New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-05-19

III. oGA@J hO AcIo IIle Joy,
And will repay me well.
THE LITTLE CANDLE MAKER.
Charles E. Whitney in New Orleans Times
Democrat.
II one follows the stream of early
'worshipers that pours out of the old
st. Louis Cathedral after low mass,
he will notice that the greater number
pass down the alley on the north side
,of the edifce and distribute themselves
up and down the Rue Royal. just be-
low this, Rue St. Anne crosses the
more busy thoroughfare, and is but
q stones throw from the cathedral
The immediate neigdborhood there
:abouts has an air of sanctity and &C.
sclesiastical quiet about it that is due,
perhaps, to the close proximity of the
great parish church. Show windows
are brilliant with gilt crucifxes, altar
candlesticks, communion wreaths and
ornate rosaries; and as temptations
to the eye of youthful lovers, little
blue velvet prayer-books look coyly
out from hiding places on their shelves,
inviting the devout gallant to make
the heart OF his belle hutter by such a
present. Artificial flowers in great
clusters bloom in handsome Sevres
vases, and near them tasty biscuit
vessels for holy water fill up thegarni-
ture Of the store windows. Here one
could, in tact, furnish all the altar
paraphernalia for either a grand
cathedral or modest private chapel,
and when high mass is sung in the old
building so close at hand, it is not
difficult to imagine each window an
altar and unseen acolytes swinging
their incense holders as the rich organ
zones fill the lutte side streets.
Around the corner from Royal
street, on St. Anne for many years
stood a one-story house fronting inn
mediately on the street. The Years
had evidently some ill-will toward it,
Tor the weather boards seemed more
sdilapidated, the chimney more totter-
ing, and the green messy heritage on
the roof more grasping in it's clutches
on the shingle roof than any there
abouts. just before the fire OF a few
years ago it was what would be called
q "tumble-down affair." but in 1851
st had somewhat more presentable
appearance. This was perha ps due to
the neatness and taste OF that dapper
little old maid, Mile. Pierrette, who
occupied the premises, rather than to
its architectural qualities. Every
spring she had the outside regularly
white-washed, and the heavy shutters
given q glossy green that quite renew
ed the youth OF the old building. Like
the larger stores around the corner,
her front room had caught the ecclesi-
astical spirit, and in two large, upright
glass case hung in long rows, the re-
suits OF the energetic maiden's handi-
work.
Not even modest sign or other no.
ftice gave testimony to the world OF
the articles to be found on sale within,
but all the Creole population knew
the place. Every year, just before
the time when the little ones take
their first communion, the store
would be crowded with children, Sc
lecting their tall wax candles for the
interesting ceremony. Mile. ..Pierette
commenced the manufacture OF altar
: candles. so it was reported, away
back in the days of Gen. jackson. In
fact some OF the envious shopkeepers
{ over the way intimated that she had
: made the wax lights for the marriage
of some of the old Spanish hidalgoes
when they occupied Louisiana, but
these sarcastic remarks were due, per-
Eaps, to jealousy OF the little lady's
thriving trade.
No matter Wong ago it was when
she commenced the business, it is
nevertheless true that for delicacy of
taper, grace of characterization, and
purity of wax, there was no commun-
ion candles in New Orleans that could
compare with hers. Even the tinsel
paper with which she adorned them
had chic about it no one else could
copy, and the tall ones, measuring
Ilcafly i've i0eC, were IQdiVelS u Cn6
candle makers art.
ut was q source OF much satisfaction
TO her, on great church occasions, to
stand far back in the cathedral, near
the vestibule, and looking over the
heads Of the kneeling congregation,
gaze with pride on the hundreds of
soft lights, all from her hand, that
shed their mellow radiance on altar
and picture. She had never been
aSnoWn to miss a mass, not even dur
ing the cholera time of l847, and her
reputation as devotee was not less
than her renown as candle maker.
Except in the shop she was neven seen
elsewhere than in the cathedral, and
the sweet faced Mad donna looking down
from the pew could hardly be said to
tbe oftener seen than Mile. Pierrette.
IT, II,
Way back in the twenties a young
lady Of remarkable beauty produced
quite stir in New Orleans society by
her varied accomplishments and rare
50, al