The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1905-04-15
DISGUISE EXPERT SOUGHT.
Wigmaker Patronized by Many Who,
for Various Reasons, Want to
Change Appearance.

IF it were possible to ascertain
all the motives which account for
people in private life visiting wig
makers for the purpose of getting
themselves disguised, one would
have ample material for a thou
sand stirring human dramas, says
the Chicago Tribune. The disguise
side of a wigmaker's business is
extraordinarily fascinating, not
withstandingthata ustome rare
ly vOuchsafes his reasons for wish
ing to have his appearance trans
formed.
Picture to yourself the ex-
pert's room, with its stock of
wigs, boards, mustaches, and
grease paints. Enter a man, per-
haps leisurely, perhaps hurriedly,
who ~confesses point blank that he
is eager to change his identity-to
pass out into the world externally
a different being. Who is this
messenger OF mystery? What plot
is he Matching? Is he a detective,
a thief, or what? Is he perpetrat'
ing a joke, or is he in search of in
eliminating evidence that is des-
tined to bring some unfortunate
fellow mortal to his ruin?
AS a rule a customer of this
class invites suggestions as to the
most suitable form Of disguise,
and the expert, after scrutinizing
him infinitely and inquiring what
description of person he intends
to associate with and getting an
answer. at once arrives at q con-
clusiOn. II the client is clean
shaver he is advised to wear hair
"a beard, a mustache, or both.
On the other hand, if the GUS
toner is already in possession Of
a beard, he is recommended to
shave it off. The principle is to re-
verse the contrast, and SO to dis
guise a man that he will not be
conspicuous. His size and fea-
lures must likewise be consid-
cred. If he is thin, he is padded
out; while if a beard is needed it
is put on in such a way as to make
the face look fat. If he is short,
he is supplied with elevators,
which he places in his boots,
These little contrivances increase
his height by three inches. But
possibly he is naturally short, and
owns a round face. In this even
his face undergoes a process Of
thinning-the cheek bones are
brought out with the aid of paste
the presence of which cannot bt
detected.
Clothes constitute an importan.
item in every instance. A stou
person is urged to cover himsel
with a black suit, as by so doing 1t
, is taken for a less bulky man thar
he is; a lean individual is told t,
don a loud suit, for garments o
, this description deceive the ey'
and lead people to suppose tina
the wearer is bigger and fatte
than nature has ordained that h
should be.
Headgear also commands tn
attention of the artist in disguise
Short men look taller in high hat
j than they do in bowlers, while me
of length lose a few inches in az
pearance by masquerading in caps
But the disguise experts cui
toners are not all men. Some b,
S long to the gentler sex. On a ce.
tain occasion a woman ordere
5 one Of the most successful di
guises that was ever contrived.
h was impossible to recognize he
d DESTROYS of passingas one who wa
in acute pain, her hands wei
y rubbed with grease paints to ind
Vt cate that she was suffering fro.
o rheumatism. In this guise 81
went away and consulted her oW