The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-02-04
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WHISTLER TALES.
Some Amusing PecuIiarites of
the Eccentric Artist.
BARRING OUT BILL BEARERS.

There was a steady stream of credi-
tors at the King street studio in those
days, says al writer in the Century
Whistler made no effort to conceal the
TACT that he was deeply In debt. one
lay as we Were busily and silently
working there came u loud business
Ike rap at the door Whistler listened
attentively.
"Psst!" said ne. That's one aud
ten -
Within hiatt an hour there was an
other rap, not quite so loud.
1.-Two and six" said Whistler.
"Psst! -
What on earth do you mean?" /
asked after a time.
zone pound ten shillings; two
pounds six shillings. Vulgar trades
men with their bills. colonel. They
want paymeHE All, well!" he sighed
with an exaggerated air of sadness
and returnedAto his canvas.
Then came. another knock, a most.
gentle, insinqafing rap.
Dear me" ,said Whistler, that must
be all of twentyt Poor fellow, really
must do something for him! So sorry
I'm not in"
4 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. Internationally he will
make for youca selection. I'll speak to
him" / 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
splendid one and called for a sub
Rtantial payment. 1t was arranged
that Whistler Should meet the pur-
chaser at bank in Queen street the
following morning. land 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 u new canvas, and was
completely absorbed In it. For while
/ expostulated in vain.
Come, Whistler I 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,
every xyaII j said no In x,;po DOW, r.
brush, with a. sigh. Now Well CO."
"Why wer',I replied. 81 don't want |
to Co." protested firmly To tell the
truth, was. LOOKING forward, with a
great deal of;con1fort 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.1
One came :up readily enough, but,
after one scfutinizing look upon the
cabby's part drove swiftly by; an
other went through the same strange
Il looked questioningly at
odd circumstance had
happened before we were together
but Whistler was calmly signaling. At
length cabby took us in.
Whistler always carried as "a walk
Ing stick a long. slender wand, a sort t
or mahlstick, nearly three-quarters
or his own height. We were no sooner
seated than he began poking his stick
nc 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
poSing. >~ ...... 49,.
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 i,
In the midst of my Amusement and
resentment, that Whistler never gets
the same cab twice.
Suddenly he began waving his cane
and shouting ''Whoav' He took the
cabby severely to task for
driving so fast upon the pubic high
way and ordered him back to a corner
we had just passed.
Here greengrocer's shop, with its
orderly and colorful array of fruits
and vegetables, had caught Whistler's Il
aye as we whirled byF He surveyed it
critically now from two different po-
the caDby merely obeying his
orders, under the. belief, l presume,
that 1t was policy to humor a lunatic.
isn't It beautiful" exclaimed Whis-
Ter. He pointed his long cane at one
corner. 81 believe IL. have that crate
of oranges moved over there-against
that background of green. Yes, that's
better" he added contentedly
We drove ON to the bank. where we
found the American pacing up and
down In no pleasant frame Of mind;
but Whistler soon had him pacified,
and we left him waving and smiling
adieus at us.
The incident at the greengrocer's
shop reads like an arrant affectation.
[t was not, however. Whistler. as 1
usual, was merely most natural The
following morning he posted his easel
at the corner and painted the shop that
pleased him