One of the principal reasons of his success is the rigid system with which he conducts his business.  He has a place for every thing, and a time for every duty, and requires the same regularity from his subordinates.  His salesmen and managers are thoroughly versed in their duties, and the more important of them are selected with great care.  Every thing works smoothly under the master’s eye, and there is a penalty for each and every delinquency, which is rigidly exacted.

Mr. Stewart is one of the hardest workers in his establishment.  His partners relieve him of the details, but the general management of his immense business he trusts to no other hands.  His eye is on every thing.  He is familiar with every detail, though he does not take upon himself its direction.  He goes to his business between nine and ten in the morning, stopping first at his upper store.  He makes a brief but thorough inspection here, and learns the general progress of the day, and then repairs to his lower or wholesale store, where he remains during business hours, and returns home between five and six in the afternoon, stopping again at the upper store.  He works hard, and is never absent from his post unless detained by sickness.

His time is valuable, and he is not willing to waste it.

Many persons endeavor to see him merely to gratify their impertinent curiosity, and others wish to intrude upon him for purposes which would simply consume his time.  To protect himself, he has been compelled to resort to the following expedient:  A gentleman is kept on guard near the main door of the store, whose duty is to inquire the business of visitors.  If the visitor wishes to see Mr. Stewart, the “sentinel” informs him that he must first state his business to him.  If the visitor urges that it is private, he is told that Mr. Stewart has no private business.  If his errand meets the approval of the gentleman on guard, he is allowed to go up stairs, where he is met by the confidential agent of the great merchant, to whom he must repeat the object of his visit.  If this gentleman is satisfied, or can not get rid of the visitor, he enters the private office of his employer and lays the case before him.  If the business of the visitor is urgent he is admitted, otherwise, he is refused an interview.  If admitted, the conference is brief and to the point.  There is no time lost.  Matters are dispatched with a method and promptitude which astonish strangers.  If the visitor attempts to draw the merchant into a friendly conversation, or indulges in useless complimentary phrases, after the matter on which he came is settled, Mr. Stewart’s manner instantly becomes cold and repelling, and troublesome persons are sometimes given a hint which hastens their departure.  This is his working time, and it is precious to him.  He can not afford to waste it upon idlers.  In social life he is said to be exceedingly affable.