Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-10-26

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prison graveyard on the hill-side.-N. ?
| Sun.
THE LATEST FOLLY.
How Women Tattoo Their Legs-The Way
1t is Done in Philadelphia.
The Item which was published in the
London Times, and which was generally
copied in this country, relative to the
elopement of the the daughter of noble
man, in which occurred the sentence,
"She can be fully identified by cross
tattooed on the right leg, just below the
Knee" has served to call out in this coun-
try, from the press, a general condemna-
of the practice which was known to be
largely INDUCED in by English and French
women.
In order to learn whether the tattooing
was carried on to any great extent in this
city, an item reporter made tour Of
discovery, IN which he was very success
full. Among the first visited was a
young physician, who said: ''The leg
mark referred to in reference to the elop-
ing young damsel, would be a poor means
OF identity in this country, for know of
q number of young ladies in this city
who have their limbs decorated IN sim
liar manner. During my brief time of
practice I can say that I have met with
very many cases. Two young wives
whom I attended recently had crosses
tattooed on their limbs, and one young
lady of whom I know had the initials Of
her favorite sutton pierced in the skin
just above the ankle. A young practi-
ticnor said he had met with many cases
lately. Among the most favorite devic-
es are serpents with their tails in their
mouths, forming ring, which are tattoo
ed in just above the knee"
Among the demi-mopde~ he had seen
"any number of cases." He stated that
most OF the female tattooing was per-
formed at the house of the patron, by a
woman whose name he did not know.
He was OF the opion that tattooing would
spread like wild-tire since that paragraph
about the young English woman had ap-
peared.
Being anxious to gain all the informa-
tior possible relative to this barbaric GUS
tom, an item reporter started out in search
OF the woman referred to, who was final
ly found in all unpretcntious but neat
house in the vicinity of 9Th and Callow-
hill streets. A ring at the bell brought
a colored servant to the door, and scribe
was invited to seat in the parlor, while
his card was taken up stairs.
Five minutes afterward, a pleasant
faced lady attired in plain silk, unrelieved
by adornments Of any kind, entered the
parlor and smilingly extended her hand,
the fingers of which were black with india
ink. After stating his business, the lady,
after some hesitation. consented to talk
on the subject, providing her name was
not published.
II have to maintain much secrecy"
said the lady, "for many of my patrons
belong to the best families.''
In answer to the query whether the
practice was increasing, the lady said
"A year or so ago business was dull, but
nowI have more than I can attend to-"
II do nst know how 1 shall describe
the operation" said the lady, ''for I am
not very apt at such things. But if
could so arrange it that you could see the
modus operandi yourself, will you pledge
me secrecy in case you know or recognize
the patient2'
The scribe willingly gave his word to
be mum, and he was taken into a room
up stairs which adjoined the operating
room, and where he could observe with
out being seen. The operating room bore
the appearance of a. dentists Office. A
large comfortable chair, in which an as
pirant tor tattooing honors was seated,
stood by the only window in the apart
ment. The patients leg was bare and
exposed nearly to the knee, and from its
appearance it was evident that the opera
ton had been suspended when the lady
came down to welcome the reporter.
Work upon it was resumed without delay,
and every time the needle pierced the
skin the young woman WINGED percepti-
bly,, and 1t was evident that the opera
ton was painful one. Several times the
leg was jerked back convulsively, which
drew out an angry command to "keep
quiet" At last the work upon the cross
was completed, and the young woman de-
parted
The next patient was a well-known
leader OF the demi-monde Of this CITY,
who had come to have the finishing
touches placed on an elaborate design.
She laughed and chatted through the
operation, and before she left concluded
to have the other leg decorated at an ear
ly day.
AS soon as she had left, the India ink
artist joined the reporter, saying:
swell, am now ready to continue our
interview
Reporter-From what l have seen /
am led to believe the operation painful
one. Am correct?
Artistic some It's, to others not. I
have known some to faint while under
going the tattooing, while others will
laugh and joke throughout the entire
operation, evincing no uneasiness what
ever.
Reporter-Is not the practice injur-
ious9
Artist-No, I have never heard of it
being so at least. know of one Young
lady whose limb was indsmed and swol.
len for two or three days, so that it was
impossible for her to use it; but the
S~eAllng went down, and since then she
has experienced no trouble. But / did
not wonder at this case.
Reporter-Why2
Artist wanted too much. She
actually insisted in having tattooed on
her limb, from the knee down, no less
than eight devices, including monograms,
crosses, half-moons, SC.
Who are yeur best customers?
Artist-The demi-monde. Lately they
have become almost crazy over it. Still
| have quite practice among respecta-
BILE women. Speaking of the demi-
monde's craze over the matter, recalls q