business were utilized by the rich. A poor boy
had little chance of being other than a poor man. Not only was the
subject of this sketch born to poverty, but he also inherited a
deformity which made him the butt of ridicule among his vulgar
companions. His childhood was made up of neglect which developed a cold,
distant nature. He is generally described as a loveless old man, but his
biographers seem to forget the influences that surrounded his childhood.
Such were the opportunities enjoyed by Girard; such the chance offered
to him, but he held that a man's best capital was "industry," and this
seemed to have been his main idea to the last; as he willed but little
property to his relatives, and but little to any one individual.

He sailed as cabin boy at the age of twelve, and by following a line of
fidelity, industry and temperance, gained the esteem and confidence of
the captain who gradually learned to call him "My Stephen," and at his
death placed him in command of a small vessel. He became a resident of
Philadelphia, and owned a farm a short distance out of the city. When he
visited this farm he rode in an old gig drawn by a scrawny horse; when
he arrived he fell to work like any common hand, and labored as though
his very subsistence depended on it. This is an illustration showing the
secret of his success in life. He was familiar with every detail, in
every department of his business; no matter what part of his business he
went to oversee he was no novice.

With Stephen Girard nothing came by chance. He was a self-taught man,
having but little education so far as books go; but in the great school
of actual business he received a diploma, and to this was afterwards
added several complimentary degrees earned after his graduation. He
never ceased to be a progressive man. A large range of stores were for
sale in the city of Philadelphia at a great sacrifice; these Girard
would have been glad to buy but he lacked sufficient funds; seeing it
beyond his means to buy safely, he leased them for a term of years and
then sublet them at an immense profit.

How few young men have the necessary enterprise to gain for themselves
success. Girard had both enterprise and energy; it is not at all
surprising that he succeeded. And this was not all; of whatever he
undertook he had thoroughly mastered the details, hence was prepared for
success and made money; that money he saved. Ah! that is three-fourths
of the secret. Most young