Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1909-12-09
1 WORK OF
ART
By ANTON TcHEcHoFF
by Snort Stories Co. M

his youthful face. entered the consult
ing room OF DR.. 1Koshelkoff.
All, dear youth" exclaimed the
doctor. how are you? What is the
good news?'
Confused and excited the young man
replied:
Doctor, my mother is sending her
regards. am her only son, you
know. You saved my life. Your
skill. We hardly know how to
thank you'll"
Say no more, dear boy!" said the
doctor. beaming with delight. 81 have
only done my duty. Anybody else
would have done the same"
Il am the only son of my mother.
we are poor, and, OF course, cannot
repay you for your labors as you have
deserved-and we feel It deeply. At
the same time my MOTHER am her
only son. doctor-my mother humbiy
begs you to accept as a token OF on
gratitude little statuette she values
very highly. 1t is a piece Of ANTIQUE
bronze. and a rare work of art"
| My good fellow" commenced the
physician.
No. doctor. you must not refuse. -
continued Alexander unfolding his par
eel You will deeply offend mother
and myself, too. It ie little beauty.
A rare antique. We have kept it in
memory of father. who was a dealer
In antique bronzes. My mother and
myself continue the business"
| Finally the youth succeeded in free
Ing his present from its wrappings.
and placed it ON the table with an
air OF great solemnity. 1t was a
moderately tall candelabrum of an
uque bronze and of artistic workman
ship. 1t represented two female fig
ures somewhat scantiiy attired, and
bearing an air of frivolity to describe
which | have neither the required
daring nor the temperament. The fig
ures smiled coquettishly, and looked
as IL they were ready to jump on the
moor and engage in some wild frolic,
were they not restrained by the task
OF supporting the candle holder.
The doctor regarded his present for
lew moments in silence, then
scratched his head and coughed irreso-
lutely.
! "A beauetiful article, to be sure" he
hnally said. But you know-what
shall l say? Why. It is hardly the
thing. you know. Talk of deshabille!
This is beyond the bonds of propriety.
The devil!"
"Ww-why?"
Now, how could l put a thing like
that on my table? 1t will corrupt nv
residence"
Doctor, you surprise me-" answered
Alexander, with an offended tone
what queer views of art. This is
a work of art! Look at it, What
beauty, what delicacy of workman
snip! 1t fills the soul with Joy mere
ly to look at 1t; it brings tears to ones
eyes. Observe the movement, the at
mosphere, the expressionl"
Il fully appreciate it. nv bow" in.
terrupted the physician. But Won
know | am a man OF family. have
children. A mother-in-law. Ladies
call here"
"Of course. II You look at II from
the point of view Of the Common herd
you might regard It in different light
But beg you to rise above the mob
your refusal will hurt the feelings of
my mother and myself. | am her
only son. You saved my life. We
are asking you to accept something
we hold very dear. only deplore the
iact that we have ne companion piece
to It."
Thank you. dear fellow, and thank
your mother. see that cannot rea.
son with you. But you should have
thought OF my children, you know. and
the ladies. But l fear you will moi
listen to arguments"
No use arguing. Doctor" replied
the grateful patient, made happy BY
the implied acceptance. you mt Il
right here, next to the Japanese vase
What pity have met pair. What
a pityi"
When his caller departed the doc
tor thoughtfully regarded his unwel
come present. He sssatchsd his head
and pondered.
1T Is an exquisite thing, without
doubt 1t would be a pity to throw
1t into the street. n Is quite limos
sible to leave 1t here. though. What
a dilemma to be in. To whom could
give itY How to get rid of it?"
Finally he bethought himself of IN,
hoff. dear friend of mis- school DAYS
and rising lawyer. who had lust sue
cessfully represented him In some
trifiing case.
Good" said the doctor. "As 8
friend he refused to charge me a fee
and it is perfectly proper that
should make him present. Besides
he is single man and tremendousl,
sporty.
Losing no time the doctor wrannef
up the candlestick and drove n
Ukhoff
There, old chap" he said 10th,
lawyer. whom he happily found a
home; there have come to thanl
you for that little favor. You refused
to charge me fee, but you must ac
cept this present in token OF my graft
tude. Look-what beauty"
On seeing the present the attorne,