The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1910-01-06
A WORK OF
ART
b. ANTON TCHECHOFF
Copyright, by Short Stories Co., Ltd.

In newspaper, an angellc smile on
his youthful face. entered the consult
ing room of Dr. Koshelkoff
"Ah, 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,"
Say no more, dear boy" said the
doctor, beaming with delight Il 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 humbly
begs you to accept as token OF our
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.
mo, doctor, you must not refuse,
continued Alexander unfolding his par
Gel. You will deeply offend mother
and myself, too. 1t is 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 It was a
moderately tall candelabrum OF an
tique bronze and of artistic workman
ship. 1t represented two female fig
ures somewhat scantily 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 If they were ready to jump on the
floor and engage in some wild frolic,
were they not restrained by the task
of supporting the candle holder
The doctor regarded his present FOR
few moments in silence. then
scratched his head and coughed irresO-
lutely.
"A beauetiful article, to be sure" he
finally said But you know-what
shall | say? Why, it is hardly the
thing. you know. Talk of deshabille,
10, hn ,,p,,
The devil"
"W-w-why?"
Now, how could | put a thing like
that on my table? 1t win corrupt my
residence"
Doctor, you surprise answered
Alexander, with an offended tone.
What queer views of art, This is
work of art! Look at it! What
beauty, what delicacy of workman.
ship! 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 eXpression!"
Il fully appreciate it, my boy" in.
terrupted the physician. But you
know am man of family. | have
children. A mother-inlaw. Ladies
call here"
"Of course, if you look at ii from
the point of view of the common herd
you might regard 1t in a 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
fact that we have no 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
listen to arguments"
No use arguing. DOCTOR" replied
the grateful patient. made happy by
the implied acceptance. You put it
right here. next to the Japanese vase
What pity | have not pair. What
a pity"
When his caller departed the doe
tor thoughtfully regarded his unwel.
come present He scratched his head
and pondered,
1T Is an exquisite thing without
doubt 1t would be pity to throw
1t into the street. 1t is quite impos
sible to leave it here, though What
a dilemma to be in To whom could
! give 1t? How to get rid of it,"
Finally he bethought himself of Tx
hoff, dear friend of his school days.
and rising lawyer, who had just sue
cessfully represented him in some
trifling case
Good" said the doctor AS
friend he refused to charge me "A fee
and it is perfectly proper that
should make him present. Besides
he is a single man and tremendously
sporty.
Losing no time the doctor wrapped
up the candlestick and drove TO
Ukhoff
There. old chap" he said to the
lawyer whom he happily found at
home; there | have come to thank
you for that little favor You refused
to charge me a fee, but you must &C.
cept this present in token OF my graft.
tude. Look-what a beauty"
On seeing the present the attorney
was transfixed with delight
This beats everything" he fairly
howled. Hang It all, what inventive