The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-06-17

THE GREAT AMERICAN VIII ISTLER
From the Rochester Democrat
The person who whistles may always
be sure of a warm reception in an ed
iterial room This order OF music is
so rare in the United States of Amer
lea that its incoming is invariably re-
ceived with shouts OF joy. If per-
chance the person can't whistle, he can
at least sing. He can whistle hsweyer.
We are convinced that there is no
person born Of respectable parents
who can't whistle after proper course
of Instruction. 1t 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 be-
ing tolerably proficient.
We often think of the young man
who made his appearance in the West
elm editorial room one day, whistling
lively air. The Western editor said
to him, Now, my young friend, you
can do much better than that, you
know. Let yourself out little, and
don't be bashful. We have nothing
in the world to do but listen to you.
Give US something from the bohemian
Gill" He was bright young pan,
and he let himself out accordingly
Then the Western editor led him gen
tly 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.
TWAS getting rather late in the day
and the Western editor began to get
nervous. He said to himself, hewev-
Ell, 81 have set out to show this young
man that he is bore, and 1 shall per-
severe" And he added, encouraging
ly, 'Giye us something regarding the
sold Folks at Home" Much prac-
tice had by this time made the bright
young man versatile, and he wheeled
without break in the whistle, render
ing the facts regarding the Swanee
River with exceeding excellence
"Now, them" said the Western editor,
again glancing at his unfinished man
uscript, 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
down on the floor, shattered every
timber in it-'I see you are gaining
every moment, my friend. L 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 current 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, pick
ing up his table and inverting it OH
the floor, then butting his head against
the wall for few moments, and turn
ing a somersault from pure nervous
ness, though still preserving his tenn
per, ''most extraordinary whistler
never heard anything like it. Sup
pose, now, you give us the occurrences
relating to Mollie Darling" The
bright young man entered upon this
piece with alacrity. Keep it up" said
the Western editor, casting despair
ing look at his manuscript, keep it up
my dear young friend. Don't mind |
my absence. Practice, practice-that
leads to perfection. have to go now,
but on with the music. By-by."
He took his coat from the hook and !
went out, pausing Oh the doorstep to
remark bitterly; "And this--is satire |
1t would have done with "a book-can-
vasscr or an insurance agent. 1t would !
have answered the purpose, l am quite
sure, with tine devil himself. But not |
with the whistler-Iot with the great !
A merican whistler" In the editorial !
room meanwhile the whistling went |
On but finally the musician paused,
looked around with a triumphant i
smile, and said hoarsely: "And this
IS satire. Yes, l believe that's what
hey call it. expect / can whistle in
peace next time"