Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-04-15
The Great American Whistler.

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The person who whistles may always
be sure OF warm reception in an edi.
tOrial room. This order of music is 81
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 re.
spectacle parents who can't whistle after
a proper course of instruction. 1t ia an
art, to be sure; but only so through cult
walton. The genius is invariably there
as a starting point, and no young man
need be in this country six months with.
out being tolerably proficient. We often
think of the young man who made his
appearance in Western editorial room
| one day whistling a lively air. The
Western editor said to him: "Now, INV
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 b.
hemian Girl"
He was bright young man and he let
himself out accordingly. Then the West
ern editor led him gently on to another
experiment, and then another, 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, how
ever: II have set out to show this
young man that he is bore and shall
persevere" And he added encouraging
ly: "Give us something regarding the
4 old folks at homer
Much practice had by this time made
the bright young man versatile, and he
wheeled without break in his whistle,
rendering the facts regarding the Suwan-
nee River with exceeding excellence.
4 "Now, then" said the Western editor,
again glancing at his unfinished manu-
script, then rising and walking the floor
briskly, suppose you give US that fine
extract from Norma / sce"-and he
picked up chair and inging it nerv-
Ously down upon the floor shattered every
piece of 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 accl-
dent, 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 invert-
ing it on the floor, then butting his head
against the wall for few moments, and
turning a somersault from pure nervous
ness, though still preserving his temper,
"most extraordinary whistle; never
heard 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 Western editor,
casting a despairing look at his manu-
script. keep it up, my dear young
friend. Don't mind my absence. Practice,
practice-that leads to perfection. l
have to 60 now, but go on with the mu-
sic. By-bye."
He took his coat from the hook and
went out, pausing on the doorstep to re-
mark bitterly: "And this--this is satire.
1t would have done with book-canvasser
or an insurance. agent 1t would have
answered the purpose, | am quite sure,
with the devil himself. But not with
the whistler-not with the great Ameri-
can whistler"
In the editorial room meanwhile the
whistling went on; but finally the mu-
stefan paused, looked around with a
triumphant smile, and said hoarsely:
"And this is satire. Yes, believe that's
what they call it. ] expect ! can whistle
in peace next time" Rochester Democrat.