The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-11-18
GAS WAT T E RS
TURKEY " " "
A Story of Art and Thanks
giving Dinner

ing day as it should be celebrated, with
all the proper accompaniment. But
the trouble was that Caswatter did not
know just exactly where the money
was to come from With rare provi-
dence he had set apart a five-dollar bill
from the sale of his "Prometheus," but
the coal had run out and more had to
be bought.
Never mind" said Caswatter, "I'n
take that Autumn Sunset down to
Perdigan tomorrow. I'd made up my
mind that I'd keep it if / couldn't get
500 for it, but if Perdigan wants it
| for $50 he can have it,
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" It was
masterpiece. Solitude" Cleaning"
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.
On the Oath Caswatter took the "Au-
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
1t nevertheless.
He went upstairs to his attic studio
| 10 i,, ~
agitation. He was an artist, but he
was also 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 gnawed
his beard his eye fell upon Solitude
and he made a 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:
"Well, 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"
II suppose you wouldn't care to I'D
vance me a 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 nam
moth turkey Then the idea took hin
and he forgot his woes. Gradually the
turkey took shape and form and eel
cry glass topped with fringing bou
quet of stalks and leaves, appeared be
side it; then bowl and background
of pies. He drew up his stool closer
and began to spread on the color ant
worked more and more feverishly unit
the waning light forced him to desist
Early on the morning of the 25th h
arose and attacked his "Barcemide,
Feast" with undiminished fury. By L
o'clock 1t was finished. He took it dowl
into the little dining room, set it OF
the mantelpiece and then called Mrs
Caswatter to look at it. There's you
Thanksgiving dinner" he said. "Wel
: look at that and imagine it's real"
Mrs. Caswatter was visibly i'm
pressed. What genius you are!
she said, admiringly. THAT turke.
looks as if it had just been taken from
the oven. 1 can smell it. And tn
, cranberry sauce!"
At IL o'clock Mrs. Caswatter Tape,
/. at her husbands door. "My DEAR" sh
said, 81 hate to disturb you, but MI
Tublin, the grocer, is down below. HI
/ said he's called for the balance of hi
7 account. I told him you were busy
but he said he'd like to see you, an,
he'd wait"
Caswatter groaned "Well, I'll b
I. right down, DEAR" he said.
When he went downstairs he fount
Tublin in the dining-room standing be
t fore the turkey picture, open-mouthe,
, with admiration.
"a fine picture, that, sir" he said
g with feeling.
About that balance. How much /
it?" asked the artist.
: "It's only $685." replied the grocer
g "I was just passing and-I never seel
: prettier piece of work than that. til
I make a dandy thing for my window.
e "You look in next week some tim
;, and I'll pay you,'' said Caswatter.
r Much obliged" said the grocer, ali
Y sently. Nov, that picture-I wonde
where / could buy one like it?"
"You can have that for $40 bill,
said Caswatter.
The grocer instantly produced ia
pocketbook and, taking out bill, lai
it on the table and advanced to the pic
ture.
Here, it's wet yet" said Caswattel
$50 it u.s." said the grocer. "Well,
must handle it carefully. That's goin
to help trade this afternoon and thi
evening. Good evening, Mr.. Casual
ter"
Caswatter looked at the $40 bill o
the table. Then he smote his fore
head