The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-12
A TRUFFLED FwRENCHMAN
"A few truf,es. doctorf'l

Uu- 10 . ~
the past fifteen years"
"But YOU used 10 be exceedingly fond
Of them when ] knew you long ago,
doctor"
Every true. but ] cannot bear the sight
OF them since ] was 'trufled' myself"
A look Of puzzled surprise appeared on
every face.
1T IS a melancholy story" resumed the
doctor sadly, and rs ] have nothing more
important TO talk about meantime, may
as well tell It to you now"
After n moments silence, during which
he seemed TO recall deeply painful recoi-
l~ections, the doctor began.
you know that / was attached 10 the
navy for many years as u physician. l
was around the world several times, and
/ have experienced all sorts of curious and
dramatic adventures.
"But Il was in 1872 that met with the
most tragic Of them all. embarked at
that time on board the new frigate the
Lessive, charged TO make a cruise in the
southern seas. We had Il splendid voy'
age.
Not q single patient was on board
Hence, having nothing to occupy my time
the days dragged heavily on me. The mo
notony was alnIO5t unbearable. My only
diversions were at mess.
II always made il a point 10 remain at
table as long as possible, first to Kill time,
and second for the pleasure Of the meal,
rs our cook was n man of real genius 10
lis department. He had a special taste
al the concOctlon Of mushroom sauce, such
as / never knew before on since. An ape
rent. spicy, delicious sauce.
'He was, besides, very proud Of hi
superior merit III this respect and treated
us 10 his auces as often as possible
With the sauces that he made one could
eat a hen that had died Of old age an6
think It WAS spring chicken"
The doctor ceased speaking for an in
slant and smacked his lips in memory o.
these past delicacies.
II ended by becoming IA very intimate
friend of this talented cook" he con
tnued. "IIis name was Amedee, and he
had been favored with an education
greatly above his position. We often
talked over our voyages, science and the
art Of cookery, and we agreed with one
another on a variety Of matters.
"At length il happened that one fine
evening in August the Lessiye cast anchor
before a beautiful green island, not even
as yet explored, as it does not figure on
the maps. We had no sooner stopped
than Amedee, wishing 70 give the captain
a little agreeable surprise by serving up
sorre fresh fruits, told me that he was
going ashore in the little boat known as the
cabbage packet, and he invited ME to ac-
company him. accepted with pleasure,
and, without giving notice 70 any one,
we entered the boat and soon reached the
shore. An hour afterward we were
prisoners among a tribe Of savages,
hideously painted and tattoed, and while
they led us away we had TO witness the
agonizing sight Of the Lessive weighing
anchor and proceeding on her way"
DR.. Patesson here emptied a glass of
champagne to calm the emotions excited
by so painful a Renaissance.
1--WE were expecting every moment to
be massacred,h he went on, "but they
contented themselves with putting US In
the guard Of a huge sort Of devil savage,
armed with a ponderous club.
"This unwelcome attendant did not
leave US for an instant during the night,
and we could see him at times smack his
chops and rub his stomach in Il way that
but too clearly signihed that he expected
10 make a toothsome meal of both Of as.
But they did not roast us either the
next day or in the following few days.
We afterwards learned that this respite
wa solely due TO the fact that owing TO a
recent victory, the lsrder Of the tribe was
~abundantly supplied with prisoners of
war.
Zone morning Amedee suddenly ut
tered a cry Of Joy. He had Just spied at
the foot Of q big tree a large number of
excellent mushrooms. He filed his
pockets with them, and that same even
ing, after having gathered all the herbs
that he required, he cooked an opossum
with the famous sauce.
I'VE actually cried with Joy as we eat
them. Our jailer, after having tasted
them, uttered such q cry Of pleased sur
prise, that the king, or chief, rushed 70
our presence. In less than five minutes
he had devoured all that remained Oh the
plate.
'On the following day Amedee, despite
his horror and repugnance, was forced TO
cook a prisoners leg In the same manner
"While lie was engaged In preparing
this horrible dish ! was sitting sadly at
the foot Of a tree. I was thinking that
my friend vas certainly saved and that i
was as certainly lost.
1T was only q question Of a short time
until ! should be fricasseed by the hand
OF my friend Amedee and eaten in mush-
room sauce.
while musing on this unpleasant idea
I was mechanically digging the soil with
q piece Of stick which / had in my hand
An exclamation Of surprise burst from my
lips. ] had just turned up a trufae, an
immense, sweet scented %truffle, as fine as
any Of those Of Perigord.
~ called Amedee, and having shown
him my discovery, we set 70 work dig
ging the soil. We found that truffies
abounded on all sides. That same even
the king dined so sumptuously that
wanted TO pass a fish bone through
Amedee's nose RS u compliment to his
culinary skill.
During the following week the entire
tribe did not cat less than five times a day.
Anedee. however, wore a melancholy air.
Listen TO me, doctor, he said at the
end Of the eighth day, Il have bad news
for you. The stock Of prisoners is nearly
out and the kings chief minister. who
hos 1,aon onno;utod my ~ssullion has given |