Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-19
A Woman of Pluck.

From the Nelo Orleans Tines Democrat
Down on Chartres street there is a flourish
ing factory, running an engine OF eighteen
horse power and employing thirty-1ve men,
women and boys. that has been established,
built up, and is now under the sole direction
and supervision of n clever, pluckv woman,
Ten years a0o this lady's husband died, leav.
Ing her utterly unprovided for, with large
family Of children TO support. In just such
desperate circumstances has many a mother
had to face the world, but there are few. I'M
fortunately. who have the energetic determi-
nation of thislittle widow.
Her husband had been boxmaker, en-
ploying a number OF Northern bands, from
whom his wife had learned every depart
ment of the trade, little guessing when she
sat up at night to help the girls out in the
work given them by the piece that this same
knowledge would one dav stand in such good
stead. But so 1t was. for after failure in
business and a long illness the husba nd died,
leaving deDt instead of money to his family .
something had to be done, she says, and
that done quickly, for there was not money
enough ahead to paw even the SO rent for the
attic In which they lived. A brave heart and
high coura fe that refused TO be uaunte d
helped her to decide on turning her knowl-
edge Of boxmaking to practical account, and
way upstairs in the fat-roofed. crowded
garnet she began her work, making herself
every variety OF paper box the market de-
mands.
TONERS, dru9gists, shoe shops, millners. every
business house that used large quantities of
these packing cases. soliciting patronage and
meeting with marked success, being another
grateful woman to testify to the universal
courtesy. kindness and good will hew Orleans
people show to the working class. so many
orders did she receive that in a few months
she was able to double the space occupied and
descend one story. Another year went by
and the trade having grown to large and
nourishing proportions, warranting another
increase, the third floor was added, and this
factory was no longer an experiment, but an
establishment OF reputation.
The successful manager travelled for her
house. getting orders from all parts OF Louisi-
ana, and going on drumming tours through
Texas that always resulted in large Increase
OF patrons, A fact OF which she seemed to be
most proud was that when she once secured
customers they were hers always. Two
large houses she mentioned here In the city
that had frs given her work, had never wa
vered; she made hundreds OF boxes for them
to-day.
Three years past, and at last the cautious
head saw her business guaranteed, adding he
fourth and ground floor to the three others,
now too crowded. Then the EXPOSITION
came, with it's countless engines for ali man
ner of work, and one was found that would
very nearly double the capacity OF her
factory. She bought 1t, had IL
placed, and then felt the battle had been
fought, good fight won; for, thanks TO her
own unfaltering courage and the help OF kind
friends, she was mistress OF an establishment
of which many men would be prJud. To-day
there 10 no box. from the small, dark blue
sample box that fastens win an elastic to the
large dry goods packing case, that cam It be
made by her wnrkman. Every VArie Is To
be reen. heaped and stacked on all de :.
Hundreds OF yellow. patent medicine covers,
tall pyrami1s Of round and square milliners'
boxes, fancy cases for candy, and big green
drawers that hold notions on shop shelf, all
can be made by her employees, most OF them
having grown up in the business
HE-what! Miss Percy. do again find you
listening TO what the cad sea waves are say
ing2
She-YeA I fancy annetimas that thnv at