The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-08-13
WHISTLER TALES.
Some Amusing PecuIiarities Of
the Eccentric Artist.
BARRING OUT BILL BEARERS.
Hs Knew the Knock OF Each Collector
and the Amount II Represented.
London csbbies Had Good Reason to
| Fight Shy Of tho Erratie Genius.

London Cabbies Had Good Reason to
Fight Shy Of tho Erratie Genius.
There was a steady stream of credi-
tors at the King street studio in those
days, says writer I'm the Century.
Whistler made no effort to conceal the
fact 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 listened
attentively.
"Psst!" said he. "That's one and
ten"
Within half an hour there was an
other rap, not quite so loud.
1.-Two and SIX" said Whistler.
"Psstw
what on earth do you mean?" /
asked after time.
"One pound ten shillings; two
pounds six shilllngs. Vulgar trades.
men with their bills, colonel. They
want payment. All, wellw he sighed
with an exaggerated air of sadness
and returned to his canvas
Then came another knock, a most
gentle, insinuating rap.
Dear me-" said Whistler, "that must
be all of twenty Poor fellow, really
must do something for him So sorry
I'm not in."
i could not take the situation so
placidly and seized eagerly the first
opportunity OF financial aid that pre-
sented Itself. A rich American, So
tourning In London, asked me what
he could purchase and take back with
him In the way OF art
by all means get a set of Wbistler's
etchings. Unquestionably he will
make for you selection. I'll speak to
him" I told him, and hurried back
with the good news.
Whistler was delighted, and for n
day worked busily, overhauling and
sorting his proofs. The selection was
a splendid one and called for sub
stantial payment. II was arranged
that Whistler should meet the pur-
chaser at bank in Queen street the
following morning and receive his
check.
Most men under the circumstances
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 n while
! expostulated in vain.
"Come. Whistler" l said finally, "you
have been away from America so long
that you don't appreciate the value of
time to the traveller, particularly the
American traveller. You must not keep
the man waiting"
"Very WELL" said he, laying down his
brush, with sigh. Now wen CO."
"Why weT 1 replied. 81 don't want
to CO." protested firmly. 10 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
ly we stood in front of the house sig
mailing a 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 al
,Whistler-this odd circumstance had
happened before we were together
but Whistler was calmly signaling. Al
length cabby took us In.
Whistler always carried as a walk
ing stick a long, slender wand, a 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 thu
street ut breakneck gallop, while thu
astonished cabby swore freely and
tugged desperately at the reins
Whistler looked calmly ahead and KEEP
poking.
Butcher boys and grocer boys made
Wild leaps for safety; outraged cabbie'
whipped their horses out Of the way
just in time; burly draymen bawlet
curses after us. and still we wen
merrily on. Little wonder, thought !
I'm the midst OF my amazement an,
resentment, that Whistler never get
the same cab twice.
Suddenly he began waving his cam
and shouting "Whoaw He took tn,
astonlshed cabby severely to task 70
driving so fast upon the public high
way and ordered him back to corne
we had just passed.
Here a greengrocer's shop, with 1t
orderly and colorful array of fruit
and vegetables, had caught Whistler