The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-08-15
WHISTLER TALES.
Some Amusing PecuIiarities Of
the Eccentric Artist.
BARRING OUT BILL BEARERS.

Hs Knew the Knock Of Each Collector
ard the Amount Il Represented
london csbsiss Had Coed Reason to
Fight Shy Of the Erratie Genius.
There was a steady stream Of credi.
tors al the King street studio In those
days. says a writer IN the Century.
Whistler made no effort to conceal the
fact that he was deeply In debt One
cay as we were busily and silently
working there came loud business
like rap az the door, Whistler listened
attentively
"Psst" said be. "Thats one and
ten"
Within half an hour there was an
other rap. not quite so loud
Two and SIX" said whistler
"Psst!p
what on earth do you meant" /
asked after a time.
Zone pound ten shiliinas; two
pounds six shillings. Vulgar trades
men with their bills. colonel. They
want payment All, well" be 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, shat must
be all OF twenty. Poor fellow. ! really
must do something for him! So sorry
I'm not In"
/ could not take the situation so
placidly and seized eagerly the frst
opportunity Of financial aid that pre-
scented itself. a rich American. So
journing Ia 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
etchiugs. unquestionably be win
make FOR you a selection I'll speak to
him" told him. and hurried back
with the good news.
Whistler was delighted, and for
day worked buslly. overhanling aud
sorting his proofs The selection was
a splendid one and called for a 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 it. For while
! expostulated in vain.
"Coine. 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 we'll" said he. laying down his
brush, with a sigh, Now wen 60"
"Why we?" ! replied. Il don't want
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
y we stood 10 front Of the house sig /
Mailing a cab.
One came mp readily enough, but,
after one scrutinlzlng look upon the
eabby's part, drove swiftly by; an
,ther went through the same strange
| looked questioningIy at
" histler--thls odd circumstance had
happened before we were together
tut Wnlssier was calmly signaling. At
ength A cahby took Us In.
Whistler always carried as walk
ng srick a long. slender wand, sort
Il mahlsticg. nearly three-cuarters 4
II his own height. We were 40 sooner
eatsd than ne began poking bis stick 4
Is ne horse. The animal reared.
,lnnsad wildly and started doHn the
-tFseE st a braakaeak gallon, while the
sIenisked cabby swgse freely and
ugged desperately at fhs reins.
Whistler looked ca saiy ahead and kept
.oEing
Butcher boys and grocer boys made
gild leaps f7r safety; outraged eabbies
whipped sheie horses ont Of the way
ust in time; burly dsaymen bawled
urses after rs. and still We went
aefrily on. Little wonder. thought I.
4 the midst OF my Amusement and
esenfmeRt, that Whistler never gets
be same cab twice.
Suddenly be began waving bis cane
nd shouting whoa he took the
cabby severely 10 task for
irving 50 fast upon the public high !