The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-12-23
The Art of Painting Backed" Eyes,

OF all the odd occupations of this
metropolis, probably the oldest is that of
a genius who advertises to "paint black
eyes and bruised noses so as to defy de-
lection" His place is on Center street,
and his sign-board is read daily by thou
sands who ride up and down in the
Fourth venue cars, but many of whom
doubtless regard it as a joke. But it is the
most serious thing imaginable and the
party is occasionally overrun with work.
This locality, however, is on the edge of
the slums of New York, and his customers
are among the plug-uglies and lower
classes, who get into a row and come out
with a blackened eye. Those who are
politicians las most of them are) wish to
be %presentable the next day; o off they
go to this painter chap, who, with the
skill of an artist, proceeds to paint over
with f1%esh-colors the darkened hues. This
interesting business is not confined to one
locality nor to one individual. A we'll
known portrait painter, whose studio is
not far from the National Academy
building, has, contrary to his own wishes,
found himself occupied quite extensively
the past year in covering up with flesh.
colored paint the black and klue spots on
the human face divine. He recently in.
formed me that the first case he had came
from a volunteer offer ON his part to paint
over a bruised place upon the eye of a
friend. He succeeded so well that soon
after another case offered; and still later
it became noised around among actresses
and actors that he was an adept in cover,
ing blotches. Now, strange as it may
seem, there are thousands in this city who
think it a very smart trick to follow in the
wake of the theatrical p~rofession-to imi.
tate or ape actors and actresses-as wit
ness the efforts of leading modistes to be
known as the proteges of popular fashion,
able theaters. The business grew, unit
my artist friend assured me that hardly a
day passes that he is not called upon tc
exercise his skill in this peculiar line.
One day, quite early in the morning, his
door-bell rang and the servant announced
a yelled lady. She was ushGred into the
studio, revealed herself as a prominent
actress, and her eye was a frightful cast
of black and blue. My friend never in,
quired any particulars; but the woman
began to talk about it herself and say
that the night before she had been mos
shamefully abused by a person for whom
she had great respect, and now she was
anxious to hide the mark of the fray, as
she had to appear at rehearsal before
eleven O'Clock. The task was speedily
accomplished and the woman left the
studio delighted with the artists success
Before she had been gone a half-hour an
other visitor came-this time a man. He
was recognized by the artist, and began tc
tell a tale of his woes in an encounter the
night before with an infatuated, Jealous
woman. There was such a coincidence
in the particulars related by the two Wis
itors that the artist casually asked if the
assailant was a certain actress. The man
replied it was, but wondered how the in,
quircr knew her name. Nothing more
was said on the subject, but in less than q
week the artist saw both parties roll up
Fifth avenue in a carriage together, and
in less than a month they emarried--
NeD York Cor. Chicago Tribune.