The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1907-08-29
4 RIVAL OF WHISTLER.
The Russian WoikoH's Attempted Isni-
tation of the PasteIa.

e"~ TN~ss@W woi6OU 3 ASree9pe@0 tF9ts
tation of the PasteIs.
One evening there was a conviy-
lal gathering of men from many
different nations seated about ia
bic in an open court Of the Bauer
Grunwald, well known Venetian
restaurant The conversation, / be-
lieve, was in English, and the sub
ieet of Whistler's pastels was
brought up by one Of his enthusi-
astic American admirers. A Rus
sian named Wolkoff was flippant
and depreciating, ridiculing them as
works of art, jeeringly saying that
he was willing to bet that he could
make half a dozen pastels as good
as Whistler's, and, if they were
mixed with his, nobody could tell
them apart The American was
surprised at this attitude and re-
marked:
'1'll bet champagne dinner for
all present that you can't"
"All right, I'll take your bet and
prove what l say, but | will make
one condition only, and it must be
agreed upon by all present: / must
be permitted to see Whistler's pas
tells before l begin"
Il will agree to that and arrange
day when you can see them"
All this was unknown to Whis-
tier, who was innocent of the reason
for the call of his Russian guest.
He received him charmingly and
showed him all his pastels. These
he pinned on large cardboards, care
fully, almost tremendously, and
placed them before him upon a
chair that served as an easel. This
was the usual way he exhibited his
pastels or etchings at home. The
Russian was not heard from for six
weeks. Then the committee in
charge was informed that he could
not go on because he found it i'm
possible to purchase in Venice the
peculiar brilliant pastels with which
Whistler obtained his effects.
The American would not let him
slip through in that way, so he man
aged to make it possible for his Rus
sian friend to select numerous small
pieces from Whistler's own pastel
boxes. He selected all he wanted
or thought he needed for the easy
task of making a Whistler pastel
and after this exceptional accommo-
dalton returned to his work, saying
he would be ready for the jury in
a week.
How or by whom the six jurors
were selected | do not know, but /
remember that two strangers, an
Austrian and a Dutchman, were
among them. Spain was represent
ed by Martin Rico, England by Hen
ry Woods, R. A., and America by
Frank Duveneck and myself. BY
this time Whistler knew the wager.
The jury met in house on the Riva
not far from the Casa Jankovitz,
near enough for him to bring his
pastels conveniently. The meeting
was very long room facing the
lagoOns The American who had
accepted the wager was not there.
Wolkoff was at home, sick in bed.
Whistler was in the darkest and
farthest corner, with his back to
the company and his pastels on a
long table. / was selected to bring
each exhibit from Whistler's hands
and place it on high backed chair.
1t was an extraordinary position
i'll which Whistler was placed and
veritable ordeal which he faced. He
was serious and wore troubled
look, the truth being that he was
nervous at the possibility that the
jury might let one of the Russians
pastels slip by as one of his own. I
am glad to say, however, that when
ever Wolkoff appeared it was in
stantly received with groans and
shouts of '"Take it awayw Not for
one moment was there the least
doubt or a dissenting voice.-Otto
Bacher in Century.
A Bad Mix.