Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-05-28
THE POOR CLOCK MAKER.

About ten years since, there lived in Par
Is a celebrated culinary artist-M. Ca,eme
Not only was he profoundly and scientfcall,
skilled in all the mysteries of the cuisine, bu
he also possessed cultivated mind, live
ly imagination, and a warm, generous heart
Why he would say, should there not be a,
the institute, professor of culinary as wei
as oforganic chemistry! Surely the former
is neither less interesting nor less usefulp
/ This foible, if it can be called so, was tba,
of regarding grastronomy as the first of the
arts; meditating on the combination of a
sauce, or pursuing the solution of culinary
problem, with all the seriousness and ardor
of a Newton when employed in inyestipa-
ting the laws Of the universe.
Careme was charming companion. and
an exceedingly well-bred man. Wearing a
grey hat with his hands plunged in his coat
pockets, he might be frequently seen on the
Boulevards, strolling, without much apparent
object, save that of finding amusemepts in
any passing incident.
One evening. having rambled near the
Boulevard of the Temple, he paused before
small, low. tumble down house, with broken
windows, and without door. The aperture
was partly shaded by ragged red curtain,
and an unin,eligible daub. in the shape of
showmans painting. No light was visible,
although the evening was advanced. At
length he perceived, at the farthest extremi-
ty OF the room, man seated, with his face
buried in his hands.
'Hailo' cried Careme, 'is your exhibition
to be seen, Monsieur?'
Twice he repeated his question before the
man seemed to hear. Atlength he rose, ad-
vanced to the door, and said
Monsieur, have no money to purchase
candlcsr
Oh! Cont let that be hndrance,' said the
good-natured artist; 'here's silver for you. |
moan to treat myself to a sight of your exhi-
bition, whatever il may be.
So saying, Careme, gratifying at the same
his benevolence and love ofadventure, enter
ed the obscure den, and awaited patiently the
return of its owner.
lie Boon appeared with a packet OF can
dies IN his hand. While he was arranging
and lighting them, Careme observed that
the poor fellow was eagerly, at intervals, BIZ
ting a small loaf.
When the room was lighted up, the spec
tator saw before him really splendid clock;
It's vast proportions, and the numerous and
sclentiiic combinations of its works, made il
a most remarkable specimen Of art. Careme
understood mechanics, and was fully able TO
appreciate the ingenuity of the design.
While he was admiring in silence. and
asking himself what great artist could have
conceived and executed such work, crowd
ot little figures, exquisitely modelled, came
forward and commenced to dance. Never
did automata move with more truth or grace. |
WHO is the author of this master-piecer /
asked Carems.
Il, Monsieur replied the man of. the can
dies!
His visitor turned and looked attentvely at
he man whom, till then, he scarcely noticed, /
lie saw that he was old, with long white \
iair escaping from beneath his broad -brim-
ned hat, and falling on his vest of coarse
;anlet. lie wore large CATERS, and alto
sether his appearance was more than that of
peasant accustomed TO labor in the fields
han of an accomplished mechanist.
You! cried Careme.
Il, repeated the old man. i spent forty
'ears OF my life in constructing that clock.
'AloneP
Alone, Monsieur, without master, with
,ut model, without advice; alone--sbut I'D
turing forty years. Thoy said in our village
hat was mad; and noto | begin to think
hat perhaps my reason id suffer. | had
ust recovered from bad fever: was TWEEN
y years old; loved and was loved went
o Strasbourg to buy some wedding presents
or my intended bride; by chance | entered
he cathedral, and saw the famous clock,
which bad been out of order for many wears
felt then as though something struck my
rain, and returned homo so sad and down.
asst that even my affianced bride was afraid
Il me. The next day sold some little prop-
'rty that had, and went to Strasbourg. On
ny return | shut myself up, refusing to see
my one but my mother, who wept, but lot
ne do as | pleased. applied myself 10
work. | had timber, tools, iron, brass,
orge, measures and books. During forty
ears | never once left my worksliop.-
md no one knew what was doing-no one
ut my poor mother who used 20 come and
u beside me, and watch my work so sadly
nd so silently.
However, Monsieur. after numberiess
i II II. l.