The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-10
COrradO's Cook.


lest citizens of Florence, nor did he spend
his money grudgingly. There were few
pleasures that he denied himself, but 1T
must also be confessed that he was liberal
to his friends aud benevolent to the poor.
A number of dogs he had which followed
him in his rides about the country, or
bore him company at the chase.
One day Signor Corrado returned from
his favorite sport with fine fat crane,
which he sent at once to the kitchen, with
an order for it to be well roasted and
served for the evenings repast.
We must now explain that Quinquibio,
the cook, was stupid, simple sort of be.
ing, held in ridicule among the other SER
wants, though he we'll understood his own
business.
He took the crane and set about prepar-
ing it according to the signor's commands,
and by and by a most delicious odor
assembled from the kitchen. The bird was
just upon the point of being sufficiently
cooked, when woman Of those parts,
who was very friendly with Quinquibio.
came into the kitchen.
Here is, indeed, something excellent
a-roasting," cried she. must really taste
it, for never in my life did l smell bird
half 50 good to eat as this must be. Give
me Just leg and wing, Quinquibio {;
no one will be any the wiser; and there
will remain quite enough to send up for
the masters supper.
The cook shook his head.
"No, no, Madame Brunette" said he.
"You will not even get taste of roasted
crane from me-"
"You will find it to your advantage to
do what ask you," answered the woman
in an angry voice. off you do not, |
promise you will find revenge Of which
| you little dream"
After a few words of argument Quin.
| quibio's scruples were overcome.
cat least there can be small harm done
by yielding to her." said he within him.
self, "and if refuse, there is no knowing
what bad trick she may play on me. | dc
not want woman for my enemy"
So the joints were cut from the roasted
crane, and Brunette soon made an end of
them, declaring them excellent.
Now it so happened that Corrado had
several friends to sup with him that night
indeed, it was large and merry party
that gathered round the table.
| The crane was sent up with one wing
and one leg missing, and the cook felt no
uneasiness about the matter, for he judged
that his master would have no time to
notice such trifling thing.
Ualuckily, however, one of the guests
observed that the crane had but one leg
and one wing, aud, thinking it somewhat
strange, he took the opportunity of asking
Corrado how it was.
zone wing and one leg cried the
host, and looking closer he saw that his
guest was right. Z" Send the cook here,
he said to the servants who waited at ia
BILE. al must know what that foolish
fellow means, for very sure am that the
crane had his two wings and two legs
when brought him home this morning
When Q linquibio heard that he was
summoned to the supper room he was
desperately frightened.
ooh, woe for me-" cried he, "that ever
suffered Brunette to enter my kitchen ~
But no excuse could avail him now to
escape from close questioning, and the
trembling man stood before his master
with sinking heart.
He was, however, Venetian, and it i,
said that Venetian never shrinks frou
any lie that will serve his turn. Quinquibic
assured the company, then, that there was
nothing at all to be surprised at; a crane
never had more than one leg and one
wing.
Now this obstinacy reused Signor Cor
radios anger, but as his friends were
shouting with laughter, and it was moi
the moment for reproving servant, he
had to content himself with saying but
little.
"Bs gone, rascal he exclaimed, turn
ing his flashing eyes full upon the cook
"Aud, as you are so mighty clever, you
shall cen 60 out with me tomorrow and
show me some of your wonderful one
legged cranes. 1t will be the worse for you
if you are not able to point them out, lei
ms tell you"
Quinquibio retired to the kitchen vel
pleased with himself.
Methinks got out of the difficulty
rather cleverly," he reflected. "The mas
ter was very angry, certainly, but by to
morrow he will have forgotten all about
the matter"
But it 30 happened that Corrado wa
very far from letting the subject of tn,
crane slip from his mind 1t caused hin
rather restless night, and he rose a
break of day determined to clear up tn,
mystery and punish his cook severely TO