The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-04
WHISTLER.
gust What Really Occurred Upon Cers-
bratod Occasion.

told story Of Whistler, tho distortion
bearing only faint racial likeness
to the originals
A man from nowhere made a large
fortune in London and at once pro-
ceoded TO indulge q genuine If some
what Grass love OF art He sent
agents tho length and breadth of
Europe to purchase the highest
lriced pictures to be had--old mas
hers, if possible; if not copies by
FIRST class artists, if they could be
got to do tho work. Modern artists
were patronized in the original. In
fact, he setupa private Luxembourg,
crossed with a spurious Louvre.
The home he built him was mag
nifcent. NO man in London with
leanings toward art had such house
Everybody, or nearly every body,
who was invited went to SEQ it, to
remain, to feast, even to gaze upon
the millionaire at his easel brush in
hand, the robes of Japan or of Greece
flowing about him.
But one crumpled rose leaf had tho
millionaire. Whistler would not so
TO his home. Millais, Tadema, Sar-
geant and a hundred lights only a
trife or SO less distinguished had
graced his board, but Whistler could
not be got through the front door.
When he saw the millionaire coming,
be whisbed around q corner. His
notes of invitation, of adulation, he
did not condescend to open. He
turned a deaf ear to the importuni-
ties of mutual friends.
The art millionaire was in despair.
His wine turned to gall. His palette
grinned ut him. His sleep was in
fected with nightmare, which wore
the disdainful smirk of Whistler.
Even the famous white lock seemed
to assume IN air of lofty unattain-
ableness.
In short, no was miserable, for
until Whistler, the exigeant, the &C.
centric, tho impossible, set the cachet
Of his approval the art millionaire's
position in the world was open TO
dispute.
One day Whistler abruptly sent
him word that ne would eall upon
him the next morning at 10 o'clock.
What actpated tho great man will
never be known. The simplest ex-
pfgaTtiOu i5 TINT II was one OF his
many freaks.
The art millionaire, fairly palpi-
tating with JOY, received Whistler
at tho entrance to his palatial home,
elusive with welcome. Whistler
bowed gravely. Ho uttered never a
word. The millionaire offered his
arm. Whistler took it impassively
end permitted himself to be con-
Quoted over the house. He walked
through rooms filled with the treas
ures of Japan, OF India, of Turkey;
rooms hung with priceless tapestries,
inlaid with rare porcolains, rooms
representing apartments in ancient
Greece, Rome, Pompeii lie stared
with fixed eyes and said never a
word--a dining room taken from q
feudal castle, a hall archod like Cleo
patra's, bedrooms whose silken
hangings could have COMO through
the eye Of a needle. Never a word.
The host much porturbed, but
willing to make all allowance for the
eccentricities Of genius, finally flung
aside the portieres of a great studio.
IN it were such couches and stuffs
and curi0s as artists dream Of. The
easels were solid rosewood. Two
guinea an hour models awaited the
leisure Of the millionaire. Never q
word. Whistler permitted his stony
stare to roam from ono object to an
other, then swung his host abou1,
led him through the portieres and
made for the entrance. AS they de
scepdod the Grand staircase the mil
ionaire burst forth:
"Greah hcnXens-- Nh. Whistler :
Amt you going TO say anything
Whistler turned abruptly and TO
garded him for a moment with sol
emn stare Then Aa brought hi
hand heavily down ON the million
aire's back azd exclaimed hoarsely
Its amazing Ard--thore's--nc
-excuse - for lit. - New YorA
Sun.