Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-09-09
WHISTLER TALES.
Some Amusing PecuIiarities Of
the Eccentric Artist.
BARRING OUT BILL BEARERS.
He Knew the Knock Of Each Collector
and the Amount II Represented.
London Csbbiss Had Good Reason to
Fight Shy of the Erratic Genius.


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 listened
attentively.
"Psstw said he. That's one and
ten"
Within half an hour there was an
other rap, not quite so loud.
Two sand SIX" said Whistler
"Psstw
What on earth do you meanT' l
asked after a time.
"One pound ten shillings; two
pounds six shillings. Vulgar trades
men with their bills, colonel. They
want payment. All, well!' 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, | 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
journing In London, asked me what
ha ap1II hacn 3
him In the way Of art.
"By all means get a set of Whistler's
| etchings. Unquestionably he will
make for you selection. III speak to
him" told him, and hurried back
with the good news.
Whistler was delighted, and for a
day worked busily, overhauling aud
sorting his proofs. The selection was
| a splendid one and called for Il 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 new canvas, and was
completely absorbed in it. For a while
l 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 60"
"Why WEI" l replied. II don't want
to CO." 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
cabby's part, drove swiftly by; an
other went through the same strange
proceedings. l looked questioningly al
Whistler-this odd circumstance had
happened before we were together
but Whistler was calmly signaling. Al
length cabby took us in.
Whistler always carried as a walk
ing stick long. slender wand, a 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 thu
street at breakneck gallop, while tn,
astonished cabby swore freely and
tugged desperately at the reins
Whistler looked calmly ahead and KEEP
poking.
Butcher boys and grocer boys made
wild leaps for safety; outraged cabbie'
whipped their horses out of the way
just in time; burly draymen bawlet
curses after us, and still we Wen
merrily on. Little wonder, thought
In the midst Of my amazement ant
resentment, that Whistler never get
the same cab twice.
Suddenly he began waving his cam
and shouting "Whoar He took th,
astonished cabby severely to task TO
driving so fast upon the public high
way and ordered him back to a corne
we had just passed.
Here greengrocer's shop, with it
orderly and colorful array of fruit
and vegetables, had caught Whistler
eye as we whirled by. He surveyed
critically now from two different pc
Eitions. the cabby merely obeying hi
orders, under the belief, l presume
that 1t was policy to humor lunatic.
isn't 1t beautiful" exclaimed Whis
tier. He pointed his long cane at on
corner. IL believe I'll have that crat
of oranges moved over there-agains
that background Of green. Yes, that
better" he added contentedly.
We drove ON to the bank, where w
found the American pacing up an
down In no pleasant frame of mind
but Whistler soon had him pacifie(
and we left him waving and smilin
adieus at us.
The incident at the greengrocer
shop reads like an arrant affectatioi
1t was not, however. Whistler, n
usual, was merely most natural. Th
following morning he posted his eas'
at the corner and painted the shop tn;
| Dleased him.