He was a splendid salesman, a perfect gentleman toward customers, and
people preferred trading with him rather than any clerk in his employ.
His tastes were very simple, and he was always plainly dressed. It has
been stated that Mr. Stewart never posed for a photograph, which is a
significant fact of itself. His motto was, "Never spend a dollar unless
there is a prospect of legitimate gain." He arose early in the morning,
went to his "up-town" store, and thoroughly inspected everything; then
to his "down-town" store where he attended to his business at that end
of the line.

At the breaking out of the Civil War he aided the Union cause very much.
Being in sympathy with the principles of the Republican party, and
holding a powerful influence over the commercial world, the President,
Mr. Grant, nominated him Secretary of the Treasury, and he was at once
confirmed by the Senate; but as there is a law prohibiting any merchant
in the importing business from holding this position, he was objected to
by opposing politicians; and, although he offered to donate the entire
profits of his business to the poor of the city of New York, they still
objected, and he was obliged to resign. By this, the country was
undoubtedly robbed of the services of a man capable of making one of the
best officers for that position our country has ever known. However, it
was right that it should be so; it would have been very unwise to have
established such a precedent.

In some respects, Mr. Stewart was a very liberal man, although it has
been stated otherwise. In his will is his desire to do good especially
manifested. Arrangements were made for the building of a church and
parsonage, and a school for the benefit of poor boys who desired to fit
themselves for a professional life.

Some people may be fortunate in one instance in their life. We do not
wholly disregard the idea of circumstances, but we do claim and try to
prove that it is not the _one instance_ in the life after all. When we
consider a whole life's history, we are convinced every time that
generally where one is seemingly very fortunate, it is the result of
careful calculation and down-right hard work. Bad luck is the natural
result of carelessness in business matters. Had A. T. Stewart waited for
a lucky chance to come to him, he might--probably never would have
realized that splendid success that did attend his efforts. Here he came
to this country at the age of sixteen. He did