The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-30
stephen GIrard,s VIII.

In q recent lecture before the Mercan-
tile Library Association OF Boston, DIR.
Cornell gave the following interesting
account OF the opening Of Stephen
Girard,s will:
The old man lay dead in his house in
Water street. While the public out Of
doors were curious enough to learn
what he had done with his money there
was smaller number within the
house, the kindred Of the deceased, in
whom the curiosity ragged like o mania.
They invaded the cellars Of tho house,
and, bringing up bottles OF tho old
mans choice wines, kept up continual
carousal. Surrounding Mr.. Duane, who
had been present at Mr., Girard's death
and remained TO direct his funeral, they
demanded 10 knowif there was o will.
To silence their indecent clamor he
told them there was and that he was
one Of the executors. On hearing this
their desire to learn It's contents rose to
fury. In vain the executors reminded
them that decency required that the
will should not be opened till after the
funeral. They even threatened legal
proceedings IL the will was not immedi.
ately produced. and at length, to avoid
public scandal, the executors con-
sented TO have It read. These affec-
tionate relatives being assembled in o
parlor Of the house in which the body
L Of their beneiactor lay, the will was
taken from the iron safe by one of the
executors.
When he opened IL and was about TO
read he chnnced TO look over the top oi
the document OF the company before
him. No artist that ever held q brush
cduld depict the passion OF curiosity,
tie frenzy Of expectation, expressed IN
that group Of pallid faces. Every indi.
vidual among them expected TO leave
the apartment the conscious poSsessol
Of millions, for no one had dreamed oi
his leaving the bulk OF his estate TO the
public. II they had ever heard Of his
saying that no one should be o gentle
man on his money, they had forgotten
or disbelieyed 1t. The opening para.
graphs OF the will oil tended 10 confirm
their hopes, since the bequeststo exist
ing institutions were Of small amount.
But tho reader soon reached the part oi
the will which assigned 10 ladies' and
gentlemen present such triding sums
as 5000, $4,000, $4,000; and he
arrived ere long at the sections which
disposed Of millions for the benefit oi
great cities and poor children. Some
| Of them made not the slightest attempt
to conceal their disappointment and
disgust. Men were there who had mar
ried with n wow to share the wealth ol
Gifard, and had been waiting years for
his death. Women were there who had
looked 10 that event as the beginning
Of their enjoyment Of life.
The imagination Of tho reader mus
supply the details Of a scene which We
might think dishonored human nature,
II we could believe human nature was
meant to be subjected TO such strain.
II had been better, perhaps, II the rich
man in his own lifetime, had made his
kindred partake Of his superabundance,
especially as hehad nothing else tha'
he could share with them. They at
tempted, on grounds that seemed ut
terly frivolous, To break the will, ant
employed the most eminent counsel !,
conduct their cause, but without Of
feet. They did, however, succeed II
getting the property acquired after tn
execution OF the will, which Girard
disregarding the opinion OF Mr., Duane
attempted by a postscript 10 include il
the will. ait will not stand, " said thl
lawyer. ayes it will,p said Girard
Mr.. Duane, knowing his man, wa
silent and the courts have since dc
cided that his opinion was correct.