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THE FEENCH BLOOD IN AMEEICA 



Eccentric 

 but Just 



Respect for 

 True Piety 



A Quaker's 

 Method of 

 Getting a 

 Subscription 



generations feed, clothe and educate the humble and 

 homeless. Eich as he was, his tastes were of the sim- 

 plest. Indeed, he lived in obscurity, in a small house on 

 an unattractive side street, and it is said his personal ex- 

 penses were not so great as those of his clerks. His 

 breakfast and supper usually consisted of biscuits and 

 milk, while for dinner he occasionally allowed himself a 

 little meat. 



His eccentricities were many, and the stories told of 

 him well illustrate this side of his character. We give 

 two or three which are thoroughly characteristic. He 

 was not in the habit of giving promiscuously, and 

 seldom, if ever, gave to beggars. A very poor man once 

 knocked at his door, begging for bread to save his wife 

 and children from starvation. Girard di'ove him roughly 

 away, but secretly followed him home, and, finding that 

 he had spoken the truth, ordered the baker to leave four 

 loaves a day at the house until the man procured work 

 enough to support his family. 



He had the greatest contempt for any one who professed 

 religion and did not practice it, but respected the mau of 

 religion who was honest and straightforward in his deal- 

 ings. One of the few men that he trusted implicitly 

 was a Mr. Inglis, an expert accountant, and a man of 

 sincere religious opinions. Eecogniziug his value and 

 his honesty, Girard offered him the position of cashier in 

 his bank, which was refused. "You and I serve differ- 

 ent masters, Mr. Girard, and could never agree." His 

 views were respected and nothing further was said on the 

 subject. 



To get a subscription from Stephen Girard was not an 

 easy matter. It required tact and the right introduction 

 and many failed while a few succeeded. It is told that 

 Samuel Coates, a genial Quaker, was one of the few men 

 who knew how to approach the eccentric millionaire. 

 He was a manager of the Pennsylvania Hospital, and 

 called on Girard for the purpose of raising money for the 



