fortune
variously estimated at from thirty to fifty millions of dollars, and
which is growing larger every year. The greater portion of his wealth is
invested in real estate. He owns his two stores, the Metropolitan Hotel,
and the Globe Theatre, on Broadway, and nearly all of Bleecker street
from Broadway to Depau Row, several churches, and other valuable
property. He owns more real estate than any man in America except
William B. Astor, and is the most successful merchant in the world. He
has acquired all this by his own unaided efforts, and without ever
tarnishing his good name by one single dishonest act. Any man may be
proud of such a record.

Mr. Stewart is one of the hardest workers in his vast establishment.
Though he has partners to assist him, he keeps the whole of his extensive
operations well in hand, and is really the directing power of them. He
goes to his business between nine and ten in the morning, and works until
five, and is never absent from his post unless compelled to be away.

His time is valuable, and he is not willing to waste it; therefore access
to him is difficult. Many persons endeavor to see him merely to gratify
their impertinent curiosity, and others wish to "interview" him for
purposes which 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 it is to inquire the
business of visitors. If the visitor replies that his business is
private, he is told that Mr. Stewart has no private business. If he
states his business to the satisfaction of the "sentinel," 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 cannot 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 an interview
is denied him. If admitted, the interview 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 conversation, or indulges in complimentary phrases,
after his business is arranged, Mr. Stewart's manner instantly becomes
cold and repelling, and troublesome persons are not unfrequently given a
hint to leave the room. T