He had been pointed out as a very successful and well-known man about town.

Hurstwood looked the part, for, besides being slightly under forty, he had a good, stout constitution, an active manner, and a solid, substantial air, which was composed in part of his fine clothes, his clean linen, his jewels, and, above all, his own sense of his importance.

Drouet immediately conceived a notion of him as being some one worth knowing, and was glad not only to meet him, but to visit the Adams Street bar thereafter whenever he wanted a drink or a cigar.
Hurstwood was an interesting character after his kind.

He was shrewd and clever in many little things, and capable of creating a good impression.
His managerial position was fairly important--a kind of stewardship which was imposing, but lacked financial control.

He had risen by perseverance and industry, through long years of service, from the position of barkeeper in a commonplace saloon to his present altitude.
He had a little office in the place, set off in polished cherry and grill-work, where he kept, in a roll-top desk, the rather simple accounts of the place--supplies ordered and needed.