Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1910-12-18
WHISTLER TALES.
Some Amusing Pecu|iarities of
 the Eccentric Artist.
BARRING OUT BILL BEARERS.

London Csbbies Had Good Reason to
 Fight 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 buslly and silently working there came a loud business. like rap at the door. Whistler listensd attentively.
 "Psst" said he. "Thats one and ten"
 Within half an hour there was an- other rap, not quite so loud
 Two and six." said Whistler. "Psstp
 What ou earth do you mean" asked after a 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, insinuat1ng 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."
 placidly and seized eagerly the first opportunity of financial aid that pre- scented itself. A rich American, so- journing in London. asked me what l he could purchase and take back with him in the way of art
 By all means ret a set of Whistler's stchings. UAQuestionably he will him." told him. and hurried back with the good news.
 Whistler was delighted, and for a jay worked busily. overhauling and sorting his proofs. The selection was a splendid one and called for . sub stantial payment It was arranged that Whistler should meet the pur- chaser at . bank in Queen street the following morning and recaive his cheek.
 l Most men under tho circumstances would have thought of little else, but by the next moaning Whistler had wholly forgotten his engagement. He had begun a new canvas. and was completely absorbed in it. For a while expostulated in vain. l Come. Whistler" said finally, you nave 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 we'll" said he, laying down his brush, with a sigh. 'Now we'll go."
 "Why wei" replied. q don't want to go." protested firmly. To tell the truth. was looking forward with great deal of comfort to 2 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 cabbys part, drove swiftly by: an- other went through the same strange proceedings. looked questoningly 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 8 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 kep< joking.
 Butcher boys and grocer hoys mads wild leaps for safety: ootraS.d cabbaes whipped their horsas ous .f tho way just in dime: buxiy draysaen bawled curses after us. and still we went merr1ly on. Lattis wonder. thought l. In tho midst et my amasen'ent and resentment, that WAktler never gets the same cob twice
 BuddeAly Ae bagaA waving Ab cane and shouting Whoa He took the astoaashed cabby severely to task for driving e fast upon the pubic high way and ordsesd him back to corner we had just paaoaA
 Herr . gfsengsseeFS shop. with its orderly and eoloefA array e fEults and vegetablss. had caught Wh1stlers eye a ve whiylsd bj. He suFvsged 1t critically nov from two different po- sitions. the eabby merely obeying his orders. under the beaief. presume. that 1t was policy to humor lunatic.
 Isn't 1t beautiful!- exclaimed Whls tier. Hs pointed his long cane at one corner. 'I believe m have that crate sf oranges moved over there against that background of green. Yes. that's better" he added contentedly.
 We drove CD to the bank. where we found the American pacing up and down in no pleasant frame of mind;