The Delta independent., 1889-11-19
THE TATTooED SALT.
An Able Skin Artist WHO Dsoorases the
Sailors of Our Navy.
Designs for Various Parts Of tho Body and
Their implements Of the Craft and
How They Are Handled--The Pride Of the
Sailor Lad.

The water front along the East
River in New York is lined with
sailors homes" in which the jolly
seamen who come ashore to varnish
the town, may find shelter while their
money lasts. At one of these boarding
houses I was lucky enough to find Jack
Durston, 'the king of tattooers, VIII o
landed here one day last week. Jack
is u grizzle1 veteran and one of the
kind that enjoys fight just for the
sake of sociability, but he is an able
skin artist-there is no doubt about
that. And great Scott! what an ex-
pectator! He likes tobacco better than
bread and can score dead centre every
time in spittoon twenty feet away.
In fact 1 never saw more accurate
long-distance shot
He had an array of surgical imple-
ment5 that would have done honor to
a greater barbarian than himself. The
implements OF his craft consisted OF
small round stick about the size of n
lead pencil, hattened for about an inch
at one end, on which were placed side
by side with points projecting, u hall
dozen fine needles bound fast with
linen thread, and so arranged that the
points formed one side of n triangle.
A shallow vessel for ink, and a book
of designs completed the outfit of this
able skin piercer.
The book of designs contained about
one hundred gems OF art, to be drawn
in india ink and Chinese vermillion,
with the name of each design attached,
which he would pierce in ones desh at
stated price per gem. When the sailor
who wishes to join the exclusive set
finds that he must be decorated, he goes
to the artist and gets the book OF de-
signs. He selects q subject for etching
providing he has the price, while the
artist prepares the ink. If an arm
picture is desired the victim takes n
seat on stool facing the skin worker,
who dips the pointed end OF the stick
in the ink and traces the picture. III u
body picture is desired the victim takes
off his shirt and lays himself upon a
cask or board. After the sketch is COM
pleted, then the inquisition begins with
the business end of the stick. The ex-
ecutioner draws the martyrs '.hide"
taut with his left hand, while with the
right, holding tho stick like pen. he
follows the lines of the sketch. jubbing
the needles into the quivering flesh of
the victim and then prying them out
again with the most reckless abandon.
If you have ever seen a man digging IL
plank out of n sidewalk with n crow
bar, you have seen the precise action,
except on IL very much smaller SCALE
And yet you landlubbers will ask if the
operation is painful.
''How long does is take to make a
picture?" l asked him.
''Wall. that depends on the size OF
the pictur, ye see. 1t takes one dip
ink t. trace n line an inch long. 1t
mos centrally takes me an hour to
make II forearm pictur. The body pic
turs are never finished t once"
He told me that at the close of the
operation the afflicted part is dressed
in wet bandage, and, though painful
for a few days. soon heals and is ready
for exhibition.
The portfolio of this artist contains
selected list of subjects consisting OF
mysterious works of art and marine
views. The authors of the subjects |
might mention a few selected ones.