ration of all in the shop. When they had
been placed in Mr.. Girards store, he examined
every one with the closest scrutiny. He
looked at the slaves, the hoops, the heads, the
shape, the cutting, and the driving, and in
the end remarked to the young cooper, who
was anxiously awaiting 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 I'll now do mine"
The couple went into the Office. The old
mans face beamed with pleasure and salts
faction, and the young mans was flushed and
pale by turns, from the peculiar circumstan-
ces of the moment. Mr.. Girard took down
his check book and wrote check. This ne
cut out and then, turning to the young man,
he said:
"My young man, listen to me. Your iidel-
ity, promptness, and energy early attracted
my attention. Then 1 had a dream about
you, mentioned to you long time ago.
You acted with alacrity upon the suggestion
made in consequence of that dream, and to-
day you stand before me skilled in a trade.
1 have dreamed of You in the meantime. A
good spirit whispered into my ear to give you
twenty thousand dollars. You have made
for me twenty superior barrels, for which I
will now pay you one thousand dollars each,
making twenty thousand dollars in all"
Mr.. Girard at this juncture placed in the
hand of the agitated young man the check he
had prepared.
"Now," he continued, "you have a capital
to commence business as a merchant, if you
see fit. Should disaster overtake you, 60 to
your trade again"
The young man broke forth in torrent Of
thanks, but Mr.. Girard abruptly stopped him,
saying:
"You lose interest on your money while
| VOL talk have fnl6lled nv dreams and