The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-01-04
A Slip Of Memory

A Slip of Memory.
A certain distinguished Washington
lady, who shall be nameless, advertised
not many months ago fora French cook,
having been persuaded to this step by
her beautiful daughter, the Baron
ess -, whose long residence abroad
had welded her to foreign customs and
cookery. This advertisement led to an
amusing experience, which | will relate
| just as it was told to me by the dis
tinguished lady herself:
ave were seated at the understandable
on the following morning, WHEN my
maid brought me visiting card on
which was engraved M. Alphonse de
Bougainville, Paris. Not recognizing
the name, I concluded that the card was
intended for my daughter, who is, as
you know, well acquainted at the French
legation, 50 passed it across the table
to her saying: 1T must be for you, nay
DEAR She scanned the card for an
instant. and then replied: Indeed,
! mamma, never heard of the name be-
fore
AT all events, / said, it is probably
| some gentleman who bears letters of in
PRODUCTION from friends at Paris; and as
am not dressed to receive visitors at this
early hour, you must entertain him until
| can make myself presentable.' She
went into the drawing room while |
fastened up stairs to make my toilet;
but before I had time to make any
changes in my dress she come in and
said, laughingly: You needn't dress.
] mamma, for it is only the French cook
for whom you advertised.
Feeling half provoked at the mis-
take, / descended to the drawing-room,
where a distinguishing parsonage
arose from lounging chair, and after a
| profoundly deferential bow, announced
that he had come to solicit of me the
honor Of presiding over my kitchen. |
don't say that those were his precise
words, but he said something to that eff
| feet, and then, after politely placing a
chair for me, he stood waiting respect
fully while | questioned him rs to his
capacity, salary expected, etc. He could
not have been more obsequiously polite
had been queen and he an humble
serf, yet the man was SO well dressed, so
well-bred and even polished in his man.
ner that there was something absurdly
incongruous in the idea of his becoming
my chef de cuisine. Notwithstanding
his elegance, however, he was shrewd at
making bargain, asking fifty dollars
per month for his services and stipula-
ting that he should have scullery maid
and an assistant. Finally, after some
talk, | agreed to give him trial, al
though confess j was somewhat dubi-
Gus as to the result of the engagement.
Well, he came and was duly installed in
the kitchen, where he oyerpowered the
other servants by his French airiness of
manner and the polite condescension
with which he met their friendly adj
vances. His cooking. however, proved
to be execrable, and | was soon COM
PEELED to discharge him, whereupon he
departed as grandly as he had come and
with many deprecating shrugs of regret
because Madame was not pleased with
his services"
Now for the sequel. A pretty and
wealthy young lady of the West End
called last week on the distinguished
Madame before mentioned, and after
some conversation ON ordinary topics,
the young lady said: 'sYou are well ac-
quainted at the French legation, Mrs.
-; pray, tell me if you know Count
LIE Fargo, who is one of the attaches
there?''
81 never heard of him." was the
reply, given without moments hesita-
ton.
''But think again." pleaded the girl
earnestly Surely either you or your
daughter must have met, or at least
heard of him. To be perfectly frank
with you have special interest in this
gentleman, for he has made proposal
for my hand. have not vet accepted
his offer, because, although | like him
very much, our acquaintanceship has
been very brief, and really know
nothing about him except what he has
himself told me. The Count rolling
the title with apparent relish-''is tall,
quite handsome and his manners are
simply incompatible. No one could
look upon him without feeling assured
OF his noble lineage. Stay! She said,
suddenly, opening her handbag and
taking therefrom photograph. ''This
picture may refresh your memory. Look
and see if you do not recognize the
face. y" Madame took the photograph
from the extended hand. but no sooner
looked at it than she dropped it with an
exclamation of amazement. You re-
cognize it?' cried the young lady, in an
agitated tone Tell me, I beseech you.
where You saw him last. What do you
know of him?''
Il met him last in my kitchen, and | |
know nothing of him except that he was
my cookn'
Tableau!- Washington Cor. Pittsburgh |
Dispatch.
"A Mississippi physician saws the dap |