The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-05-11

ard "Take it away" Numbered the
chief take it away, sir il shall never
be said that my table sets such an exam.
ple of luxury and extravaganza" Poor
| Francis lrembliDgly obeyed, apd the first
shad of the season was removed un
touched, 10 be speedily discussed by the
lcourmands of the servants hall ~,
The CHEF C0ok.-This celebrated ar.
tist. as he would have been termed in
| modern parlance, was named Hercules,
famillarIytermed Uncle Harkless. Train,
d in the mysteries of his art from early
youth, and in tho palmy days of Virginia,
when her thousand chimpeys smoked to
lind icate the generous hospitality that
reipned throughout the whole length aud
breadth of her wide domain, Uncle Hark.
less was, at the period of the first Presi-
dency, as highly accomplished pro.
ficient in the culinary art as could be
found in the United States. He was a
dark brown man. little if any above the
usual size, yet possessed Of such great
muscular power as To enltle him to be
compared with his namesake offabulous
history. t.r..u..
The Chief Cook gloried in the cleanli-
ness aud nicely of his kitchen. Under
| his iron discipline, wo to his underlings
| lfspeck or spot could be discovered on
the table or dressers, or if utensils did not
shine like polished silver. With the
luckless wights who had offended in those
particulars there was no arrest of judg-
ment, and execution went hand in hand,
The Steward, and indeed the whole
household, treated the Chief Cook with
much respect, as we'll for his valuable
services as for his general good character
and pleasing manners.
{ 1t was while preparing the Thursday
or Congress Dinner that Uncle Harhless
shone in all his splendor. During his
labors upon this banquet he required
some half dozen aprons and napkins out
of number. 1t was surprising the order
and discipline that was observed in so
5ustipg scene. His nnderlings few in
all directions to execute his orders, while
he, the great master.spirit, seemed to
possess the power of ubquity, aud to be-
everywhere atthe same moment.
When the Steward, in snow-white
apron, silk shorts and stockings. and hair
in full powGer placed the last dish on
the table, the clock being on the stroke
four. ceased "lhe labors of Hercules" 4"
| While the masters of the republic were
engaged in discussing the savory viands
Of the Congress Dinner, the Chief Cook
retired to make his toilet for an evening
promenade. His perquisites from the
slops of the kitchen were from one To
two hundred dollars year. Though
homely in person, he lavished the most of
these large ayais upon dress. In making
his toilet his linen was of unexception.
able quality and whileness. then black
/ silk shorts, tlilto waistcoat, ditto stock.
/ iugs. SHOES hfgiily polished, with large
buckles covering Il considerable part of
+ the foot, blue cloth coat with velvet col,
lar and bright metal buttons, "a long watch
, chain dangling fiom his fob, cooked hat
and gold.headed cane completed the
3 grand costume Of the celebrated dandy
4 Ifor there we're dandies in those days. oI
, the Presidents kitchen
) Thus arrayed, the Chief Cook invari-
Y ably passed out al the front door, the
, Porter makinga low bow, which was
: promptly returned Joining his brother
, loungers of the pave he proceeded W
3 Market street, attracting considerable
3 attention, Market street being, in the old
v times, the resort where fashionables "diC
most congregate." Many were not lit
tie surprised on beholding so eAtraordi
: nary aperSonage, while others who knew
him would make formal and respectful
t bow, that they might receive in return
: the salute of one of the most polished gen
tlemen and the veriest dandy Of nearly
j sixty years ago.
Ihe Codchman,-YJohn Fagan, by
: birth a Hessian, tall and burly in person
G was all accomplished coachman in every
I respect. He understood the mechanism
5 OF carriage, aud could take to pieces
e and put together again all the parts
4 should ne meet with any accident on hi
= road. He drove the President the whole
tour ofthe then United States, from Ports
: mouth to Savannah, in the white chario
built by Clarke, of Philadelphia, wilhou
the slightest accident OF misfortune hap
!, pening in so long journey. !, .+r,,.
d On the Presidents return Clarke wa
d in attendance to learn the success of wha
!, he deemed his masterpiece of coach
if making No sooner had the horses stop
9 ped at the doorof the Presidential Man
o sion than the anxious coachmaker wa
Il under the body pfthe white chariot, ex
It aminIng every thing with careful ant
critical eye, till Pagan shouted from tn,
n box, IAN right, Mr. Clarke; all right
8 sir nota bolt or screw started in lon,
IS Journey and over the DEVILS own roads,
it The delighted mechanic now found hi
o hand grasped in that of the President
j. who compfmenled him upon his work
0 manship, assuring him that it had beef
s sufficiently tested in great variety o
h very bad roads. Clarke the happiest o
" men, repaired to his shop, in Sixth stree
where he informed his people of the sue
is cess of the white chariot the account o
d which he had received from The Presi
N dents own lips, when the day ended il
e a jolifcation at the coscbmaksr's
}, John hrause Succeed Pagan. HI