The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-03-16
A Generous Action.


A Generous Action.
The truly polite person will endeavor
to place every one around him at ease,
even though it involves little sacrifice of
self on his part. A pretty story, illustra-
tive Of this principle, is told of gentle
man, who, some years ago, was honored
by the chief Office in his State, and who
equally honored her in the fulflment of
his duties. He was one evening ready to
descend into the drawing room at very
stylish reception; a member from very
rural district, who evidently had seen
nothing Of what we call society" APP
preached him. He was surprised to see
all the gentlemen putting on gloves,
knowing no reason for wearing them in
a warm room, and said to the gentleman
at his side, III guess won 60 down, as
1 haven't any gloves, and everybody else
has them on" "Oh," replied the noble
hearted man, with smile, "you needn't
mind that. You must certainly go down
Gloves are a small matter, any way"
But, seeing that the country member still
looked uneasily at his hard red hands, he
kindly added, ''I'll take off my gloves, and
then there will be two without them"
He drew them off, and put them in his
pocket; and he and the country member
went down to the drawing room together,
equally at their ease, no doubt. The
governor lost nothing in the opinion of
any one; but the shy member was saved
painful modification, and gained by
this true courtesy a word Of useful conf
dence which helped him to feeling of
comfortable independence in after years.
He could always do what noble govern
or did, 1t was very little deed, you
say, not worth recording; but the man
who does small acts of kind courtesy and
condescension is the one who, from the
same motives, makes great sacrifices for
his friends and his country. He who Is
truly polite will endeavor to make all
around him comfortable and happy.
A STORY OF STEPHEN GIRARD.-The
Rev. ]. Mcleod, Philadelphia clergy
man, in recent lecture to apprentices
and boys in stores, gave some interesting
"reminiscences of Stephen Girard, whom"
said he, ~ knew when boy. He usually
walked stoop-shouldered, with his hands
crossed in front, was of middle size and
rather stout. You will see a very good
likeness of him at Wanamaker's, Sixth
and Market streets. The artist has got
the expression exactly. There is only
one thing l would criticise about the
painting. l never saw him with so fine
q coat on as the picture represents. He
always discounted small notes; helped
men who were in business in small way.
He was always ready to help mechanic
or honest man, though perhaps with an
eye to business and in a safe way. The
Bank of North America and others were
jealous of him; so they said, We will not
discount his notes. Girard was informed
Of it, and, of course, was angry, so he told
the cashier whenever he got note OF the
Bank of North America to lay it aside.
This was done, until after while one day
he sent a notary over with notes of the
Bank Of North America to the amount Of
$250,OOO, with request that the amount
be paid in gold and silver. There was
CONSERVATION in the Bank, and Girard
was sent for and reiterated his demand,
when the banks were glad to comprO-
mise, and after that were ready to take
his notes."
THE LOCUsTs. = Rev. DIR. Lorimer
writes from Colorado: Returning one
morning from q ride, we discovered that
vast armies of this pest were on their way
from the mountains. During the day
their numbers increased, and soon their
ravages told Of the extent of the vista
ton. We had heard many marvellous
stories about them, and conseq uently We
were painfully interested in their ap-
proach. As we saw them they filled the
air as far AZ the eye could range, even -
vast snow-storm would. They dark
ened the ground on which their shadow
was cast by the sun. In few hours all
the gardens were ruined. Not . young,
fresh, green thing did they spare. Men
who had toiled all the season to produce
little garden stuff were obliged to see
their ali utterly destroyed. 1t was in
deed painful to witness their distress.
One man svowed his purpose to leave at
once such miserable country; another
impationtly exclaimed "that he should
Judge, when this part of the world was
made, God must have been resting. and
. journeymaa angel have had charge Of
the job"
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