Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1910-08-13
WHISTLER TALES.
Some Amusing PecuIiarities of
 the Eccentric Artist.
6ARRING OUT BILL BEARERS.
He Knew the Knock of Each Collector and the Amount It Represented. London CsSbies Had Good Reason to Fight Shy Of the Erratic Genius.


 London csSbies Had Good Reason to Fight Shy Of the Erratic Genius. There was q steady stream of crcdi- tors at the Ku% street studio in those days, says writer ill the Century Whistler made no effort to conceal the fact that lie was deeply in debt One .ay as we were busily and silently working there came loud business like rap at the door. Whistler lstclAd 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. "Psst."
 What on earth do you mcan?" l asked after time.
 One pound ten shillings; two pounds six shillings. Vulgar trades men with their bills, colonel. They want payment. Ah, we'll" he sighed with an exaggerated air of sadness and returned Go his canvas.
 Then came another knock, 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"
 1 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 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 a selection. I'll speak to him. 1 told him, and hurried back with the good news.
 Whistler was delighted, and for day worked busily, overhauling 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 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 q new canvas, and was completely absorbed in it. For while 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 a sigh. Now we'll go"
 ''Why wei" replied. II don't want truth. I was looking forward with a great deal of comfort to 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 q cab.
 | One came up readily enough, but, after one scrutiniZing look upon the caDby's part, drove swiftly by; an other went through the same strange proceedings. 1 looked quest!oningly 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 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 tht 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 draynen bawle( curses after us, and still we wen merrily on. Little wonder. thought l in the midst of my amaZement an( resentment. that Whistler never get the same cab twice.
 Suddenly he began waving his cant and >h uting ''Whoa" He took tht astoni> Avd cabby severely to task fol drivin- so fast upon the public high way aNd ordered him back to corner We h;;d just passed.
 Here d greengrocer's shop. with it orderly and colorful array of fruit! and vegetables. had caught Whistler eye as we whirled by. He surveyed i critically now from two different DO sitions. the cabby merely obeying hi orders, under the belief, 1 presume that it was policy to humor lunatic.
 Isn't il oeautiful" exclaimed Whis tier. He pointed his long cane at on' corner. "I Believe I'll have that crat' of oranges moved over there-agains that back. round of green. Yes. that better" he added contentedly.
 We drove on to the bank. where WI found the American pacing up ant down in 10 pleasant frame of mind but Whistler soon had him pacified