The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1868-10-30
THE JOURNAL.
IEssONs IN RTs7NESS.
Hdsr some iFe, Y5sh ngsp IFaLlT a.

living - -
IFrom the New York MALL
Mt A. 7. Stewart is conceded to b,
one Of our successful merchants. From
the smallest beginnings, he has amassed
pripeely fortunes No one, would ash
whether Nh. Stswart's method Of busi
ness was wise one. The secret of his
success lies on the surface. In his little
store on Broadway, opposite his marble
palace, Mr.. Stewart began his trade.
he adopted two or three simple rules
by7H hieh he pF0pOsea-to be- guided.
He gave personal attention to his busi-
ness. He asked fair price for his
goods and persons could take them or
leave them. If he sold poor article
to customer he sold it as a poor
article. aH he demRndedoa first class
price for his goods, they we're found 10
be first class when the purchaser took
them home. lie selaomS iestAa Gus.
TONER because the article never differed
from the representation. Since Mr..
SteFsN opened Bis latIs sliop thou
sands Withesapita have stalted basi-
ness with the motto, " All is fair in
trade" Few of these survive. Their
very names as merchants have perished
from among men; while Mr.. Stewart,
without capital and WITHOUT friends,
underpinuins bis trade vah ibtegrity,
stands among the foremost merchants
of the world.
In this city there is a young bank
ing house which buys and sells stocks
on commission. Several rules were
adopted aud incorporated in the articles
of co-partnership. One was, never to
carry stock for any one without
margin; another was, never to specu-
late 10 stocks, busto do strictly legiti-
mate comnHssiOnt business3 TIflbatled
to wesltb, the firm would aecepfit; If
it led elsewhere, they would abide the
issue. A celebrated Western capitalist,
whose name was a tower of strength,
came into the Office, HE requested the
house -. purchase 3or bin a large
amoHbt of railroad stock. ado you
wish US to carry itw said one of the
partners. "Kss twas the reply HThen
you must putap a margin ~ "a mar
gin" said the millionaire, 81 am worth
fifty times that amounta eIshave no
doubtofi Twas the reply; "we have
but onerule in this-office for both rich
and poor. We would not carry stock
in this Office for Mr.. Astor without
margin" The capitalist went out as if
offended. The firm felt that they had
lost good customer. Soon a messen-
ger came up and put on deposit $50, ,O0o.
The next day the capitalist called in
person. He said: Young men 1 like
your rule. You have begun right
Do business % thatlbssis, and you wilt
succeed. You shall have my business
for my money is safe heTe.p tr-=z
Mr.. Sturgis, the rich merchant who
recently died, attributed his start in life
to attending church on Sunday in the
city. When he was young. credit was
almost indispensable to business. Mer-
camille honor vas at a high pfemium.
By some means young Sturgis formed
the acquaintance of the late Robert
Lennox. Pleased with the intelligence
and modesty. of the young man; Mr..
Lennox invited him tc take seat IN
his pew. The next day Sturgis called
on a.merchsnt in this city, and asked
him If be would trust bin with a bill
Of goods. The merchant looked at
him and said: @Did you sit in Mr..
Lenuox's pew yesterday in church 7"
"Yes," said the young man. 81 will
trust any one" said the merchant,
"whonl Mr.. Lennox will invite into his
pew on Sunday" It was a small
thing, but it was a test of character
that could not be mistaken. Let q
man throw away his tobacco, his stinu-
lating drinks, exercise proper economy,
and he then can make an investment
however humble his position is, that
will be an advantage to him financially, |
socially and morally.
One of our most wealthy citizens is
at the head of one of our largest |
banks. He began life with nothing |
but good principles, industry, and |
perseverance,. To aid friend be en-
dorsed notes to the amount of $4,000. |
He was called upon to pay them. He
had $4,000, all be possessed on earth.
The bank would have cheerfully taken
that sum and discharged him. It offer
ed him any accommodation by way of
renewals. He was a young man.
He intended to remain In New York
and do business, and be made up his
mind, if be lost his money he would
not lcse his reputation. As the notes
matured, he paid them. When the
last note was paid he was supposed to
be very wealthy, as he kept his own
counsels. He could command any
amount of money that he wanted,
The resolution to pay the notes, though
he had derived no benefit from them |
laid the foundatian for his great sue
cess. During his long business career
no note of his has ever gone to protest
The kind of business a man adopts
usually settles the question of his sue
cess. If he has brains and pluck, is
content to wait, does well whatever
he does, is not afraid Of earning his
money, makes himself useful, so that
he cannot be dispensed with, he will
succeed. He T may black boots, pick |
rags. shovel coal, be low porter 30 q
store. If he has integrity, talent, he
will make his fortune One of the
richest men in New York began as
a porter, and his former master is now
a book-keeper in his establishment
One of the most eminent bank presi-
dents in New York to-day, came to
this city penniless boy. -
"Do you want boy, sirl" he said
to a gentleman who stood in his store
door. "What do you do 2" "Any-
thing, sir, to make an honest living"
''Take those boots down satirs, where
you will find some backing and black
them" The lad soon returned with
the boots in high state Of polish:
''You have done those boots WELL"
said the merchant ''My mother told
me to do every thing we'll, sir that /
undertook to do" was the reply. |