Evening star., 1927-10-07
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
BY ANTON CHEKHOV
A WORK OF ART

Of the Russian masters raster & of the short story;
hs vas born In is80 bssd died In not 1904 ,n His
in America. He studied to be a doctor. but
never practiced medicine: dsvoting all Of
compsehen.ive; The present story is one Of
the best Of his tales.)
Holding under his arm an object
wrapped in an old newspaper, Sasha
Smirnov. the only son of his mother,
walked neGvously into the office of
DR.. Koshelkov.
well, my dear boy" greeted the
! doctor warmly, ''how do you feel to-
day? What's the good word?"
Sasha began to blink. put his hand
over his heart. and stammered out:
My mother sends her regards and
wishes to thank you - for 1 am my
mothers only son, and you saved my
| life"
Come. my young friend, let us not
speak Of it," interrupted the doctor.
1T was my duty"
But l am my mothers only son.
We are poor and cannot pay you for
your services, which makes it very
very embarrassing for us. But we
wish you to accept a token of our
gratitude-this object-of rare worth
"a masterpiece in antique bronze"
The doctor smiled uncomfOrtably.
My dear friend, 1t is quite unneces-
sary."
II beg you please accept it," insisted
Sasha, who began to unwrap the
bundle You will offend my mother
and myself by refusing. This is a
very rare work of art-a relic left by
my dead father. We always priced it
highly My father was dealer of
sorts in old bronze, and my mother
and l carry on that little business"
The bronze was a low candelabrum
depicting a group-two nymphs en-
bracing and smiling cOquettishly. The
doctor gazed on the gift. slowly
scratched his head, cleared his throat,
and blew his nose. "Yes, indeed he
murmured. "a very pretty piece of
work. But-how shall 1 say lt?-a
haps immoral?"
"Why, doctor, what a strange idea
YOU have of art" protested Sasha.
This is a real masterpiece. Just look
at it.'
II quite understand" said the doc
tor, "but my position is respectable
one. you know. People come in and
out here all the time. What would
they think?"
"Of course, looking at it with the
eyes of the rabble," Sasha acknoWl-
edged. "But for yourself, doctor, ac-
cept it. We only regret that we are
unable to give you, as well, the mate
Of this piece"
"Oh, thanks" mumbled the doctor.
Remember me to your mother"
"Fine," said Sasha. isn't it a pity
you haven't it's mate? Well, it can't
be helped. Good-by."
The doctor gazed at the gift long
time. 1T is indeed beautiful" he
thought 'Too good to throw away,
and yet can hardly keep it. 1 won
der to whom might give it?'
At last he thought of lawyer
friend. Just the man." he thought.
He's single and something Of a gay
bird, too"
| AS soon as the lawyer caught
sight of it he was eXhiliarated with
| it's beauty.
what a wonderful work OF art,'
he laughed delightedly. "Ye gods.
what conceptions artists will get into
their heads. What alluring charm this
has! Where did you get this little
masterpiece, my friend?"
| But the lawyers eXhilaration oozed
away after q time and he became a
little alarmed. He looked stealthily
| tOWdTU Tie uOOT, tiIlOSt dSIdIIlcu tiidI
he might be caught admiring this
work of art.
Sorry, but can't accept it. old
| chap" he said. "You must take it
| back I'm truly sorry"
"But why?" asked the doctor. alarm
| ed at this refusal.
"Bacause-because- you see
it's like this. My mother visits me
here. and then there are my clients.
And, besides, 1 would be thought an