Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-14
WHISTLER STORIES
When the Artist Lived in
Washington.
ECCENTRIC IN HABITS
EMPLOYED AS A DRAUGHTSMAN
IN THE U. S. COAST SURVEY.
Could Not Report at the Office on Time
Efficient in His Work,
but Unreliable.
ECCENTRIC IN HABITS
Charles f. Fairman. in the Lamp.

tory of this eccentric genius. Viewed by
the light Of ccntemporaneous events, noth-
ing was evidenced by which one could pre-
diet his future success. Viewed from the
standpoint of ordinary Judgment. there was
everything from which TO predict life of
failure and the chances of success were
so very remote that probably no one was
more surprised at the fortune which crown
ed later efforts than the recipient himself
Whistler.
There is much. however. which may be
said in Whistlcr's favor. or perhaps in the
way OF extenuating circumstances. Whis-
tier at the time of his entry upon de-
partmeutal life quite young. having just
passed his twentieth birthday. His expe-
rlence at West Point had been full of dis
appointment to both himself and his friends.
Sickness had prevented diiigent attention
to studies. Natural habits of inattention,
due no doubt to the life which he had led
before entering West Point, added to the
uncertainty which must have developed his
future owing to the death of his
father. had probably unsettled Whistler
for close attention TO his studies. and the
inevitable failure to pass examinations, and
the recommends tions for dismissal on ao-
count of inefiiciency followed in regular
sequence.
At West Point.
Whistler's life at West Point had been
the routine service of government depart
ment. While it may be argued and quite
safely. that marks in college or seminary
are not at all indicative of the degree of
after success, it Is nevertheless true that
habits OF idleness and negligence fail to
secure favorable recognition in the service
of the government. Whistler's record
ut West Point seems rather remarkable
on account of the number Of dement's
standing against his name than for any
other reason. An examination of the Off
cial register of that institution shows his
standing In 1862 al the end Of his first wear
ut West Point as No. ~ In q class of 90
In this year his dement's were 19O-but ten
less than the number required for a recom-
mendauon for dismissal. During this same
year he ranked Al in mathematics II I'm
English studies and In French In 1853
ne was absent with leave on account of
mathematics or French. He was how
ever. given the highest rank in his class
IN drawing. His dement's this year were
les $500 WI"
In 1854, Whistler's last wear ar West
Point. his standing at examinations showed
a rating of 30 in philosophy deficient I'm
chemistry, and as in the preceding year the
highest rank In his class IN drawing HIS
dement's in this year were 21S or Is mora
than were needed for a recommendation FOR
discharge.
Enters Coast Survey.
With this preparation and with this UNI
favorable record Whistler entered the
United States coast survey as a draughts-
man on the 9TH of November. 1854 at COM
pensation of $50 per diem. not a large
compensation, but probably as much as his
services were worth TO the government. At
this time the method of admission to the
government departments was by no means
dlfi1cult, and as "a careful search OF the rec
ords fails to show any formal application
Tor employment on the part of Whistler, 1t
is safe to conclude that the position was
given both on account of the talent of the
applicant in this direction and from the
further fact that the head of the survey.
captain Benham was an old friend of
Major Whistler, the father of j. A Whis-
tier. and one of the most celebrated engi-
neers of the day.
Hardness His Sin.
The old habits of carelessness seem to
have followed Whistler into his depart
mental life. Unfortunately for his peace
of mind, the chief clerk of the survey, Mr..
Porterfeld a strict accountant, per-
haps, for those times. martinez, and the
lack of punctuality was considered such
serious offense that the small portions of
time were carefully recorded and deduc-
lions made from the pay envelope. The
first deduction for loss of time amounted to
two days in one month. In the month of
January, 1855. Whistler is credited with
only six and one-half days work, hardly
prosperous condition when We remember
that the wages We're but 81 80 per day.
This constant hardness and absence from
work source of much annoyance to
Captain Benham who had hoped that this
position would be a stepping stone to bet
ter things for the son of his old friend. To
avoid criticism and a possible charge of
favoritism. attempt was made to reform
Whistler's habits of reporting at the office
for work at late hour, as he never seemed
fully aware that o'clock was the hour for
commencing work a the survey.
Effort at Reform.
To aid in the reformation the services OF
"A young man named Adolphus Lindenkohl
were enlisted In the scheme by Captain
Benham, who was most jealous in his at
tempts to work a reform. Lindenkohl was
also an employe of the survey. and at this
time about Whistlers age. His exemplary
habits and well-known punctuality had won
the regard Of his chief, and II was believed
that his influence with Whistler would be
all that would be required to secure his at
tendance TO his duties at the proper hour.
The plan so carefully arranged by Captain
Benham was as follows: Lindenkohl was to
make himself as agreeable as possible TO
Whistler call on him at his rooms and
commence series of morning calls at an
hour when Whistler could be given ample
time to prepare for his arrival at the sur
yey at the hour of q. Whistler at this time
, occupied a room at the corner OF 18th and
standing and is occupied by Ehrmantraut
as a restaurant. The calls were usually
made at such an hour that Whistler would
he found I'm bed. He was always most cor
dial in his welcome To Lindenkohl ana
seemed grateful that he would be able 10
have his company on the way To Work lie
would promise To dress at once ana be
ready to depart I'm few minutes. Ihen he
would stop just long enough TO make
cup of coffee and take light breakfast.
Tho coffee was made by means of tiny
alcohol lamp. and Lindenkohl was always
cordially invited to have a cup OF coffee.
During the preparations for office and the
making OF the coffee Whistler was in his
most entertaining mood and would relate
with much ability for storytelling incl
dents of his life in Russia and In Paris. TO
tb,. tutraVeled Lindenkohl these mornings
were fun of interest. for he had seen but
little OF life. Time passed rapidly In such
good company, with the result that instead
OF the tardy Whistler reporting on time
at the survey, the tardiness was commune
Gated TO IIndenkohl ana although the plan
was tried for fully week, Lindenkohl final
~ reported to Capt. Benham that IL was i'm
possible. without being positively rude to
Whistler to make any impression upon his
habits of reporting for WORK. For him
time seemed but for enjoyment. never re-
hinder of the duties of the hour.
Little Sketches.
In his work at the survey Il was found