The morning call., 1892-11-13
BURNT CORK FOR ACTORS.
Where the Black Powder Is
Manufactured.
PROF. MULLEN, MONOPOLIST
His Secret Process of Making the Prepara-
tion-A Few Coats OF 1t Will Pro-
duce Minstrel Talent.

''The Emeisonian Burnt Cork Factory" is
the pretentious but nartistic sign which is
displayed from little place on ST. Mary's
street, near Pine.
On going through narrow passageway,
small, dingy rear room is reached. 1t
contains cot, cOal-oil stove. table and
some dishes. In one corner there is large
iron boiler and barrel of water.
This is the establishment OF Scotty Null
len, and from its output the proprietor re-
ceives revenue which renders him an in
dependent livelihood
Scotty can rise in the morning and retire
at night as 1t may please him. Ii he gets
one too many steam beers no dictatorial
boss Is after him with shout aud yell.
The manufacturer is little old man, who
has spent the greater portion of his life on
the minstrel stage. In fact. the blackening
process. which has extended over a period
of years. seems to have tran nsformed him
into colored man.
What are you stirring in that boiler
there, old man Z" asked reporter, as he
entered the room.
my name is Scotty Mullen" he replied,
without looking up, land these is corks."
what are they for?"
why, for the minstrels to black their
faces with, OF course. \ ou In the burnt
cork line?'
mo. just heard of you, that's all. How
long has your factory been running?"
This placer he exclaimed, ceasing his
stirring process. This place has been
running for twenty years. 1t has blackened
more talent than any other factory in
America, you can bet on that. You used to
know little johnny Kane that was around
the theaters all the timer" pursued Scotty,
as he drew a partially consumed cigar from
bis pocket and began to light it.
Yes; knew Johnny quite well. Where
is hep"
strels 90. He's dead. He started the place
and bought him out eight years ago. I've
got a secret process and the mInsires
won't use any other kind but the Emerso-
man."
''Is there any money In it?"
Yes, of course. i get from 20 to so cents
a pound for II. / sell 1t in the East and in
Europe too. That Is. don't ship It myself,
but the boys take 1t away from here with
them when they leave"
docs that boiler and barrel of water In
elude the entire manufacturing establish
ment?"
"Of course. / can burn cork enough here
to make minstrels out OF the whole world"
and Scotty laughed at his humor until he
sfrangled himself with smoke.
What Is your process, and who are your
patrOns?" was asked.
We'll, my way of burning Just beats 'eIn
all. stumbled on it when / was member
OF the 'profesh' myself, when l sometimes
burned my own cork
Don't you know used get So 80 a pound
Tor my stun, but everything is cheaper now.
I'd been landlord before now il prices had
kept up.
You want to know how get my corRs |?
Well. buy them at junkshops, saloons, and
anywhere / can get them. Champagne
corks are the best. They expand to four
times their natural size and burn nicely. l
place the cofks in this boiler that you see,
pour alcohol over them and then set them
on fire. They burn and decrease as / stir
them up. but continue to fill the boiler
and mix them up for about an hour and by
that time they are burned through.
II then pulverze them and place the
powder in muslin bag. The bag Is placed
In this barrel Of water and Its contents
squeezed out. BY this operation 1t Is sep