Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-25

A leading banker in the Windsor Ho-
tel the other evening was asked II the
report that Mr.. Field had lost much
money recently was true1
has. I'll give $4,000, OdA for all his pro
porty this moment, and tfen l guess I'd
make a million or two profit"
And LET me tell you that $50, 600, 600 is
very tidy sum, even in this big city
OF rich men. II you don't believe me,
try and borrow it and see for yourself.
AN EXPENSIVE cooB.
William X. Vanderbilt has determined
10 lead all the rich men in the matter of
gastronomy. Joseph Dugnol, the great
est chef that Paris has produced since
the days OF Vatel, is now on the brlny
deep, having accepted Vanderbilt's offer
of $40, 900 per year after very little de-
lay. Dugnol is said 10 be the best cook
in Paris His Serene Highness, the
Price Of Wales, says he could tell one
of DugDol's sauces in any part OF
the world he might find it. For years
he has been in charge Of the kitchen
at the Cafe Anglaise III Paris. All the
gallomets of the French capital Know
OF bis wonderful ability. and patronize
him literally. Even the heir to the
British throne often runs over to Paris TO
get a dinner cooked by Dughol that bis
faded appetite appreciates. A private
letter from Paris gives the particulars OF
Dugnol's engagement. Mr.. Vanderbilt
visited the Cafe Anglais for lunch.
He was not very hungry, and told his
waiter so Ia as good French as the heir
to hundreds Of millions Of dollars can
muster. The gorgon shook his head,
and didn't quite seem 10 understand.
Finally, after good deal OF debate on
both sides, Mr.. Vanderbilt ordered a call
of the house. and insisted upon seeing
the chef He didn' know Dugnol from
last years bird In fact.
had never heard of him. He made
him understand, however, that be was
not hungry, yet wanted something to eat.
Considerable discussion followed, and
the American millionaire finally said he
wanted light understanding appe-
tizing and tasty-and would leave the
details to the cheE Dugnol gave him a
lunch that would have made a Sy-
berite lay down and die with envy.
and this so pleased the money king that
he again sent for Dugnol, thanked him,
and asked mm if he did not want to go
TO New York. The chez shrugged his
shoulders and raised his eyebrows. He
was happy in Paris Why 60 to New
York? His salary was $4,000 year in
the French capital nnd that sum suificed
for the modest wants of even king OF
the kitchen.
TOO SMALL.
"But your pay is too small, said Van
derbilt. 81 Will give you $4,000 year
10 90 to New York with me.
The Frenchman shook his head.
GLOW much do you want ?" Wander
bilt queried.
Not less than SlO,OOO," came the
calm reply.
You shall have it. 1 engage you
from this day"
The two great men shook hands, and
formal contract was drawn up and duly
signed and witnessed the next day. This
provides that Dugnol shall have the alb
solute charge OF Vanderbilt's splendid
kitchen. He is to employ what assist
ants he requires, and he has carte blanche
as to marketing under these circum-
stances. Nanderbilts dinner parties will
soon become famous, and before long
New York society will be all agog over
the poSthumOus dream and poems that
Dugnol will inspire.
Dugnors salary of $40, 900 per year is
the largest pay given TO any chcf III this
country Quite a number of cooks re-
ceive from s., 0C0 to $1,000 per annum.
The Astors pay their chef the latter
sum. Mrs. Bradley Martin pays a like
amount. Mrs. Hicks-Lord, Mrs. Ham
mersley, Mrs. Coleman Drayton, and
scores of others who give big dinner
parties employ French chejS at
from $1,000 TO $1,000 a year Jay
Gould and Russell Sage are lovers
of plain food they employ good cooks,
but do not pay over $50 per month.
They do not relish French dishes:
Neither does Cyrus W. Field, Roswell
2. Flower, or Austin Corbin. Editor
Charles 4. Dana If fond of good living.
He employs French chg who is able
to give his epicurean master many novel
surprises. Mr.. Dana is uniformed
on the subject of gastronomy. He
knows how to make delicious salad,
end not even Secretary Bayard excels
HIM in cooking terrapin. Whitelaw
Reid now employs French chef, so does
Joseph Pulitzer when IN town.
FRESH AND DRAMATIC GOSSIP.
The principal novelty of the week is
"The Pearl of Pekin at the Bijou
Opera House. Perhaps it might be well
TO hedge and call it an alleged novelty,
for it is nothing more or less than a re-
vival Of Lecocq's Fleur dc The, which
failed to hit the bulls eye Of popular
approval when it was launched on
New York audience some twenty years
ago. The present libretto is an adapta
ton from the French by Charles Alfred
Byrne, formerly editor of the de-
funct Dramatic Times, and the hus-
band of Alpha Norman, the ope-
ratio singer. The first act is rather
fiat, the second comes to spirited
fnGle. and the third act has typical
song by Louis Harrison with tho refrain,
81 hope it won't happen again, that
made a pronounced hit. When Mr..
Harrison (who, by the way, impcrsonates
Iyioo, the principal character,) intro
duced a verse on the first night remind
ing the Benedicts that the late blizzard
blow of beautiful snow squared matters
all right if they stayed out all night,
but he hoped it won't happen
again. The bald-headed contingent
fairly howled with delight, punched
each others ribs, and INDUCED in
most eliminating winks. When TyfoO
asked for q Chinese evening paper
and read the startling sdmonition that
whenever you see a red-nosed politician
look out for a dark horse, even the
dudes and critics deigned to show
spark of enthusiasm, recognizing the fact
that the red-headed girl aud white
horse epidemic was drawing to an end.