New-York tribune., 1876-04-22
ALEXANDER r. STEWART.


neasant afternoon in the year 1869. The YoTb;
Herald had obtained from his architcct-SomeWhat TO
the annoyance Of Mr. Stewar-the general plan OF tne
building on Fourth-ave, between Thrty-tmrd ana
1hrty-fourth-sts and wanted to obtain the material
for an illustrated article for ApDletonS Journal WIN
which was then connected Calling at his upper store
had my first lesson as the dignity that doth hedge an
American Prince in the unqualified opinion OF nan
dozen clerks near the door, that could not speak to MI
Stewart at all Walking up Of the streets Of tDe
storefOr IL is always Kind OF town to me- saw hiD
taki.g with a lady. and while | waited, couid nor
help hearing in his distinct tones the statement
10 her. 90 would not like 10 put son ID
mine I'm the Custom-hOuse for the temptations
there are too great" seeing while could not heu
her words that she wanted him to give the precious com
incubation with all risks. When he ended the intorVlew
rs saw he so perfectly knew how to dO long Deoe shS
had intended 1t end my slight bow attracted his atte
ton Instantly, and his kindly Do you WISH 10 speak 10
me- Sir 2" told him my business in half dozen words
with the explanation that messenger sent 10 MS arc
tect had obtained 10 Information.
lie said would have wished, before the publicity
OF The Herald article that the matter had been LEFT 10
speak for itself desire little notoroty ~ u s posi-
bic TO make of the erection Of large building The
excavations for foundation Ony begun aud 1t VIII be
called an advertisement. while do not so intend It,.
answered that 1T pot something done by Alr'
Stewart but prominent city building, that wished
To write about it, aud promptly gave permission To
send an artist TO his architect with authority TO make
reductions OF any drawing or plan Ths next day. MT
Henry Diffcnderfer, deceased, but then III tHe
confidence Of Mr. Stewart called upon ne ana gave me
TIE permission OF his chief to call again for any addto
Information and told of Mr.. stewards desire to soc
tie proof OF my intended article Mr. Difcnderer was
correspond asnt of The Home journal and other literary
papers and IL him that first learned no" both
himself and SIR Stewart turned to the classics ior rest
and relaxation after labor, for which few living men
have the capacity.
When the eugravers were ready for their part OF the
work went to Mr stewart for material for an article
having made An appointment through Mr. Difeuderer-
and then LEARNED lesson in business punctuality IL
WAS at tle time when the acceptance o. the ohce o.
Treasurer OF the United States hung on the construction
of tho statute regarding the exclusion Of importers IRON
that Office; and. gave my card at the once ID tno
Chambersst. store, the gentle an who took charge o.
me sad will show you mp, hut you may have to walt
IA an important committee from Washington is now IN
the store" II lacked minutes OF my hour ana sF'
Stewart was the store. The members Of congress
had comfortable seats and seemed easy about their first
night 20 tho ear OF the king.
Just minute before my tme Mr. Stewart passed up
TO his private olico and messenger came ont
for mo In mode-ty offered 70 postpone the hearing oi
nv little matter but be said, never miss business
engagement on any account" and had my full hour
emf think woud nave bad It II the President had come
He examined the reductions OF the drawing, with as keen
an cyo proportion tho architect could baVe DONE
and at once began 10 give the dimensions of the
rooms kitchens dining sTOoms proposed lecture nall anh
to explain how each Of the proposed 1900 inmates Of
this lreat hoto for women could have her own ROOM
save in the contemplated Of sisters or friends des
ing double bed took MY tablets to note his state
mruts and he paused. with An amused twinkle III MS
eyes, and said. Can't yOu remember without nofssf
| said replacing the tablets, 81 have examined Wit
nesses in for several days and made my speech
viii wifi otg
mako many mistakes OF memory now"
lie seemed pleased, and made tho remarkable state
eut thai used written ads 10 his memory III Keep
Ing p with tn. detail, Of his m lcnse Ousness ana ssh
that h6 bad never forgotten an appointment seemingly
70 prove this stItemou which incredible 10 mo at
,r he began "A conversation about the business men Of
the CITY Of Augusta Georgia, where had once edited
daily paper. ia ten minutes he satisfied mo that ho
could have written fair biographical sketch OF the
business hfo OF prominent merchant IN that CITY
while I'm regard To fact. their beginning in business
changes of as,ocAtions and rus standing in character
apd wealth he knew flr more than did. Then he half
sp,lo. for knowing much by saying that before
the war It was 10 section selling exports 10 the
amount Of $l93OO),OOD a yoar. and not To MS
oSn section OF the country with only S33,-
OJD.OOO or to spare, that he had sold his
Eigh-priced and most precious stufs, ON when
his fortune hal been built. This gave me much de
sired opportunity TO pat question as to tha golden Sc
crst by which ne had done IL AL VITA laugh sad que
ton As 10 whether at all Interested III the tIad'
which might have contained lurking sarcasm Oh the
presumed 0.y 10 DO he had done II onco given the
sccrot. he gayo It TO me lie said;
"I began with theory vhich was not so much mat
ter ~ principle and morality Of expediency. had
seen 40 mush OF lack OF common honesty in common
business that concluded that hHiag The truth would
pay salesman would warrant pieoo Of prints land
observed that ho used the English term. snd not The
American 'caco bo it appeared, and not merely
H,tf. Tlp itp,sil lytfl "A a
homc L. the tGb 1t put in grow white with tn
starch ana "a over the fasehood Of sOrekHepcrs.
six would 10 sold pure, to an inexperienced buyer
and tho lneu back bc pointed out by friend hanncl
would be sold al WOOL at near the prco OF cotton
a, to please purchaser, uu revealed the cot
ton in il. damaged place would be gathered in the
hand, Of tho in showing the drlped cnoct ana
the customer b. fatty disputed returning IL OF want
lng hs reduction bargain lot would bi held 1t fuii
rAi. prices and tie benefit OF the margin not made
gratuity o tho customer. In brief saw tIat adyer-
.lng was success and that the best possible advoFt5c-
meut was TO have zach customer say to all acquant-
anees: 1 was politely treated by that young man
st,,vart and | got good worth o. my money BY
that means I was able TO compete with the class OF
merchants who did not profess to want money, but
would wait the time OF the customer That WAS false
policy ia them for the goods far nearer the worth
Of their when aud desired than when worn ont
and wcaricd Of Bat the cardinal principle was to make
a pleased and moving advertiser OF every person who
bought from my shelves 1t is astonishing how many
people pleased lady Will tell Of and exhibit to, one
really good dress"
Ny after pleasant interviews with him were due en-
tirey to The fact that did not say word about his
beneyoloncc, his likeness to Peabody Or Howard In
what wrote-which was not about him. but about his
now building. 1t may bo well to giyo a single expana
tioa OF why 80 vast aud uObe a structure remained
long unfinished and unused. II begun in days OF
plenty of work for all the willing aud ho discovered that
the pride and independence OF the very class OF young
women intended to be benefited made it doubtful II