def _get_jenks_config():
    """ retrieve the jenks configuration object """
    config_file = (get_configuration_file() or
                   os.path.expanduser(os.path.join("~", CONFIG_FILE_NAME)))

    if not os.path.exists(config_file):
        open(config_file, 'w').close()

    with open(config_file, 'r') as fh:
        return JenksData(
            yaml.load(fh.read()),
            write_method=generate_write_yaml_to_file(config_file)
        )
retrieve the jenks configuration object