Canada, and their results—Sets up in business for himself—The fur trade of North America—A survey of the field of Astor's operations—His capital—His tramps into the wilderness in search of furs—Predictions as to the future settlement of the country—His first consignment to England—His marriage—A good wife—Improvement in his prospects—Buys his first ship—The secret of his success—Close attention to business—His economical habits—His indorsement disputed by a bank clerk—Statements of the profits on furs—He engages in the Chinese trade—How the Government aided the early China traders—Amount made by Astor in his legitimate business—His real estate operations—His foresight and courage—How eight thousand dollars yielded eighty thousand—His real estate in the City of New York—Purchases the half of Putnam County—The Roger and Mary Morris estate controversy—Astor wins his suit, and makes half a million of dollars—Astor's scheme of colonization—A grand enterprise—Settlement of Astoria—Betrayed by his agents, and the scheme brought to failure—Astor withdraws from active business—His boyhood's vow and its fulfillment—Builds the Astor House—His voyage to Europe—The return—The troubles of a millionaire—The great man seasick—A curious draft—The last years of his life—His fondness for literary men—His death and burial—His will—Opposite views of his character—How his refusal to buy a chronometer cost him seventy thousand dollars—He remembers an old friend—His gift of a lease—His humor—"William has a rich father."

CHAPTER III.

ALEXANDER T. STEWART.

Birth and early life—Becomes his grandfather's ward—Designed for the ministry—A change in his plans—Comes to America—Teaches school in New York—Becomes a dry goods merchant—Receives a legacy—His first importation—How he began business—An energetic trader—His sample lots and their history—Success of his enterprise—He begins by encouraging honesty in trade—Wins a name for reliability—The system of selling at one price—Inaugurates the "selling off at cost" feature—His courage in business—How he raised the money to meet his note—Improvement in his business—He enlarges his store—As an inducement to the ladies, employs for clerks handsome young men—The crisis of 1837—Stewart comes out of it a rich man—How he did so—Builds his lower store—Predictions of failure—The result—Compels the Government to purchase goods from him—His foresight and liberality—Charged with superstition—Lucky and unlucky persons—Story of the old apple woman—Remarks at the opening of the St. Nicholas Hotel—Reasons of Stewart's success—A hard worker—How he receives visitors—Running the gauntlet—How he gets rid of troublesome persons—Estimate of Mr. Stewart's real estate in New York—His new residence—His benevolence—Aid for Ireland, and free passages to America—Home for women—Political sentiments—Mr. Stewart's appointment as Secretary of the Treasury—Feeling of the country—The retail store of A.T. Stewart & Co.—A palace of glass and iron—Internal arrangements—The managers and salesmen—List of sales—Wages given—Visitors—The principal salesroom—The parcel department—The wagons and stables—Extravagant purchases—Mr. Stewart's supervision of the upper store—The system of buying—The foreign agencies—Statement of the duties paid each day—Personal appearance of Mr. Stewart.

CHAPTER IV.

AMOS LAWRENCE.

The Lawrence family—A poor boy—Early education—Delicate health—Obtains a situation at Dunstable—Returns to Groton—Becomes Mr. Brazer's apprentice—The variety store—An amateur doctor—Importance of Groton in "old times"—Responsibility of young Lawrence—Is put in charge of the business—High character—Drunkenness the curse of New England—Lawrence resolves to abstain from liquors and tobacco—His self-command—Completes his apprenticeship—Visits Boston—An unexpected offer—Enters into business in Boston—Is offered a partnership, but declines it—His sagacity justified—Begins business for himself—Commercial importance of Boston—Aid from his father—A narrow escape—lesson for life—Amos Lawrence's method of doing business—-An example for young men—His business habits—He leaves nothing unfinished over Sunday—Avoids speculation—His views upon the subject—Introduces double entry in book-keeping into Boston—His liberality to his debtors—Does not allow his business to master him—Property gained by some kinds of sacrifices not worth having—Forms a partnership with his brother Abbott—Business of the firm—They engage in manufactures—Safe business principles—A noble letter—Political opinions—His charities—Statement of his donations—Requests that no public acknowledgment of his gifts be made—Character as a merchant and a man—Advice to his son—His religious character—Loss of his health—His patience and resignation—The model American merchant.

CHAPTER V.

ANDREW V. STOUT.

Early struggles—Acquires an education—Undertakes the support of his family—The boy teacher—Hard work—Is made instructor of Latin—A trying position—How he conquered his difficulties—Is made principal of a public school—His first business ventures—Engages in the building of houses—His platform of integrity—His success—A great mistake—He indorses a note—The consequence of a false step—Liberal action of the bank—Mr. Stout resolves to accept no accommodation—Pays the notes, and loses twenty-three thousand dollars—Establishes himself as a wholesale boot and shoe dealer—Enters the dry goods trade—Close attention to business—His system and its success—Organization of the Shoe and Leather Bank of New York—Mr. Stout is made Vice President, and subsequently President—Character as a citizen—Is made City Chamberlain—Generosity to the police force—Interest in church affairs—Kindness to the poor—Encouragement which his career affords others.

CHAPTER VI.

JONAS CHICKERING.

The largest building in the United States—The Chickering piano factory—Birth of Jonas Chickering—Early love of music—Is apprenticed to a cabinet-maker—Is employed to repair a piano—Succeeds in the undertaking—Consequence of this success—Becomes a piano-maker—Removes to Boston—Is employed as a journeyman—The labor of his life—His patience and skill—Is known as the best workman in the establishment—History of the piano—Chickering's first discovery—His hope of success based on intelligence—Becomes a master of the theory of sound—His studies and their result—Makes an improvement in the framing of pianos—Invents the circular scale for square pianos—Generously makes his invention free—A noble gift to the world—His business operations—Increase in the demand for his instruments—Death of Captain Mackay—Mr. Chickering undertakes the sole charge of his affairs—Fears of his friends—Magnitude of the business—The lawyer's question answered—The mortgages paid—Rapid success of Mr. Chickering—His