Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1910-09-24
WHISTLER TALES.
Some Amusing Peculiarities of
 the Eccentric Artist.
BARRING OUT BILL BEARERS.
He Knew the Knock of Each Collector and the Amount It Represented. London cabbies Had Good Reason to Eioht Shy of the Erratic Genius.

ana tn0 NHOout S '~eP' P'oSS"seos
 London csbbies Had Good Reason to
 Fiqht Shy of the Erratio Genius.
 There was a steady stream of credi- tors at the King street studio in those days, says writer in 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 listensd attentively.
 "Psstw said be- "That's one and ten"
 Within half an hour there was an- other rap, not quite so loud.
 1.-TWO and six" said Whistler. "Pssty
 "What ou earth do you mean?" asked after time.
 "One pound ten shillings; two pounds six shillings. Vulgar trades men with their bills, colonel. They want payment. An, well!" he sighed with an exaggerated air of sadness and returned to his canvas.
 Then came another knock, most gentle, insinuating rap.
 "Dear me-" said Whistler, "that must be all of twenty! Poor fellow, I really must do something for him! So sorry I'm not in."
 1 could not take the situation so placidly and seized eagerly the first opportunity of financial aid that pre- sented itself. A rich American, so- journing in London, asked me what he could purchase and take back with him in the way of art.
 By all means get set of Whistler'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 day worked busily. overhauling and sorting his proofs. The selection was splendid one and called for sub stantial payment. It was arranged that Whistler should meet the pur chaser at a 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 new canvas, and was completely absorbed in 1t. For while I expostulated in vain.
 Come, Whistler" 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 we'll go.''
 "Why wei" I replied. "I don't want to go," l protested firmly. To tell the truth, was looking forward with a great deal of comfort to 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 naling 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 a cabby took us in.
 Whistler always carried as e walk ing stick a 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 breakneck gallop, while inc astonished cabby swore freely aud 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 .draymen bawled curses after us, and still we went mefrily on. Little wonder, thought I. in the midst of my amazement and resentment, that Whistler never gets the same cab twice.
 Suddenly he began waving his cane and shouting "Whoar' He took the astonished cabby severely to task for driving 20 fast upon the public high- way and ordered him back to . corner we had just passed. -ssa
 Here a. greengrocer's shop, with its orderly and colorful array of fruits and vegetables, had caught Whistler's eye as we whirled by. He surveyed 1t critically now from two different po-s sitions, the cabby merely obeying his orders, under the belief, presume. that it was policy to humor lunatic. 2
 "Isn't 1t beautifuly' exclaimed Whis- tier. He pointed his long cane at one corner. 'I believe I'll have that crate of oranges moved over there-against that background of green. Yes. that's better" he added contentedly.
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