The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-09-07
WHISTLER TALES,
Some Amusing PecuIiarities 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
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 busily and silently
working there came a 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.
"Psstv
What on 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 All, WELT" 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, I really
must do something for him! So sorry
I'm not In"
l could not take the situation so
placidly and seized eagerly the first
opportunity Of financial aid that pre-
sented itself. A rich American, So
J0urn1ng 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 q
day worked busily, overhauling aud
sorting his proofs. The selection was
a splendid one and called for q 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 1t. For a while
l expostulated in vain.
"Come. Whistler" l said finally, "you
have been away from America 30 long
that you don't appreciate the value of
time to the traveller, particularly the
American traveller. You must Lot keep
the man waiting"
VERY WELL" said he. laying down his
brush. with sigh. Now Wen CO."
"Why WEI" l replied. II don't want
to Co." l 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
ly we stood in front of the house sig.
mailing a 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 Questioningly at
Whistler-this odd circumstance had
happened before we were together
but Whistler was calmly signr ling. At
length a cabby took us in.
Whistler always carried as a walk
Ing stick a long. slender wand. a 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 l,
in the midst Of my amazement and
resentment, that Whistler never gets
the same cab twice.
Suddenly he began waving his cane
and shouting "Whoay' He took the
astonished cabby severely to task for
driving so fast upon the public high
way and ordered him back TO q corner
we had just passed.
Here 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-
sitions. the cabby merely obeying his
orders, under the belief. l presume.
that 1t was policy to humor a lunatic.
Isn't 1t beautifulw exclaimed Whis.
tier. He pointed his long cane at one
corner ~ believe I'll have that crate
OF oranges moved over there--against
that background OF green. Yes. that's
haffnr no ndInH CON toy taIly