Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-08-30
Amusing Tales of Whistler

be all OF twenty! Poor fellow. 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-
scented 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 a set of WhiStler's
etchings. PROFESSIONALLY he will
make for you selection. I'll speak TO
him." 1 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
splendid one and called for a sub
stantial payment. 1t 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 a while
1 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"
Every WELL" said he, laying down his
brush, with sigh. Now Wen co."
''Why we?" replied. 81 don't want
to CO." protested firmly. To tell the
truth, 1 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. 1 looked questioningly at
Whistler-this odd circumstance had
happened before we were together
but Whistler was calmly signaling. At
length q caDDy look US IN.
Whistler always carried as a walk
ing stick a long, slender wand, sort
Of a 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 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 draymen bawled
curses after US, and still we went
merrily on. Little wonder, thought 1,
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 so fast upon the public high
way and ordered him back to n corner
we had just passed.
Here q 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- |
sftions, the cabby merely obeying his |
orders, under the belief, L presume. |
that it was policy to humor lunatic.
Isn't it beautifulr' exclaimed Whis- /
tier. He pointed his long cane at one
corner. 81 believe I'll have that crate
OF oranges moved over there-agains. !
that background of green. Yes, that's |
better" he added contentedly.
We drove on to the bank. where we
found the American pacing up and |
down in no pleasant frame of mind; |
but Whistler soon had him pacified. |
and we left him waving and smiling
ldieus at US.
The incident at the greengrocer's
shop reads like an arrant affectation.
It was not. however. Whistler, as
usual. was merely most natural The |
following morning he posted his easel
1t the corner and painted the shop that
pleased him.
u