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Story
October 31, 1898
The Paducah Daily Sun
Paducah, Mccracken County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
Humorous anecdote linking Mark Twain's denial of debt rumors to similar witty evasions by Artemus Ward and James Whistler, who refused creditors' propositions, famously retorting that the difficulties were theirs, not his.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
HADN'T PAID HIS DEBTS.
A Libel on Mark Twain-Difficulties of Whistler's Creditors
The recent cablegram Mark Twain sent to the effect that the report concerning him is all a lie and he has not paid his debts recalls the jests of other great wits. Artemus Ward used to put at the bottom of his programmes: N. B. Mr. Ward will pay no bill of his own contracting. For that matter, neither would Whistler, the eccentric artist. A few years ago the creditors of the genius had a meeting and submitted to him a proposition which was refused. Another meeting resulted in another proposition and Mr. Whistler likewise refused to consider that. "But, Mr. Whistler," at last spoke up one exasperated business man, "we are merely trying to get you out of your difficulties."
"My difficulties!" Whistler replied in great astonishment, "my difficulties, did I understand you to say? Why, gentlemen, these are not my difficulties, they are yours."
A Libel on Mark Twain-Difficulties of Whistler's Creditors
The recent cablegram Mark Twain sent to the effect that the report concerning him is all a lie and he has not paid his debts recalls the jests of other great wits. Artemus Ward used to put at the bottom of his programmes: N. B. Mr. Ward will pay no bill of his own contracting. For that matter, neither would Whistler, the eccentric artist. A few years ago the creditors of the genius had a meeting and submitted to him a proposition which was refused. Another meeting resulted in another proposition and Mr. Whistler likewise refused to consider that. "But, Mr. Whistler," at last spoke up one exasperated business man, "we are merely trying to get you out of your difficulties."
"My difficulties!" Whistler replied in great astonishment, "my difficulties, did I understand you to say? Why, gentlemen, these are not my difficulties, they are yours."
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Deception
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Mark Twain Debts
Artemus Ward Jest
Whistler Creditors
Witty Refusal
Eccentric Artist
What entities or persons were involved?
Mark Twain
Artemus Ward
Whistler
Story Details
Key Persons
Mark Twain
Artemus Ward
Whistler
Event Date
A Few Years Ago
Story Details
Mark Twain denies debt rumors via cablegram, recalling Artemus Ward's program note refusing to pay bills and Whistler's refusal of creditors' propositions, quipping that the difficulties belong to the creditors.