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Chapter XI

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Flowers Plucked from the Hedges...

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CHAPTER XII

PARTNERS, ADIEU!

My partner was a wonderful man of business in many respects, for his years, and if he had had money back of him, and not been afraid of Tarboro people, he might have made a success of his venture, but the outlook made him shaky and nervous. Things were not as he had calculated, the castles had begun to fall, the dreams to fade, and he had no money to keep the enterprise going, so he wanted to get out of it and dissolve the partnership. He said if he couldn't get out of it any other way, he would play, the "Baby Act", as he was not of age when he made the contract. It was then that I learned, for the first time, that the contract of partnership that Col. Fuller wrote for me was not worth the paper it was written on. I wired to him at Raleigh: "The contract you gave me has been decided worthless. If you are willing to protect its validity, come on first train; if not, I am ruined." As he was absent, the message was repeated to New Bern, and his answer came: "I expect to return to Raleigh tomorrow", and I saw at a glance where I was "at".

I found that the one clause I had inserted in the second contract was all that saved my Trademark, and stood between me and ruin. The Company was then indebted to my partner, as he had already spent more money than was stipulated in the contract, and it was, of course, charged against the Company. I put my case in the hands of Judge Howard and Mr. Jos. Martin, and well and faithfully did they protect my cause.

I told my partner that in my first dissolution I had been left high and dry without a dollar and I did not intend to be set adrift in the same manner a second time. I was willing to dissolve the Partnership, but he would not only have to give back to me his half-interest in my Trademark, but, for the inconvenience to which he had subjected me, he would have to make an assignment to me of the stock on hand, which would give me a start elsewhere, as I could not afford to leave stock of my Remedy, in other hands, behind me.

On these terms and none other would I agree to dissolve. In the light of everything that stood between us, my partner knew it was the best thing he could do, and on those terms we dissolved.

In April 1886, I shook Tarboro dust from my feet, and sufficiently amused with Partners and Partnerships, I moved to my adopted home

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in Kittrell, where I have since prosecuted my business in peace.

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Men have long since ceased to fight me, because they know they cannot hurt me, and besides, my boys are grown and brave, and my Remedy is now established on a pedestal none can shake.

When I first went forward into the world, fifteen years ago, woman had not advanced to the front, as at the present day. It was then something new to see a woman, and a Southern woman at that, doing man's work. I suppose it did look strange to see a woman on the street posting bills and pasting up advertisements, but I hardly saw, and cared not for, the gaze of the curious. I only saw the little hands extended to me for aid. I only knew I stood a bulwark between them, and privation, and dependence.

In the fall of '84 my home and all I had was sold for the face of the mortgage. It took everything to liquidate the debts.

My three eldest children were independent and self-supporting, but I was left with six children totally dependent on me for food, clothing, education, everything--the youngest six years old, then little stairsteps, up.

My children are now grown and mostly self-supporting. My youngest boy and the last I have to educate is at College, and the lines are easier to me now. I have cared for them well, have clothed them well, and educated them well, so that they can take the stand in life they are entitled to. Seven of my children are now living, and they are prosperous and succeeding in life. I have five sons and not a dissipated or immoral one among them. Is not that a rich reward?

I have been spared to see my children grown and my happiness within them is complete. I have lived to enjoy the fruit of my labor, and the reward is worthy of the work. I have borne the cross, and I daily wear the crown. At a recent visit of the Bishop, four of my children were confirmed in the Church I love. My mantle must, ere many more years, fall upon my beloved boy, Rufus, who is well worthy to wear it. For years he has stood by my side and worked with me, and when I have crossed the River, he will take my place, and continue the good work.

I am often asked if I am not a woman's rights "man", and I emphatically answer Yes - a staunch believer in her "right" to earn

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her living, and be respected for it; in her ''right'' to defend herself from the assaults of men, when assailed.

I had to go. What else could I do? I could not beg and to steal I was ashamed. I could not keep house, for I had no house to keep. I could not stay at home, for I had none.

No, I have always felt I was doing the work my Father intended I should do. He gave it to me as a talent, and then made it a necessity that I should go and use it. He opened the avenue and showed me the way.

Believe me, no woman will voluntarily go out in the world among men, to do man's work. When you see one there pause, ere you condemn or smile.

There is a Power behind you cannot see, a mountain of Love you can know nothing of.

THE END.

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