The line "...he glittered when he walked" suggests the perspective that the common people think of Richard Cory as an almost celestial being—certainly, one much above them in social position.
Just as people nowadays speak of great athletes, famous actors and actresses, and others who are above the norm as "stars," the people who suffer during the Panic of 1893, a serious economic depression, perceive Richard Cory as a being who is untouched by the vicissitudes of their lives.
Of course, the irony in this poem is that although Richard Cory is wealthy and does not have to go "without the meat," the "people on the pavement" (the ordinary people) feel intimidated by his high station and, therefore no one engages with him or even considers why he comes to town and speaks to people. In reality, Richard Cory, "who is always human when he talked," would probably like to have some interaction with people. So, in his terrible loneliness, Richard Cory despairs and puts a bullet into his head.
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