Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-04-23
A LUCKY COOK.
How n Lucky Chance Placed Him with
the Nobility.


How n Lucky Chance Placed Him with
the Nobility.
At the end of the reign of Louis XIV,
IN Alsatian soldier by the name OF
Schultz deserted his regiment and went
to Russia. OF his subsequent romantic
history, one of the most curious chap
ters relates to his reunion with the last
representative of his family. The story
is interesting, also, as presenting
Richelieu, then governor-general OF
New Russia at Odessa, in an unusually
amiable aspect. Schultz became u gen.
eral-in-chief in the Russian army, and
finally, covered with wounds and decor
ated with all the orders of Russia, re-
tired to Karasu Bazaar, there to enjoy
the wealth and the title of baron with
which his services had been rewarded
by the Russian government.
1t was great sorrow to the old gen.
eral-baron that there was no one to
whom he could leave his fortune and
his title. He had no children; as far as
he could find out, his family had disap-
peared from France, and his wife had
no relatives. In the meanwhile, how
ever, II nephew was searching for him,
unconscious of the fact that his uncle
was any thing more than retired
soldier of the Russian army.
The barons sister had married her
cousin Schultz, who was Cardinal
Rohan's cook. NJ. Schultz was ruined
by the revolution, and died after having
spent the remnant of his little fortune
in caring for his wife in her last long
Illness. So the only son of this couple
inherited nothing but his fathers talent
for cooking, and was glad to accept a
position us cook in Vienna, and later in
Richelieu's household at Odessa.
Young Schultz accompanied the gov
ernor-general as he travelled through
the country, and everywhere made in
quiries about his uncle. He was dis
mayed to discover him at last in the
dignitary of Karasu BaZar. He had not
the courage to make himself known to
the baron in his cooks cap and apron,
but after returning to Odessa he told
his master of his discovery.
Richelieu promptly sent him to the
old baron, with this letter:
"MY DEAR GENERAL: announce the arrival
| OF your nephew. can certify TO his identity. I
knew him AZ Vienna, and have the best reports
| as TO his character. The revcrses OF the revo-
| luton and the scantiness OF his fortune pre-
| vented his securing liberal education, but
promise you you Will never regret ocknowleug.
| ing him as your nephew. This letter will be
| presented by young Schultz AT my next visit
| to the Crimea will confirm and complete this
| information RicHELIEu"
This letter was Of course literally
true, but it made no mention of the
young mans accomplishments as u
cook. The baron received him with
open arms The baroness was pleased
with him, but had no intention of well
coming him with entire cordiality until
she knew something more of his ante.
cedents.
1t began to be whispered about that
the baron's long-lost nephew had been
nothing more nor less than Richelicu's
cook. Every one but the baron received
him somewhat doubtfully. Young
Schultz wrote to Richelieu for advice,
and was told to be patient and ignore
the rumors until he came.
When Richelieu arrived ut Knrasu
Bazaar, he contrived that a number OF
persons should witness his meeting with
his protege.
"My dear Schultz" he exclaimed, and
embraced his ex-cook with evident re.
gard and respect
After that no one doubted that
Schultz was worthy of his new station
in life. And he proved himself so. He
made his uncle's last days happy. in.
herited his fortune, married happily
and whenever Richelieu visited Karasu
Bazaar he superintendent the cooking OF
his meals, because, as he said, he knew
his tastes very well.-Youth's Com
panion.