The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-06-12
THE GREAT AMERICAN WHISTLER.
From the Rochester Democrat. ]

From the Rochester Democrat
The person who whistles may always be
sure of q warm reception in an editorial
room. This order of music is so rare in the
United States of America that its incoming is
invariably received with shouts Of joy. If
perchance the person can't whistle, he can at
least sing. He can whistle, however. We
are convinced that there is no person born OF
respectable parents who can't whistle after q
proper course of instruction. It is an art, to
be sure, but only SO through cultivation. The
genius is invariably there as starting point,
and no young man need be in this country
six months without being tolerably proficient
We often think of the young man VINO
made his appearance in Western editorial
room one day, whistling q lively air. The
Western editor said to him, ''Now, my young
friend, you can do much better than that you
know. Let yourself out a little, and don't be
bashful. We have nothing in the world to
do but to listen to you. Give us something
from the bohemian Girl. GLE was bright
young man, and he let himself out accord
ingly. Then the Western editor led him
gently on to another experiment, and then
another, and then another, like the man IN
the fable whose story was without end, and
the bright young man never faltered.
1t was getting rather late in the day, and
the Western editor began to get nervous. He
said to himself, however, II have set out to
show this young man that he is bore, and
I shall persevere." And he added, encourag-
ingly, "Give us something regarding The
Old Folks at Home Much practice had by
this time made the bright young man versa
tile, and he wheeled without break in his
whistle, rendering the facts regarding the
Swannee River with exceeding excellence.
"Now, them" said the Western editor,
again glancing at his unfinished manuscript,
then rising and walking the floor briskly,
suppose you give US the fine extract from
Norma, see"-and he picked up chair
and bringing it nervously down upon the
floor shattered every piece Of timber in it
II see you are gaining every moment, my
friend. In think in due season you will be
the champion whistler of the continent. Now
give us 'Old Hundred by way of variety"
The bright young man again turned the cur
rent of his music without an accident, and
the grand old piece was entered upon. The
Western editor resumed his walk, tearing his
hair and occasionally biting some new lead
pencils in two; but he preserved his temper.
"Ah," he said finally, picking up his table
and inverting it on the floor, then butting
his head against the wall for few moments,
and turning somersault from pure nervous
ness though still preserving his temper,
anything like it. Suppose now you give US
the occurrences relating to "Molly Darling. :"
The bright young man entered upon the piece
with alacrity. Keep it up" said the West
ern editor, casting despairing look at his
manuscript, "keep it up. my dear young
friend. Don't mind my absence. Practice,
practice that leads to perfection. have to
90 now, but on with the music. By by"
He took his coat from the hook and went
out, pausing on the door step to remark bit
terly, "And this-this is satire. 1t would
have done with book canvasser or an lnsnr-
ance agent It would have answered the
purpose, I am quite sure, with the devil him
self. But not with the whistler-not with the
great American whistler" In the editorial
room, meanwhile, the whistling went on !;
but finally the musician paused, look around
with triumphant smile, and said hoarseiy,
"And this is satire. Yes, I believe that's
what they call it; I expect can whistle in
peace next time"