New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-25
STEPHEN GIRARDS OLD SERVANT
From The Philadelphia Record.

N''SN'N
Pegging away at pair of shoes IN little base
ment shop on Tenth-st., above Girard-aye., q re-
porter of The Record yesterday found an aged snoe
maker A little tin sign at the head OF his steps
bore the name of C. Simpson," Mr.. Simpson is a
mulatto. whose age corresponds with that of this
century-eighty years.
When was lust past twenty-seven and working
ON plantation down in Maryland" he SAID, " the
place where was born, an acquaintance told me he
could get me a place with wealthy gentleman IN
who was ,o4f inst sDted ip me them
and got my freedom with some money had lad
up for that purpose, and came on here: lie engaged
me for three months, at the expiration or when
time left him, because he didn't offer 10 raise my
wages, which thought should be more than what
he was tendern 10 me. ,r,
Stephen got bruised up very bad by an accident III
the street. Everybody knows how stubborn the
ole man was. In 1923, as he was going along
Narket-street FROM his house to the bank, wagon
came along just as he was goin 10 cross. lie
wouldn't give way for the wagon and the wagon
right along, just as though he didn't see Girard
who slung ont his right arm as quick as though ne
was a heavin' boot at one OF his help and slapped
the off-horse whack IN the face. Inc animals
veered around in consequence, and the pole OF the
wagon caught him over the head, knocking him
down. He didn't say word, but Just laid there
while the team ran over him, cutting Nun up nor
rby They took him home and laid him up In bed
but there was nobody could attend to INN 10 suit
him: so he sent for Inc again. and we got along
first-Tatc When he got well he raised my wages
With tinge of pride In his tone and emphasizing
Charlie " continued: was the only servant
that ever ef him. he told me himself. except in
anger and the only one that ever came back
him was up. | saw he did not want me to leave
him. and made up my mind | was worth more
money was always Wlthln See,d' or 2. ifa st.
collect conversation overheard when they didn't
know was about and attendin' to my duty. Dr.
Clark says to Girard
Stephen, do you know that Cna4es Is gong W
:" Mf. stephen SAID In his quick sharp way oh,
my good GOd-Charles going TO leave mel what
"'Heis going to work at his trade with Mr.. Enoch
Middleton. where he can earn more money than you
oh. my good God! Mr.. Girard repeated, in his
curious way; ] guess l have got as much money as
Mr. Middleton has
And the next time saw him told him wanted
more money
80 How much did you want he asked.
40 told him $500 year was about proper.
"'Oh, my good God he said, DO you know how
much that Is a month Charles =
" He thought didn't know, but did. and told
him it was $50 month.
80 That's too much he said. What is the least
Il thought S24O year was as low as could go.
"'Al right he says; you shall have 1t; But
don't You tell any of the other servants what have
done. or they Will all want their pay raised
mir. Stephen was more fond of me after that than
ever. | would tell him sometimes that had been
saving up and wanted to go buy suit OF clothes.
lie would always say: Save your money, Charles,
save your money. Your clothes are good enough
and the next day would find an old suit OF his IN
my ROOM They were generally very good ones and
! had the honor of being the only servant he ever
gave his clothes TO. .
About the kindcst thing he ever did for Inc, "
and here the old face kindled up, was to transact
some business for when | wanted TO buy
my wife free. Another time he cured the
rheumatics for me. l was subject to them,
and the first time | was tackled he had doc
tor for me. but the second time when | wasn't
able to walk around. lie dOctored me himself In a
way of his own He filled tub with rock salt and
cold water and made me hold my legln IT, Does that
take the pain out Z he would say. 1t was so fear
full cold that in n little while 1t took all the feeling
out OF my leg altogether but OF course would tell
him that 1t was much better. When had stood IT
long rs could he called for three yards OF flannel
which ho stripped up and wrapped my leg in. Then
he told me to walk. | said couldn't. He then told
me TO try 1t and go down in the kitchen. got up.
and sure enough, could walk Ii hurt me at first,
bur when got down stairs my leg well. When
he was sick myself and his graDdniece were the only
ones he would allow in his room. was at his bed
side when lie died"