Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-04-23

precious liquor they contained.
81 must let you into the secret of some Of
my ways, my children" pursued tho gas
tronomer. ~ am not only professed lover
of good cheer, but have also the right to
call myself an excellent cook" And 50 say
ing, he took off his coat and turned up his
shirt sleeves, with an evident intention of
ailording ocular demonstration of the truth
of his claim to all whom it might concern.
:. AS for you, Monsieur Leblanc" he con-
tinued, turning to the porcelain painter who
was looking on with face expressive of
amusement and interest, 81 beg YOU will
not let my presence disturb you in the work
you have undertaken. Return to YOUR
business, my dear sir, and leave Inc to mine
When have finished my labors, | will let
you know
The marquis, having unpackcd the hum
per with the aid of his servant and the
painter wife, now betook himself to the
little kitchen, and began to make the fires
for his contemplated operations.
"Monsieur lie marquis - said the young
woman, 81 cannot allow you-''
! ''To make the fire myself? But do YOU
not know that the making of the fire is not
an unimportant point in the preparation Of Il
dish? \ little more charcoal or a little less
is 'y ~ means Il tribe and no one but my
! sell knows just what the quantity should BE-.
! Beside, hc added, in whisper, Won
remember our agreement | am here as II
doctor let me cure my patient in my own
way"
'lf monsieur lie marquis is really deter
mined to do everything himself, | have no.
thing more to say; but | hope he will at
least suffer me to make myself useful under
his direction, replied Madam Leblanc,
with grateful smile
At dusk, the marquis's preparations being
finished, the painter was summoned to din
ner. He could hardly credit his senses when
he crossed the threshold of his humble dining
room. Thanks to the provident forethought
OF the marquis, and the Jealous aid of his
wife. this oom, whose cheerlessness he had
taken in horror, res)rtng to the wineshop
for the spurious substitution it offered in
| place of the comfort his home no longer af-
forded him. looked as neat and pleasant as
possible. \ bright wood fire was cracking
and blazing on the hearth, making the faded
and thrcadbare curtains, costly drawn across
the window, look us good as new in its ruddy
| glow. The little round table was covered
with snowy cloth, and for each OF the three
dinner companions was laid handsome cover,
with plates of Sevres china, fanked by goblets
OF transparent clearness. A tall chandelier,
garnished with lighted tapers, stood in the
centre of the table, surrounded by tureen
OF steaming soup that was sending forth
most appetzing aroma, and sundry small
hors d'Gu,res OF equally agreeable promise.
But II the appearance of the repast was
satisfactory and inviting, what shall be said
of the viands of which it was composed p
Some things are beyond the reach of descrip-
ton, and the marquis's cookery was one of
| these.
" Let me tell you, my children" said the
marquis, as the soup was removed and the
succeeding dishes were placed upon the table,
- let me tell you that the king himself
will not sit down this evening to a better
dinner than ours.
" That is just what was saying myself"
exclaimed the porcelain painter in the en-
thusiasm of hls satisfaction "But. mon
sicur, lc marquis, how can it be possible to
give such wonderful flavor to everything?"
- - you find my cookery tolcra5e do
YOU returned the gastromer, with a smile
Of gratitied vanity.
" never drearnt of anything half so deli
cious," responded the painter
- Good then we will make another at
tempt tomorrow, cried the marquis galy.
The porcelain painter, deeming it incum-
p,nt upon him to protest against repetition
pi the marquiss generosity, cndeavOred to
!
that such trouble that such proceeding on
his part would cause to him but it NAV
fairly be doubted whether his protestations
were altogether sincere.
1" Give yourself no concern about my
trouble, as yon call it, replied the mar
| quis, good humoredly L" for it is all done
with view to my interests. am most i'm
patient to possess myself of the two saucers
and know, by my own experience, that
nothing helps forward any sort Of labor so eff
fectually as the certainty Of sitting down to
good dinner when ones task is over. And
besides, | am not sorry to be on the spot, and
to see for myself how the work gets on
Things went on in this manner for four
days Simon Leblanc working steadily all
day long, and dining like prince of the
blood i'll the evening.
But the end Of the fourth day, the por-
CLAIM painter was astonished to find some
thing of his former liking for his work COM
ing back to him. His work room seemed to
have grown less disagreeable his brushes,
his palette, and all the details of his occu-
patton, began to exercise something of their
old charm over his mind and he might have
been heard to murmbr, while painting busilv,
''lt one were only sure of having good
dinner in ones own home at the end of a
| day S work -
When the marquis was leaving, that eve
ming, after they had again partaken, as
usual, of an excellent repast, the young wife
followed him to the door, and whispered, Il
really think that Simon is beginning to for
| get the road to the tavern
HE will have forgotten it altogether a
few days hence, mon entau," replied the
marquis, with a smile.
He was already meditating the preparation
| n a r,11 ,nha hoE r
nary skill and perfection, on which he count
ed for the completion of the cure be had
undertaken to effect. 1t was the execution
OF this project which took the marquis, two
days afterwards, to the poultry market as
we have seen.
When the marquis entered the painters
apartment he found the little room decked
out as for festival Madame Leblanc had
been busy all the morning in putting the
place into apple-pie order The floors had
been waxed, and the furniture subjected to
II thorough busting and rubbing Clean
white muslin blinds were to be seen in the
windows, the brass knobs of the andirons were
shining in brilliant rivalry with the gleam-
ing OF the fire and punches of asters and
chrysanthemums filed the little china Jars
upon the mantcl piece.
"This evening | shall deliver to you the two
saucers, monsieur lie Marquis" exclamcdS 81
mon Leblanc in an exul.ant tome rs lac came
forward quickly to welcome his kindly guest.
And this evening we shall also eat our
best dinner returned the latter, shaking
the porcelain painter cordially by the hand
Both parties kept their word That eve
nlng, as the church clocks were striking five.
Simon Leblanc quilted his work room, and
placed the two saucers in the Marquis hands
You may well be proud of your work,
mon eydnt, for it is masterpiece" said
NJ de Cussy, as he examined the two beau
tilul saucers with the eye Of a connoisseur.
"And now let me show you mine, ," he added
as he led the way to the dinner table, and