Iron County register., 1904-11-24
GAS WATT E RS
TURKEY " " <
A Story of Art and a Thanks
giving Dinner

the trouble was that Caswatter did not
was to come from. With rare provi-
dence he had set apart fiye-dollar bill
from the sale of his "Prometheus," but
the coal had run out and more had to
be bought.
Never mind" said Caswatter, "Tll
take that Autumn Sunset down to
Perdigan tomorrow. I'd made up my
mind that I'd keep it if l couldn't get
$1OO for it, but if Perdigan wants it
for $50 he can have ii"
Mrs. Caswatter almost wept, for she
knew how much her artist husband
thought of that Autumn Sunset" He
would almost rather have parted with
his Solitude" or his Cleaning" or
his Achilles in His Tent" 1t was a
masterpiece. Solitude" "Gloaming"
and Achilles" were also masterpieces.
There were few things that Caswatter
painted that were not masterpieces.
The great difficulty was that they
would not sell.
But then," Caswatter would say, 81
don't paint to SELL 1t is my misfortune
that l believe in art. | follow my
ideals as Michael Angelo, Guido and
Burne-Jones followed theirs. l suffer
from neglect now, but the time will
come when l shall be recognized"
On the oath Caswatter took the eau
tumn Sunset" under his arm and Of
fered it to Perdigan. But Perdigan de-
clined to give him the $50 for it. In
fact, he wouldn't have it at any price.
Caswatter bore his disappointment
with an air of Indifference, but he felt
it nevertheless and it was with a rueful
face that he met Mrs. Caswatter on his
return.
He went upstairs to his attic studio
and began to pace the floor in great
agitation. He was an artist, but he
was also a father, and the thought of
little Leonard's disappointment when
invited to sit down to pork chops was
maddening, and the pork chops seemed
inevitable. AS he walked and gtawed
his beard his eye fell upon Solitude"
and he made sudden resolve. He
would have that Thanksgiving dinner
at all costs. He wrapped the picture
carefully in the paper that he had Just
taken off AN Autumn Sunset and
started out.
Perdigan looked at it with his under
lip pushed out and said
We'll, I'd like to make you an offer
for it, but-you see, it isn't the sort
of thing that sells. I'll tell you, though,
if you would like to leave it here I'll
do the best can with it on a commits
sion"
Il suppose you wouldn't care to ad-
vance me 9 little on it," said Caswat-
ter.
"Why, I'd like to, but you know
that's altogether against our rules"
I'll leave it," said Caswatter.
Caswatter went back to his studio
and did some more walking. Usually
he dismissed household cares easily
from his mind, but this dinner he had
counted on so surely. He could see it
actually see it, He laughed savagely
and, sitting down before his easel, be-
gan to sketch the outlines of man.
moth turkey. Then the idea took him
and he forgot his woes. Gradually the
turkey took shape and form and cell
cry glass topped with a fringing bou-
quet of stalks and leaves, appeared be-
side it; then bowl and a background
of pies. He drew up his stool closer
and began to spread on the color and
worked more and more feverishly until
the waning light forced him to desist.
Early on the morning of the 25th he
arose and attacked his "Barcemide's
Feast" with undiminished fury. By II
O'Clock it was finished. He took it down
into the little dining room, set it on
the mantelpiece and then called Mrs.
Caswatter to look at it. There's your
Thanksgiving dinner" he said well
look at that and imagine it's real"
Mrs. Caswatter was visibly i'm
pressed. What genius you are!"
she said, admiringly. That turkey
looks as if it had just been taken from
the oven. can smell it. And the
cranberry sauce!"
At u o'clock Mrs. Caswatter tapped
at her husbands door. "My dear" she
said, 81 hate to disturb you, but Mr..
Tubin, the grocer, is down below. He
said he's called for the balance of his
account. I told him you were busy,
but he said he'd like to see you, and
he'd wait"
Caswatter groaaed. "Well, III be
right dowS, DEAR" he said
When he went downstairs he found
Tublin in the dining-room standing be-
fore the turkey picture, open-mouthed
with admiration.
"A fine picture, that, sir" he said,
with feeling.
about that balance How muGh is
it," asked the artist
"It's only $685." replied the grocer.
II was just passing and--I never seen
a prettier piece of work than that. It'll
make a dandy thing for my window"
"You look in next week some time
and I'll pay you," said Caswatter.
Much obliged" said the grocer, alb
sentlX Nov, that picture-I wonder
where l could buy one like it?"
You can have, that for $40 BILL"
said Caswatter.
The grocer instantly produced fat
pocketbook and, taking out bill, laid
it on the table and advanced to the pic
ture.
Here, it's wet yet" said Caswatter.
so it is," said the grocer. well, |
must handle it carefully. That's going
to help trade this afternoon and this
evening. Good evening, Mr.. Caswat-
ter"
Caswatter looked at the $40 bill on
the table. Then he smote his fore
head
"Oh, art!" he cried, in anguish.