Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-12-23
The Art of Painting Blacked' Eyes.

OF all the odd occupations of this
metropolis, probably the Oldest is that OF
a genius who advertises to "paint black
ewes anG 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 avenue cars, but many of whom
doubtless regard it as joke. But it is the
most serious thing imaginable and the
party is occasionally overrun with work.
'Ehis 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 row and come out
with blackened eye. Those who are
politicians las most of them are) wish to
be presentable the next day; so off they
60 to this painter chap, who, with the
skill OF an artist, proceeds to paint over
with fiesh-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 blue spots on
the hum IN face divine He recently in
formed me that the first case he had came
from a volunteer offer ON his part to paint
over bruised place upon the eye of a
friend He succeeded so we'll that soon
after another case offered; and still later
&c 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
9hink it very smart trick to follow in the
wake of the theatrical profession-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, until
my artist friend assured me that hardly a
day passes that he is not called upon to
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 ush1red into the
studio, revealed herself as a prominent
actress, and her eye was frightful case
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 most
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 , 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 half-hour an
other visitor came-this time a man. He
was recognized by the artist, and began to
tell 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 Il certain actress. The man
replied it was, but wondered how the in
o4uirer knew her name. Nothing more
was said on the subject, but in less than a
week the artist saw both parties roll up
Fifth avenue in a carriage together, and
IN less than a month they were married.
-Ne1o York Cor. Chicago Tribune.