Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-09-14
PAINTING BLACK EYES.
The Queer Occupation NJ an Artist I'm
New York.


New York.
A New York correspondent came
across an advertisement which informed
readers that blackened or bruised eyes
could be made natural instantly by call
ing at the artists" residence on the
west side. Calling at the studio. the
correspondent found large room filled
with paintings and other evidences OF
culture.
However, | was rot in search thigh
art, the correspondent continues. Far
more interesting was the live tableau
in the center of the room that met my
gaze. Imagine seated in n steamer
chair, in sn easy. reclining position, a
very fashiorably- attired youth (on the
day after the Fourtl), whose pattern
leather boots. white tie, and dress coat
indicated that a lark of the night before
had Just been tinishCd-the results OF the
said lark being visible in a large and eN-
ceedingly duSky horseshoe somebody's
fist had imprinted " der one orb.
The artist, PIE Stnt faced, stalwart
young man was lusi'y er gag d in mixing
some preparation Hardly looking up
be waved me to n scat, saying: Il will
attend 10 YOUR eye in moment,
madam Cad for this opportunity for
observation. | picked up newspaper
and watched his operations on the
young swell with interest. First, the
artist poured in'o n bowl liberal
amount of liquid, which. with
soft sponge and the-air OF a mother ad-
miuis'ering soothing syrup to her babe,
he applied TO the injured cheek. Dur
ing this process lie remarked: I'm
afraid you have been trying 10 cure ii
with something cold
by JJve how it hurts" ejacnlatcd
the patient. YES, she put some ice on
it aiterward, but it did not seem to do
any good"
"Of course not" said the oracle,
severely; II don't know why people
viii persist in making such mistake.
Ice. or oysters. or cold water they will
apply in spite of the fact that anything
cold makes the blood concentrate be-
meath the skin and turns it black.
What they should DO is To 5athe the
bruise in water rs hot n they can stand
it; that scatters the blood and keeps the
skin from discoloring." :"
Well said the exhausted hero of a
fracas, with feeble attempt to be
witty. when fellow gets into hot
water he don't think of pouring it on"
By this time the i've canvas was ready
for coloring, and. with a tiny brush and
delicate strokes. tie artist proceeded to
lay on the flesh tintS. For nearly hall
an hour he worked steadily, psusing
frequently to add another shade. then
.oning the edges down, then allowing
the paint 70 dry, and then softly rubbing
on a fine powder that removed the
gloss. Then he stepped back and viewed
his handiwork with the air Of stern
critic. finally holding small mirror be-
fore the youth. who expressed my
thoughts when he exclaimed in admir-
ing accents: by George. Judging from
the looks, couldn't tell which eye was
blackedw Then, with as much OF
smile as he had energy for, he added;
"How much is it, ola boy?"
Five dollars" was the answer.
Its worth that TO keep me or of a
row with the governor, but deuce take
il, | haven't fivCr left; but take this
until | call for it, and h thrust upon
the artist handsom pearl scarfpin.
Now, what can | DO for you. ma'am''
queried he Of the brush. after disap-
pointed look upon Gy unblackened
countenance. Whereupon | explained
my mission, and the artist, not averse to
the i,lea OF being written m, assented to
nv staying awhile TO take notes.
Scarcely had he spoken when little
lady entered. She was moiestly dressed
in black, and had rather pretty face,
though terribly disigured by deep
semicircle OF black ami blue under one
of her eyes. She seemed little embar-
raised, and was proluSe in her explana-
tions of how she came by IL.
Indeed" she said, "Inever had such
q thing happen TO me before in my life,
but YOU see | was going downstairs
with tray iull Of rishes, and my foo:
caught in the mating and tripped, and
| fell ali the way down. Such thing
never happened To me before, and |
wonder did not break every bone in
my body. Such shame it should have
come on my eye. IEcver had = black
one before. and it is - mortitying."
Again the artist piled his ART, taking
great pains to maicn the color OF her
complexion, and perseverilg until the
ugly looking mark was rendered invisi-
bic. adding rs he concluded: You can
wash your face in cold water, but don't
use lot or soap, because it will bring
the paint of. With little care it will
last Until the eye is turcd.' The lady,
alter careful Examination, expressed
/, rseil satisfied, and inquired the cost.
1.-Two doiiars,' said tie artist. consid-
era;ely after u glance at her modest
toilet.
Two dol.Irs!H fairly screamed the
lady. "Tw o dollars for such pesky
little jJb rs that. never heard of such
an imposition Why, young man, in all
my life never paid more than fifty
cents before"
This assertion, coming aGer her pro.
fuse explanations, had very comical
effect, which she was quick 10 perceive.
q without further parley, she put
down the IN, hey and departed. When
the door closed on her your correspond