Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1910-08-20
Some Amusing PecuIiarities of
 the Eccentric Artist.
BARRING CUT BILL BEARERS.
He Knew the Knock of Each Collector and the Amount 1t Represented London cabbes Had Good Reason to Fight Shy Of the Erratic Genius.

Tact that he was deeply in debt. One uay as we were busily and silently working there came loud business. like rap at the door, Whistler listeuld attentively
 ''Psst" said he. That's one and ten
 Within half an hour there was an- other rap. not quite so loud.
 Two and six" said Whistler. "Psstr
 What on earth do you mean?" l asked after time.
 "one pound ten shillings; two pounds six shilings. Vulgar trades men with their bills, colonel. They want payment. An, we'll" he sighed with an exaggerated air of sadness and returned to his canvas
 Then came another knock, a most gentle, insinuating rap.
 ''Dcar me" said Whistler that must be all of twenty! Poor fellow, l really must do something for him, So sorry Pm not in.
 l could not take the situation so placidly and seized eagerly the first opportunity of financial aid that pre- sented itself A rich American, so= 1 journing in London, asked me what he could purchase and take back with him i'll the way of art
 'By all means get a set of Whstlers etchings. Unquestionably he will make for you a selection. I'll speak to him." told him, and hurried back with the good news.
 Whistler was delighted, and for a day worked busily, overhauling and sorting his proofs. The selection was q splendid one and called for sub- stantial payment. It was arranged ! that Whistler should meet the pur- i chaser at bank in Queen street the l following morning and receive his 1 check.
 Most men under the circumstances 1 would have thought of little else, but by the next morning Whistler had wholly forgotten his engagement. He had begun a new canvas, and was completely absorbed in it. For while I eXpostulated in vain.
 Come. Whistler" I said finally, "you l have been away from America so long l that, you don't appreciate the value of 1 time to the traveller, particularly the American traveller. You must not keep l the man waiting"
 "Very well,' said he, laying down his brush, with sigh. Now we'll go" sSNyl,xy I mi to go," protested firmly. To tell the truth. was looking forward with a great deal of comfort to a morning all to myself.
 "Oh, but you must" he said calmly, bringing my coat and hat, and present. nalng cab.
 One came up readily enough, but, after one scrutinizing look upon the cabby's part, drove swiftly by; an other went through the same strange proceedings. looked questioningly at Whistler-this odd circumstance had happened before we were together but Whistler was calmly signaling. At length cabby took us in.
 Whistler always carried as walk ing stick long. slender wand, sort of mahlstick, nearly three-quarters of his own height. We were no sooner seated than he began poking his stick at the horse. The animal reared. plunged wildly and started down the street at a breakneck gallop, while the astonished cabby swore freely and tugged desperately at the reins. Whistler looked calmly ahead and kept poking.
 Butcher boys and grocer boys made wild leaps for safety; outraged cabbies whipped their horses out of the way just in time; burly drayIaen bawled curses after us, and still we went merrily on. Little wonder. thought | in the midst of my amazement and resen, nleu,, that Whistler never gets the same cab twice.
 SudGen., he began waving his cane and S'luHsins "Whoa" He took the astou.- ns,d cabby severely to task fol drivin. >o fast upon the public high way anu ordered him back to corner We h Il just passed.
 He:e greengrocer's shop, with it: orderly and colorful array of fruits and vegetables. had caught Whistler. eye as we whirled by. He surveyed i critically now from two different DO sitions. the cabby merely obeying hi: orders, under the belief, I presume that it was policy to humor lunatic.
 "Isn't it beautifulw exclaimed Whis tier. He pointed his long cane at on' corner. "I believe I'll have that crate of oranges moved over there-agains that back ground of green. Yes, that better" he added contentedly.
 We drove on to the bank. where WV found the American pacing up an( down in nc pleasant frame of mind but Whistler soon had him pacified and we left him waving and smiling adieus at US.
 The incident at the greengrocer'' shop reads like an arrant affectation It was not. however. Whistler, a!