Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-26
RICH ON $1.OO A DAY.
Massachusetts, Man Has Saved SIC, 900
ALI Credit to Wife,

ALI CreQ1t TO W1Ie.
NEW YORK, February 26-Working for
twenty-seven years for not more than 81
day, Octave Girard of Ware, Mass, has
accumulated 10000 and with his wife has
settled down to enjoy a respite from toll.
He is now nearly seventy-two years old,
but hopes to live many years to enjoy the
results of his industry says a special.
The accumulation of this little fortune
Is the more remarkable because he has
had no trade and no education, and to this
day cannot read or write.
He and his wife have successfully reared
thirteen children, of whom ten are now
living.
He says that he and his family have al
ways been we'll clothed and had plenty to
eat.
He adds that it is due to the thrift of his
wife rather than his own industry that
spending large sums for clothing for the
children, Mrs. Girard bought the raw wool,
washed it, carded it and spun 1t into sub
stantial cloth.
And all the time they put money in the
bank.
Mr. and Mrs. Girard both came from
Canada, and Mr.. Girard remarks that the
inspiration to save money came from his
observation Of the way the old folks We're
treated in Canada.
THE old folks seemed to be always in
the way" he says. mo matter how good
the children might be. their old parents
seemed hardly fair that young people
should be saddled with the care of their
parents. So 1 decided that I'd lay by my
savings SO that I might never be burden
to my children, IL happened to have any"
Mr.. Girard came to the United States
when he was sixteen years old, arriving
in Worcester with 10 cents in his pocket.
From there he walked sixteen miles to
Grafton, where he got a job with a shoe
maker. He did not make much Of a go
Of the shoemaking business, and after
several years went to New Bedford, where
he shipped on whaling vessel, the Jerry
Perry. He followed the sea for five years,
going almost around the world. All the
time he was saving money.
When his zeal for the sea had died out
he returned to Canada to marry his old
sweetheart, Miss Amanda Girouard. After
his marriage he began to save more sys-
tematically and to work more steadily.
He went to Ware and was employed as
a coachman at 81 day, and for twenty
seven years he continued in that position.
He would still be at work II the family who
employed him had not closed their house.
Mr.. and Mrs. Girard's system has been
not to increase their expenses no matter
what the increase in the cost of living.
They have steadily saved a certain amount
each day. and when their children began
to work and pay board, they saved still
larger amount. This was carefully sailed
down in the bank.
Only once did they attempt an invest
ment and it was good one. Mr.. Girard
bought a nice piece of property for $500
and sold 1t some time later SO to make
$780, Then he bought a better place for
less money than he paid for his first prop
erty.
Liquor has been pitfal that Mr. Girard
has always avoided, but he has smoked for
great many years, believing that tobacco
was beneficial to his health.
His pleasures have not been many
viewed from one standpoint, but he has
cared for little recreation except fishing
and shooting, and now that is forbidden
him, for, as an alien, he cannot fish or
hunt in Massachusetts, without paying q
license fee of SIS year.
Mr.. Girard lays down the following rules
for accommodating money:
STEADY work at low wages rather than
Intermittent work at large wages"
DO not increase your expenses as your
wages increase"
Marry young, and don't marry a doll
faced woman"
Let liquor alone"
Gown your own home"