The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-10-02
A True Story.

the corner OF the rude do Mauuar. lnlS
eating house was called the Rocherdc
:: Caucale, in memory of that region so fl.
= NOUS for oysters. 1t was very humble
afair,. but its Keepers skill was so great thai
be soon attracted the attention of the great
est gourmands of Paris. .Gouffe, Grim
2 aud de. Ia Reymere Brillat-Savarin, Lau
Jon, Desaugiers, and all the others of that
:efjoyous, witty, and illustrious epie6rcs Of
!. whom they we're the leaders, became his
constant customers. He was thus Table, in
;a!short time, to move into handsome quar-
6fers, where his dining rooms were fitted up
; with all thesconvenient and handsome ap-
a]1lanres of fashionable staurant.-These
.Amous wits and high liyers had founded a
society called the Modern Cellar, who met
once week to dine on the most luxuriant
fare, and tbo most delicate wines. 1t
chose the. Rocher de- Caucale for IFS head
quarters; and Baleine's fortune was made
from that day. a. .~
Baleine,. now n prosperous and wealthy
man, sent for a young niece of his from the
cohutry to preside at the counter of his
establishment, very beautiful girl, whose
charms, joined to those of her uncle's cash
book, soon caused to be surrounded by
suitors Of station far above her own. One
Of these, young man of rank and fortune,
having urged his suit on the uncle, was
accepted by him and thea old cook an
: nounced to his pretty niece that she was
soon to become Madame Thibaudaud, and
would have carriage, beautiful house,
cashmere shawls, and servants.
~ am in no haste to marry; am very
laor Ia iol ha
niece :. "I detest NJ. ThibauJand, and want
noHe ofthe fine things you promise me-"
"And what should she want Of them ?"
interposed Baleine's head cook, hand
some young fellow, as merry as, "a cricket,
putting in his word to the great displeas-
ure Of his chief "Ma'alpselle Pcrrcttc is
quite good looking enough to do without
diamonds ~
- 'Fricoteau,n nsaid Balene with calm dig
nifty, emo one asked you for your opinion !;
you may 60 to the Kitchen"
Fricoteau disappeared.
sPcrrettc !" added Baleine, stcrnly, II
love you as my own daughter; have set
my heart on your being lady: young
women have nothing to do in the choice Of
Husbands, and you shall marry NJ. Thi.
baudand."
Baleine looked so severe with his round
face, redand EXCITED, and his spectacles
pushed up into his white l1air, that Perrctto
began to csy.
II hate NJ. Thibaudand !" she again be-
gan if you love me, dear uncle, let NE
alwayslive with you!"
IA pretty thing for pretty girl to do :,
Live all her life with her old uncle, indeed
No mink lovesyou too we'll to be de-
eeived in this way: Perrette your affec-
lions are engaged"
Sand if they are, what's the harm ~
again interposed Fricoteau, whose head
again appeared in the doorway.
"C4o to your saucepans, Frcoteau -
again thundered Baleine. "And now, dis
obedient girl, confess to Inc to whom you
have given your heart ?"
"Frc6tea'u took it, uncle" replied the
,beantiiul pleasant, halflaugl'ing and half
@Na
Ny cook !" cried the res.auratcur in a
tEagc tone, 'nevcr, no never, shall my niece
be called Fricotcau."
I don't see why not" said the cook
from the stairway: "Fricoteau is as good a
pame Daleine any day, land am now al
most as good aseook as yourself. In many
dishes l defy you or anybody else to tell
: the difference between your hand and
plihe!"
"4tnd he is SO steady, dear uncle," said
Perrette, "and we will always live with
you, and keep up the honor of the house
and take care you when you grow old ~
Bpt Daieine was obdurate, and they
pleaded in vain.
One day therB was to be grand gather
ing of the Modern Cellar the dinner was n
miracle, and ready, the guests waiting, but
the oysters frare in those days, and on
which Baleine especially prided himself.)
.sweye nat come by the coach. Baleine was
Beside himself; the dinner would spoil,
Ehe. iG his dispair, thought Of. suicide,
as he muttsred.
sNeyer was oysters lacking at the Ro-
Glefde- Cancale Come, Fricoteau," he
added at last, "you are an ingenious lad;
what can be done n
= T have An idea !" replied Fficoteau."
"give me five minutes, and trust to me /"
Away. few Frieoteau into the street, run
ming Sihlly forward, but glancing SHARPLY
~ ddery direction. "Tkere must be oys.
ssers somewhere in towns" said he to him
self. sand I must have them ~
-. lie soon espied Savoyord staggering
aalong under a, barrel of oyesters Tesrusil
'oh'the porter, life his load off his back and
set It between his own shoulders, was the
affair OF an instant lie thrust several gold
pieces, triple the worth ofthe oysters, into
the Sayoyard's hand, and rushed off to his
Z rr,1aster, while the SayvoYssd was still
shontiug to him TO stand and gsse up the
haHsls s @7
ta.s.s'Y have saved mel cried Balcine.
ip admripg raptures, as his cook reappear-
ed; .9uick, all hands open the oysters p
$50. 81 ait aminute, dear master" said Eric
otean'' ''holdiHg on ITO the barrel, "these
oysters are mine, and Tonlv give them up
coudition--nezFa msstf ~, :e;2s :
"Any price. you psease--a@ thousand
6rnN Nra - - * = -