The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-06-26
A King of the Kitchen.

Marie Antonio Careme, the great
French cook, was one of the most
original figures Of the first half
of this century. His biography has
all the interest of a novel. He was
an author also, and wrote a number
of books, in an elegant and original
style. From an entertaining biogra-
phical sketch of Careme we select the
following characteristic anecdote:
One day our illustrious cook was
sauntering along the quays of Paris,
dreaming Of some new dish, when his
attention was suddenly arrested by q
middle aged woman who was crying
bitterly at the door Of wine shop.
Careme kindly asked:
" What is the matter,my good wo-
mani Can 1 do anything for youp
"Thank you, sir; but if 1 cry it is
because no one can help me. Ny hus
band, who is a lrst-rate silver smith,
spends all he earns in that &bomina-
BILE tavern, and leaves me to starve
with our two children"
''He is too fond of good fare, ,then?"
"Ab, il he were half as fond of his
work, we'd be well Of"
"Yet, although he is a man of taste
you condemn him to eat boiled beef
every day?"
"Eh? Who told you that?" asked
the woman in a tone of surprise.
"Iguess it." replied Careme. "No
maR cares to go abroad for bad
meal if his wife can cook a good one
If you listen to me, I'll tell you how
to keep your husband at home
Where do you liye?'
''No. 33 Royal street."
"And what is your husbands
name?"
Wagner"
Very well. Take these five francs
and purchase some charcoal. To-
morrow morning you will receive
basket of provisions; lay them out
in the kitchen and wait till call, for
I intend to do the cooking, myself"
The next morning Careme paid the
promised visit and found the work
man in bed.
"Sir," said he, II have heard of
your talent as a chaser, and l have
brought you this silver cup which re-
quires to be repaired. Though the
task is a difficult one, l know that ]
can safely entrust it to such an artist
as you, and you may charge your
own price. By the bye, have invi-
ted myself to breakfast, as l want to
show you that 1 too am an artist
Now, Madame Wagner, lead me into
the kitchen, and bring NE an apron.
Well begin with the woodcock."
Wagner remained open mouthed,
looked at the beautifully carved sill
yer tankard which Careme had thrown
upon the bed, and asked himself if
his visitor was not mad.
"Tm going to give your wife a few
lessons on cookery" added Careme,
'and if she proves g worthy pupil,
you'll never dine or breakfast at the
tavern again, or my name is not Ma
rie Antoine. Get up and dress your
self-all will be ready in three quar-
ters of an hour"
To make long story short Ca
rene distinguished himself. Wagner
who was a real epieure, swore that
he had never tasted such fare.
"Why," he exclaimed, "Careme,
himself could not prepare a wood
cock in better style"
"Thank you for the compliment; 1
am Careme," replied the cook. With
your permission, I'll come back this
day a week, and if my cup is ready,
we'll try a wild duck. In the mean
time your wife to whom I have al
ready given some good advice, will
pay more attention to her culinary
duties
Careme, at his next visit, found
his tankard admirably repaired. The
wild duck was eaten and found more
delicious than the Woodcock. Mad
ame Wagner quickly learned how to
prepare more tempting food than
boiled beef; her husband ceased to
visit his favorite tavern and became
an artist, instead of remaining a com
mon workman.
One morning Careme received a
box which contained a silver wood
cock, admirably carved, and bearing
in its bill small cup, with the fol
lowing inscription:
"To Careme, by friend who was
saved by good cookery"
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