Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-01-22
A WOMAN DRUMMER.
she ACHIEVED GREAT SUCCESS IN A
FIELD NEW TO HER SEX,

1hhn a DrhNuAuh.
The first woman TO become a commercial
drummer in England while in New York,
recently, was seen at her apartments by
reporter.
Mrs. Il. d. Sawkins, the drummer"
looked a good deal more like an elegant
Society woman" than what you might ex-
pect OF one who is strictly business She
IL tall and slender, with beautifully ar
ranged blond hair, clear blue eyes and
delicate complexion. A handsome black
silk gown trailed after her as she walked,
and her manners were pleasant, refined and
quite English, you know"
When a woman has been glitterinn sue
cess at anything, It is always interesting TO
other women 10 know how she did it,
"How did happen to become a COM
mercial drummer" said the lady. at was
this way. never could bear the round Of
visits and tea drinking that make up the
life OF so many women. | wanted to be in
busness--to be doing something OF some
account.
~ took position as bookkeeper with
wholesale firm Of manufacturing chemists
in London, and one day when one of the
commercial travellers, who was unreliable
was away and they needed some one TO
send ont, said to the head Of the firm:
"'You let me take up his business, and
see how | get on He looked at me in
amazement but think he saw was very
much in earnest; at any rate, lie concluded
TO let me try.
~ began by soliciting orders in the small
towns about London. Finally travelled
all over Europe as a representative of this
house. | came to the United States and
visited nearly all OF the large cities here ms
we'll. You see, am an American. l was
born in Halifax, though l lave lived
large portion of my time IN England and
Australia
II Travelled for this one firm for nine
years, Finally they wanted me to go TO
Australia TO establish branches OF the bust
ness in several OF the large cities there.
The head Of the firm went with me, and the
large stores now doing business in several
of the principal cities there are evidences Of
our success.
AFTER had been in Australia about six
months was married to Mr. George Saw
kins, the astronomer and newspaper man,
n native Of Sydney and grandson Of Thomas
Sawkins, who went out second in command
Of the coloniaing expedition under Sir Ed
ward Parry.
My husband wished me to leave the
business at once, but | was under contract
to the firm and obliged to remain with
them six months after was married
"Alr. Sawkins Is student and thinker,
and when lie decided to lecture ON 'Scien-
tihc Religion / determined to take the
management. There isn't particle Of
business about him; his mind is always ON
his studies, and us like business l turned
manager.
~ always went in advance of him, At.
tended TO tho distribution of circulars, the
placing Of his picture in the windows and
the advertising aud notices in the papers.
believed in advertising literally iu papers
and was invariably we'll treated by the
press. After had completed my circuit of
towns ahead, would 20 back and Join Mr.
Sawkins."
DO you think commercial travelling a
good field for womenW was asked,
~ think it is "a splendid thing for a wom-
an. II she is busineSslike, she is sure TO be
successful, Besides, she can do about four
times as much for an employer as can a
man A lady going into Il store and asking
to see the proprietor will stand five chances
TO amau's one OF seeing him. often was
admitted to the head Of the firm immedi-
ately while dozen men were waiting to
see him.
AEAl Ahnt u man - hlAtn AOlu 10 GAll
again, so you see the waste Of time he has,
compared TO woman. 1t certainly Is a
| much pleasauter and more healthful occu-
| patton than that which most women in
business have
81 always made IL point to travel first
class and stop at the best hotels. took a
sample room and arranged my wares as at
tractyely rs possible. As the firm were
manufacturing chemists had all sorts OF
cosmetics, perfumes and toilet articles for
ladies. These l would arrange as inviting
| ly as / could, taking care TO have pretty
spreads on the tables.
Before trying to see the proprietor OF
| any business house | would find out his
name, so that would know positively for
whom to inquire was careful TO be- al.
ways well drcssed-you know appearances
are great deal after all-and when once
gained admission to the gentleman j said
at once that represented such and such a
house and endeavored to make an appoint
ment with him to come and look at my
samples. never carried any samples with
me- because that looked too much like d
canyasser
If was careful TO make my appointments
so that no two probable customers would
como at the same time. When i got the
gentleman there and could give my entir,
time to him, always succeeded in getting
an order, often selling a lot Of goods h,
didn't want or had no intention at ilrst o.
buying Frequently my orders woult
amount to 1900 worth, sometimes 5000
You see, dealt only with wholesale meI
and never sold less than half a gross ofany
thing.
Hair dyes were some of the things | SOLE
the most. There was an enormous demanJ
for them IN England and Australia"
80 the women want TO look pretty ant
young over there just as mud as here!"
"oh, yes, indeed. also sold a good dea
In New York AT one time.
When MIR. Sawkins concluded TO com
to New York TO lecture, we broke up on
pretty home In Australia and took u sail
ing vessel, my husband, his valet, our It'll
son, my maid and myself. for this country
The captain had "A saloon fitted up for us
and we were fourteen weeks on the way
Such delightful voyage as IL wAsi
brought 800 chickens from my poultry yar
on the ship.
81 am now manager for my husband, ant
have already received good offer iron
a well known theatrical manager here q
attend TO his outside business. hut O
course could not accept, New York Re
eorder