The St. Johns herald., 1890-06-19
BEAUTIFUL SCIENCE.
A Chat with One Of Now Yorks
 Black-Eye Artists.
All Sorts Of Fac:aI Defects Covered Up by an Expert-Red Noses Painted Vhite-The Work of Sandbag-
 gers CIeycrly Initiated.

f8SEo NAeSfEig A1AlI1bSu~
 The ack-eye artist of tho Bowery has recently added several new accom- plishments to his great speciality, says the New York Sun. Having achieved local fame as skillful disguiser of the most embarrassing of facial disfgure- ments, he is endeavoring to meet the frequent demands that are made upon him to conceal other physical defects of a more or less compromising nature. He has attained such proficiency with his brush and powder and cosmetic that he is ready to guarantee that one of his painted eyes will pass even a suspicious wife's scrutiny. This success has led him to make the treatment of red noses his latest speciality. and he is doing rushing business in this and some incl dental side lines,
 ''It is curious said he with a signif- cantsmile, that we never have 9 black eye brought in here that was received in fight. They are always caused by accidents more or less peculiar. Of course most men run against a door in the dark, or slip on the stairs and strike tho banisters,' or if it is warm and he is family man he was playing ball with the children The women"
 "Women!"
 'Bless you, yes, lots of 'em; and they're mighty particular, I tell you. I wish they would stay away, for there's no money in painting eyes for women at fifty cents an eye. l started to tell you the women always have some accident in connection with their domestic duties to give in explanation of the unsightly bruise, for woman-or man either, for that matter-never fails to explain to us elaborately just how it happened, Most of our black-eye customers, if the truth were told, are clerks i1 stores and offices who have been on a bit of a time, and who know it won't do to carry the marks of it around in sight of their employers. There really are other things than another mans fist that will cause black eye, but you can't make anybody believe it. So it usually happens that man who has innocently met with an accident is 9s anxious to get rid of the suggestive marks of it as is another chap who has been in brawl and has got woFsted. As a matter of fact, nearly all our customers are re- spectable people. Plug Ugiies don't bother to conceal black eye. It gives them 8 distingue appearance that they are rather proud Of. It is the man of standing who, after he has tried raw beefsteak, an ico compress, brown paper plaster, and all the other things in vain, comes in despair to us. He might as well come at once, for black eye once gained is not to be got rid of inside of ten days, and it will be nearly two weeks before the natural color is fully restored. How many black eyes do we treat? Well, the average now is very nearly one hundred Q week. A black eye should be painted fully twice 3 week while it lasts. Some victims who are fearful of discovery come in every morning while the afiiction lasts to be touched up little on their way to business"
 "How do you manage with red noses?"
 "Oh, in the same way. It is more
  plexion of youth upon a nose deep-dyed by high living of half lifetime. The nose is the most prominent feature, and the most skillful work is required to disguise its color so that the handiworl1 of the artist will not betray itself. No body eyeF admits that his carmine- tipped nose is the result of dissipation or high living It is always @ case of erysipelas. We don't attempt to cure a red nose, although our sign outside an nounces, Red Noses Cured We only disguise them. No, nobody comes regu- larly to have nose painted. We havo regular customers, however, who come once in awhile as special occasion may make it necessary. The explanation usually given, and have no doubt it is Q true one, is that the owner of the luminous proboscis intends to attend funeral and wants to be made incon- spicuous."
 What other work do you do?"
 ''Oh, a great variety. We even make black eyes as we'll as cure them. Only 8 week ago man came in here and asked me to paint one of his eyes terrifcally black He had buclled tho tiger the night before, and had lost almost all his money, large sum. He didn't dare go home without an innocent explana- ton of his loss, so he had fakcd up a startling story about being sandbagged and robbed, I supplied him with cor roborative evidence of the sandbagging in my most artistic style. It is very common thing for men who are candi- dates for the police and fire departments to come in here to get fixed up before submitting to the physical examination that is required. We cover up marks of old injuries and other defects very skill fully, I can assure you. There was a fellow here only three days ago who had ? bad hole or depression in his leg. We filled it up and colored it naturally, and don't believe the deception was de tected. Yes, we supply all sorts of dis guises. presume the purpose is always innocent. We don't ask any questions. Kxs-