Dutch Boy

Tante Lydia made James mix paint from Linseed oil and White Lead Bricks. Dad arrived 6 hours later with a Drill. James' hands were too blistered to use it.

The Tantes had ancient paint laying around their property that was part of their father's business in Irvington NJ in the early 1900s. By the 1970s, the lead bricks and linseed oil had crusted and turned to tar. We were at the mercy of the "adults", and forced to do chores for the old ladies... some chores were easier than others.

My brother James still cringes at this story. NO, he didn't have a pair of wooden shoes on, but it makes the picture.