Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-27
MHIsTLING FOR A LIVING.

Two CoIored Men Who Stow Away
Many Dimes--M histling Joe and His
Imitator.
An old negro, who is very short and as
fat as the traditional alderman, says the
New York sun, put his head into the for
ward cabin of Cortlandt street ferry
boat a day or two ago and looked warily
about. Every seat vas occupied, and one
or two persons were standing near the
door. He took off his hat and entered
softly on tiptoe, bowling with great cOur-
tesy as he moved toward the paddle-box.
Bis head was almost bald, and went up
TO a curious point at the crown. His
ewes had a peculiarly foxy look, and he
smiled to himself as though enjoying
a great joke. He took up pO-
sitiOn by the paddle-bOX, where
he could command a view
fore and aft, and was evidently keeping a
weather eye open for the deck hands.
Every once and while he put his hand
up to his mouth in an apologize way and
chuckled very far down in his throat. II
he happened to catch the eye of any OF
the passengers at such a moment, he
winked with intense meaning and chuck
led louder than ever. When the boat
moved out of the slip he gave one more
searching glance toward the doors, and
then, fixing both eyes on the ceiling, be-
gan to whistle "The MOcking Bird" The
peOple stared at him in amaZement. 1t
sounded like full-tOned flute in the hands
OF a good player. There seemed to be an
immense range to it, and he went from
deem bass tones to the sharp and shrill
piping tones of a piccolO. First, he whis-
tied the tune through carefully,
and then fell to giving it all sorts
of variations. The notes rang
through the place loudly, and when he
had finished re was vigorously applauded;
then he went of at a rafting rate and
whistled dance tune. and then fell back
again TO initiating birds. AS be did so he
took of his hat and began TO bow and
wink at the people. As he approached
the first man in the line of seats he whis-
tied and gurgled in his throat in a coax
ing and cooling way. which was varied
with ''chic, chic, chic" cOaXingly. The
man laughed, went down in his pocket,
pulled out a coin. and dropped it in the
old mans hat. The latter then burst into
a Joyous bit of melody, something after
the styie OF a carol Of a canary bird. Then
he cOaxed the next man, and so or, until
he went completely around the cabin.
Only two men refused to pay him, and he
must have made at least 81 by the time
the boat landed.
His face mas long Deen AdLhiiaH 10 view
Workers. both on the East river, North
river. and COney Island terrybOats. He is
known as Whistling Joe, and it is said
that in the cOlOred community he Is
man of Importance.
Another negro, who earns his living
partly after this fashion, but who is not
yet known, is very slim, dresses well, and
has an affected manner. On Wednesday
afternoon there was the usual crowd on
a. or frl "a
Broadway, when this young fellow came
along. Without any warning whatever,
he took of his hat in the midst OF the
crowd, threw his chin in the air, and be-
gan to MARBLE after the style of a Tyro-
lean. He warbled beautifully, and the
people began to gather around him until
the police thought it necessary 70 dispense