The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-04-27
Anecdotes OF the Late A. T..
Stewart.

'h'Nh tbc iltlhot' tbbt
the merchant adopted, when carrying
on a small business, to increase the
number Of his customers. Mr.. Stewart
made inquiries among his friends, and
learned the name and residence of the
leader of fashionable society in the city
and also the church that she attended.
lie then sought out the sexton of the
church and leased a pew directly in
front OF that of the lady. Regularly
Sunday after Sunday thereafter he sat
in his seat and took part in the worship.
a few months passed, and one Sunday
as the congregation was about leaving
the church it suddenly began to rain.
The fashionable lady had Il carriage,
but the sidewalk between the church
door and the roadway was wide, and
she stopped irresolutely at the door up
on percciving the drops of rain, dread
ing injury to her costly dress. The fire.
quent mists and rain Of ireland had
caused Mr.. Stewart to form the habit
OF carrying an umbrella on all days of
the year, and he had one on this day.
Raising it, he told the lady he would
shelter her beneath it until she could
walk to her carriage, If she would ac-
cept the service. The proflcr was ac-
cepted, he took her to the carriage, and
was heartily thanked. The following
Sunday, after the service, she addressed
him and again thanked him for hi,
kindness. a short conversation fol-
lowed, and occasionally on Sundays
that succeeded, as they were coming
out of church, II few words passed be-
tween them. While talking with a
member of the church one day the lady
learned Mr.. Stewards occupation, and
the next time she met him said:
"Mr. Stewart, have you any article,
in your store that you think | would
like to buy?n
"No,." he replied; 81 don't think
have any thing"
81 would like to aid you in your bust.
ncHS III SoHlc way
"You can in this way: Ihavc noticed
that your coachman exercises youi
horses every day, and you not caring
always to take a ride, | presume til,
carriage is frequently empty. If IN III,
days when you do not wish to use the
carriage you will order Your coachmar
to take it to my store and remain in
front of the store for half IN hour, you
will do me II good turn"
The lady was amused by Mr.. Stew.
arts suggestion, and cheerfully granted
the request. The frequent appearance
Of the carriage in front Of the store, and
the ~presumptive presence of the fash.
ionable wner of it within the store,
was soon noticed by other women, and
Mr.. Stewards scheme was speedily sue,
cessful. Carriage after carriage stopped
before the store, and the stream oI
fashion was started that has since rur
ccaselessly in aud out its doors.
Personally Mr.. Stewart was a very
unassuming man. lie dressed plainl,
and with good taste, and never wore
rings or diamonds. The only costly
article he carried about was a gol,
watch, and this was not fastened to
chain, but to Il black silk cord. If h
saw one of his clerks displaying mucl
jewelry, this was considered sutlicien
cause by him to establish an inquir
into the habits of the man, the amour
Of his salary, and his mode of living
If his salary and circumstances did no
warrant such outlay Mr.. Stewart woul'
have Il watch set on his actions, andth
result in many cases proved that thu
clerk was dishonest. Many instance
could be rccounted in which he discov
cred dishonesty in his clerks by to,
great II display of jewelry IN their part
He was generally lenient with erin,
employees, and never prosecuted then
if there were any extenuating circum
stances. His observation was remark
ably keen, and he was quick to observ
the slightest irregularity 1.-THE arrange
ment of the different departments of tn,
store, or any slovenliness in the dres
of the clerks. If a clerk, on the othe
hand, was dressed too eXtravagantly
Mr.. Stewart ofteR took occasion TO otfe
a gentle rebuke. As an instance of thi
distaste for outward display, it may b'
mentioned that he vas walking througI
his retail store n day when II massiv
gold chain and locket in the button
hole of one of his clerks attracted his at
t%ention. He stepped up to him and said
"Young man, if | were you I'd buttol
up my coat on that" and, pointing
down to his own plain black silk watcl
cord, he added, "That is the best tina
| can afford to wear; take my advice
and keep that covered up!"
He had Il constant watchfulness owe
all the details of his business, and NOR
than one of his employees found himsel
watched when he least supposed it
ale never spoke to me but twice" on
of his old clerks relates. "Once | tor
a piece of wrapping paper roughl
across, and he came around and toll
me | should have folded it and mad
even edges. People, he said, 'didn'
like to get shiftless Shocking bundles,
Again, ] wound a bundle around wit
an extra turn of string, and before
could cut it he had the bundle out ,
my hand and unwound the unnccessar
turn. Never waste even q piece /,
! string he said; waste is alway
wrong"
Mr.. Stewart, in the selection of h
paintings, invariably chose those whic
united with Il large and prominent Il!
re,subject bright and striking color
At one time a few artists and priva'
friends met at his house to examine
new painting by Meissouier, which hi
just arrived, having been painted
: Mr.. Stewards order some time befor