Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-31
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
BY ANTON CHEKHOv
THE SCANDAL

Il
(Anton Chekhov. 1ss0-1a04. was one
Of the most famous Russian writers be-
ing the author of many varied and fasci-
mating tales OF human nature. which IL
the same the world over.)
A teacher Sin a small college was
celebrating the marriage of his daugh-
ter with an elaborate wedding feast.
Being the master OF ceremonies, he
took the liberty of going into the kitch-
en- to make sure that all was ready Tor
the supper.
From floor to ceiling the kitchen
steamed with an aroma of geese. ducks
and countless other appetizing dishes.
Upon two tables could be seen, In ar
tistic disorder, the materials of a per-
fectly magnificent banquet. And Maria,
the cook, buXom woman OF very
large size, was busy about the table.
my dear woman, just let me LOOK
at the fish" begged the teacher. chuck
ling with anticipation and rubbing the
palms of his hands together. Sucn
delicious odorl 1t Is enough to make
one want to eat up the whole kitchen.
Please let me look at the fish,"
In response to this urgent request,
and since he was master anyway, Maria
uncovered platter on which reposeo
gigantic whitefish. garnished with cap
ers, olives and vegetables. The little
| teacher looked at the fish and almost
| melted with rapture. His countenance
beamed-his eyes seemed about TO pop
| out of their sockets. Then, leaning for
| ward, he made a sound with his lips
expressing his entire approval OF the de-
licious looking fish. Then he snapped
his fingers and smacked his lips again.
"Aha!" said voice. Il hear the
| sound of kiss Whom are you kissing
| there? Marfa?" 1t was Vanykin, col
| league of the poor teachers.
I'm not kissing any one" retorted
| the teacher. embarrassed. Why, the
| idea! I was just smacking my lips -
with delight as I saw this delicious
| fish"
Vanykin laughed and disappeared.
1.-The deuce!" thought the little teach
er. turning red. Now he will tell every
it's no such thing. The rumor WILL
| spread through the whole city"
Moving quietly into the hall, the
| teacher looked for Vanykin. Sure
| enough. there he was talking to an ell
DERBY woman who was smiling at the
/ story he was telling.
tits about me-" thought the teacher,
devil take the rascal! And she IS be-
| lieving him and laughing at me-: l
must do something Il cannot allow
such a lie to get about. I'll tell every
one the facts OF the incident and fore
stall Vanykin"
So the teacher walked over to one Of
| the guests to tell the story as it actually
happened.
81 was Just in the kitchen to see
about the supper" he said. land
funny thing happened. I was looking
| at delicious whitefish. ready to be
eaten-ah. delicious,-and I syllacked
my lips loudly. Just then in popped
that bad sheep. Vanykin, and says:
Aha! Caught in the act. You're kiss
| ing Maria the cook Such fooll
Imagine my kissing Marfa-why. she
looks as if-ugh. to kiss a thing like
her. Such dub"
Who's a dub?" asked some one else,
Just hearing the last.
"vanykin." said the teacher. "You
see. when I went into the kitchen"
and he told the story OF Maria and the
fish all over again.
Think OF II. Why. I'd Just as soon
kiss COW as kiss Maria" Then, the
teacher. turning round. saw another
| friend. We were just speaking of
Vanykin." he said. Such an idiot.
Pops into the kitchen, sees me near
Maria the cook and at once makes up
story about my kissing her. I said I'd
as soon kiss a turkey as kiss Maria
and reminded him that was a mar
ried man. Think of how silly his notion
| is, Ridiculous"
Whats ridiculous?" asked the rec
| tor. CHANGING near.
THAT chap, Vanykin." said the
| teacher. and he told the story Of Maria
and the fish again. In half an hour
nearly all the guests were fully informed
about the fish and its consequences.
Now let vanykin tell as many peo-
pie as he wishes" thought the teacher.
with great satisfaction. Just let him
try 1t, / have posted every one In ad-
vance and they won't believe him"
BY the next morning. indeed. the
teacher had completely forgotten the
! incident Of the fish. He had eaten so
much OF SO many good things that he
slept like log and felt ike 3 new man
when he awoke.
But the evil tongue had accomplished
It's work. and all OF the teachers cum
ming IN posting every one seemed 70
have been in vain. II was just a week
later that, on "Wednesday. when the
teacher was standing in the classroom
the director OF the college came In and
called him 70 one side
| My dear sir" said the director
solemnly. YOU must pardon NETS
really none of my business, but it Is nv
| duty. my Official duty. must speak 70
you NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. little affair
with your cook. OF course. II you kiss
your cook it's no ones business but
/ your own-out hereafter, / beg OF you
do not be 50 public about 1t, Remember
| your high calling and be discreet"
| A cold Shivsr ran down the teach
| erS SpHe and he lost his selt-co.n-
poSure. He flew home as though he
mad been St,iag by a huge swarm OF
bees or Scalded by caldron Of boiling
water. On the way he fancied the
whole city was staring at him as Il ~
| were tarred and feathered.
! Why don't YOU eats" asked his wife
at dinner. What are you dreaming
aooute Are You warming for your love.
Marfae You pagan. yout know