Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-09-30

ings of his he became so intoxicated with
Its beauty that he made seventy pastels
first. leaving his etchings till the last few
days. These pastels made a tremendous
sensation. All the art world of Venice was
carried away with enthusiasm, excepting a
Russian painter, who declared them tricks,
betting a basket OF champagne he could
paint six not to be distinguished from them
Mr.. Whistler amiably gave some of his
paper and six pastels. which were finally
mixed up with those by the Russian and
submitted TO a jury who had seen none of
them. Mr. Whistler's pastels were unmis-
taxable, and the Russian lost the wine. A
few days later the two met on the Rlalto
and Mr. Whistler laughed a little about
the wine and the bet. The Russian was
furious. you forget. SIR" he said, that
I'm a Russian. and II you scratch one you
find Tartar underneath" "Oh. no, you
have it wrong" said Mr. Whistler. you
have II wrong scratched an artist and
found an amateur"
woIcott and McKinley. ~
Senator Edward wolcott had a more
genial view of William Mckinley than is
expressed by John s. Wise in his recent
book. Notwithstanding the sombre disap-
pointment in his tone, relates Harper's
Weekly. II go into the White House"
said he TO a friend in the senate, for
some of the luscious fruit OF patronage
hanging on its inner walls. The gracious
gardener receives me so sweetly that l go
away satiated with the rich odors of the
things I seek and II is only when / see
you and other friends or the administra-
ton that l realize-so sadly-that the fruit
itself is hanging there stlll'
Where Wise Is harsh, Thomas b. Reed
was sardonic when he spoke OF the presi-
dent, whom he always called ''Will-yum."
II do not see how so sensible man as
Admiral Dewey could have said that he
would be content to be president because
the job was easy" said the man In the
club.
"oh, 1 think 1 know" responded Reed.
when George started for home from
Manila he thought that he might get a
huge medal for that's the way the great
republic rewards its heroes But when he
landed in New York 100000 people met him
on the wharf and said: George. you've
got 20 be our president No. said George.
Tn simple sailor and I'll stick TO my
trade But he went down to Washington
and after he'd looked over will-yum he
photographed back; can do that "
Root a. Fencer.
Secretary Root is a skillful fencer with
reporters. On one occasion they knew
OF an important dispatch which had been
received. but could not learn anything as
TO its contents He assured them that the
dispatch had not been suppressed; II had
simply not been given out. I'm fact" he
added with great gravity, the dispatch
is not given out In accordance with the
policy OF this department 10 give out moth
ing which In Its Judgment is OF such q
nature that Its contents ought not TO be
given out" $50 there you are" COM
mented one Of the reporters. and everybody
laughed. On another occasion Mr. Root
looked up from his desk 20 find eight hun
cry newsgatherers standing In a semi
circle. Their appearance suggested glee
club and the secretary remarked genially;
well l see you are all here. What are
you going to singT''
The Oldest Fire chief
James Il. Hopkins. chief engineer OF the
Somerville. Mass, hre department, has
been in continuous service for thirty-forr
years. Only one chief engineer in the
country exceeds him In this. and that is
Chief Thomas o'connor Of the New Or
leans fre department who has been In
the executive harness thirty-fvs years
Chief Hopkins II very much opposed to q