Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-02-13
from the New York Nail.l
Lessons in Business.


princely fortune. No one would ask
whether Mr.. Stcwart's method Of business
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 lie adopted
two or three simple rules by which he pro-
posed to be guided. lie gave personal
attention to his business. lie asked fair
price for his goods, and persons could take
them or leave them. If he sold Il poor ar
ticlc to customer. he sold it as apoorar-
ticle. If he demanded frst-class price
for his goods, they were found to be first
class when the purchaser took them home.
He seldom lost customer, because the
article never differed from the representa-
tion. Since Mr.. Stewart opened his little
shop, thousands with capital have started
business with the motto, ".\ll is fair in
trade" Few Of these survive. Their
names as merchants have persisted from
among men; while Mr.. Stewart. without
capital and without friends. undcrpinniny
his trade with integrity, stands amongt the
foremost merchants of the world.
In this city there is a young banking
house which buys and sells stocks on com
mission. Several rules were adopted and
incorporated in the articles Of co-partncr-
ship. One was. never to carry stock for
any one without margin; another was,
never to speculate in stocks, but to do II
strictly legitimate commission business.
If that led to wealth. the. firm would ac-
ccpt it !; if il led elsewhere, they would
abide the issue. 4 celebrated Western
capitalist, whose name was power Of
strength, came into the Office. lie requcs-
ted the house to purchase for him large
amount of railroad stock. ''Do you wish
us to carry it!" said one of the partners.
Yes" was the reply. "Then you must
put upa margin" "A margin!" said the
millionaire, =" | am worth fifty times that
amount" Il have no doubt of it," was
the reply; we have but one rule 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 mes
scnScr came up aud put Oh deposit $50.
900. The next day the capitalist called
l
your rule. You have begun right. DO
business on that basis, and you will sue.
coed. You shall have my business, for my
money is safe here"
Mr.. Sturgis. the rich merchant who re-
Gently died. attributed his start in life to
attending church on Sunday in the city.
| When he was young, credit was almost in
IL lzA NJ Al
was at high premium. by some means
young Sturgis formed the acquaintance If
the late Robert Lcnnox. Pleased with the
intelligence and modcsty Of tho young
man. Mr.. Lcunox invited him to take
seat in his pew. The next day Sturgis
called on merchant in this city, and asked
him ifhc would trust him with a bill OF
goods The merchant looked ut him and
said: "Did you sit in Mr.. Lcnnox's pew
yesterday in church," "Yes," said the
young man. 81 will trust any one" said
tho merchant, "whom Mr.. Lcnnox will in.
vito into his pow on Sunday" 1t was n
small thing, but IL was test Of character
that could not be mistaken. Let man
throw away his tobacco, his stimulating
drinks. exercise proper. economy, and he
then makes an investment. however hum
bic his position is, that will be an advant-
age tohim financially, socially and morally.
One Of our most wealthy citizens is at tho
head ofone Of cur largest banks. He be.
gan llfo with nothing but good principles,
industry, and perseverance,. 10 aid a
friend he endorsed notes to the amount of
$4,000. He was called upon 10 pay them.
He had $4,000, all he possessed on earth.
The bark would have cheerfully taken
that sum and discharged him. It offered
him any accommodation by way Of renew
ais. He was youpg man. lie intended
to remain in New York and do business,
and he made up his, mind that, if he lost
bis mohey, he would not lose his reputa-
tlon. As the notes matured, he paid them.
When the last note was. paid, he was sup
posed 70 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
foundation for his great success. During
his long business career no note Of his has
over gone to protest.
The kind OF business a man adopts usu-
ally settles the question of his success.
If he has brains and pluck, is content to
wait, does we'll whatever he does, is not
afraid Of earning his money, makes himself
useful, SO that he cannot be dispensed
with, he will succeed. He may black
boots, pick rags. shovel coal, be a low por.
ter in a store if he has integrity, talent,
he will make his fortune. One Of the
richest men in New York began as por-
ter, and his former master is now book
keeper in his establishment. One of the
most eminent bank presidents in New York
to-day, came to this city .pennilcss boy.
DO You want boy, sir?" he said to a
gentleman: who stood in his store door.
"what can you do?" 'Anything, sir, to
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