Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1867-04-02
STOCK TRANSACTIONS.
(RIroRrrp DAILY N H. n. yLAoo. BAfkrAl
SAN FRAScIsco, April 2-lP. n.
SteMnrt,s Antecedents.

Stewards Antecodents.
A late sketch Of Alexander T. Stew
art contains some interesting anec-
dotes:
Accident made him a merchant.
Where he was to be in connection with
an experienced business man n 70
contribute capital he suddenly found
himself principal alone, charged with
the rent of a store, and with the whole
responsibility devolving on him. with
that indomitable will and wonderful en-
r which has marked his whole life
he at once went back to Ireland, con-
verified into money the moderate fortune
which he had inherited, invested that
fortune in GEOGRAPHICALLY the laces
which were manufactured at and around
his birthplace-and then returned to
New York and opened his store.
And in this connection may be men
toned an incident of touching interest
-one Of many showing, perhaps, some
what Of the Scottish blood in his veins,
which, if it rarely forgives an enemy,
it rarely forgets u friend. A young
lady whose acquaintahco he had made
said to him on the day preceding the
opening of his store: "You must not
sell anything on the morrow till come
and make the first purchase, for will
bring luck" True to her promise, she
drove up in her carriage early in the
day, and purchased goods to nearly $500
in value, principally Of Irish lacss.
Long years passed. the lady married and
removed with her husband to q Euro
pean city. Stewart was in that city on
business, and there learned that his
first customer was still living, but in
very reduced circumstances Her hus-
band was dead, but before his death
had squandered her fortune. Procur-
ing good apartments, he caused them to
be furnished in a style corresponding
with her former position in life. Then
calling upon her and renewing his nc
quaintance, and after conversing on old
times and former friends, asked her to
take a drive with him around the city
in his carriage, which stood at the door.
After looking at some object of interest,
he took her to the new residence, say
ing: "This, if it meets your approba-
ton, is your future home" He settled
an annuity upon her, and during the
residue Of her life she lived not only in
comfort, but in comparative afiuence,
supported entirely by his bounty. Truly,
if she brought luck the young merchant
that first mornings purchase was q
lucky one for her.
But there was another incident con-
nected with the sales Of merchandise on
that first day of far more importance in
its results, though apparently trifing in
its character. One Of the clerks stated
to a purchaser that a piece of calico was
of a certain quality, that the colors were
"fast" and would not wash out, and il
not so the article would be taken back
and the money returned. The remarks
were overheard by Stewart, and he call
cd the clerk to him and spoke with in.
dignation: "What do you mean by thus
saying what you know to be untrue?'
The clerk, perhaps astonished at thus
being called to account, replied that the
woman would not return the goods, and
if she did she could easily be put of by
stating that she must be mistaken, and
the purchase must have been made al
some other store. But no; that was not
the point. A lie had been told to in
ducc a purchase; and no goods must be
sold in his store or in his name under
any Misrepresentation whatever. The
clerk could conform to that rule or al
once vacate his place. This interview
between him and one of his first clerks
was narrated to the writer a few years
since, when in q familiar conversation
the direct question was asked: "To
what do you attribute your great sue
cess as q merchant" "That have
conducted my business from the first on
the basis of truth. Truth, TRUTH" he
added, with great emphasis, "is the tai
lismanic word and if have any one
earthly wish or desire greater than an
other, it is that in this respect my e1-
ample may be commended and followed
by young men entering into business,
and especially by young merchants"