The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-04-21

HCeS VI lHe mousse OppOSlpe. DSlWCCi
the branches of a spreading cedar
can see right into the beautiful kitchen
with its modern, polished range, it'
regiments of shining copper pans, Its
rows of warm-tinted casseroles anc
terrines. Better still, i can watch the
white-gowned priestess who presides
over the culinary temple what time
she prepares delicacies for the lucky
beings who are privileged to employ
her.
do not know them; have never
seen them. / am merely a desolate
stranger come to look for summer in
a country village, and, by hazard, an
chored in cottage rooms overlooking
little Tudor manor house.
AS for the summer, 1t has not come.
In its place is a caricature, done in
dull, damp, depressing greys. For my
self, | ache for nutriment. For they
! give me nothing to eat in the cottage
at least they give me nothing eata-
BILE. | have suffered barbaric dietary
of tepid chops, leathery steaks and
night, and so, when the kitchen win
dows opposite are thrown open, as
they are to-day, my eyes search the
view within with a longing both of
emptiness and the remembrance of
past good cheer.
The ghosts of real, dainty, satisfying
repasts haunt me as l watch the
proceedings of the cook. Something
is toward: there is activity in the
kitchen, and lucky chance has given
me q front seat for the show
Food! 1t surrounds the interesting
creature in the kitchen. Even at this
distance l can distinguish it's main
features. Coral-tinted red mullet,
those "woodcock of the sea-" lie re-
posefully, like We're de Veres, in a row.
Near them is heap of sweetbreads,
white and round. Beyond, is an open
dish full of the tender portions of
most spring-like chickens, and in the
foreground, dainty saddle of noun
tain lamb. 1t is powdered DER like a
lady's face, through which a sweet
rose-blush peeps. No living picture
can compare with it!
And all around, on the table by the
window and adjoining shelves, are the
accessories of civilized cookery. Con-
diments and sweet herbs; the glazes,
the pralins and the fondants in jars;
the essences and the fiavorings in bot
ties. Molds, strainers, bain-marie. a
cisel, a daubiere-everything from
fonds de cuisine to the last word in
culinary material abounds in this Lu-
cullian fairy-land.
There are noises in the cottage be-
hind me-commonplace, sordid noises
that irritate. But 1 put my fingers
over my ears and lean further out of
my loaded easement in order to con-
centrate the whole of my attention on
the scene that is unfolding before my
eyes.
lnstinctively l know that am about
to witness the operations of an adept
"a Gordon bleu. There is a deftness.
light touch, about her that conyinces |
me of 1T. She has done with prelim- |
inaries now, and applies herself to a
special process-a soup, evidently.
A pan is removed from the stove
and brought to the table by the win
dow. In 1t spy white roux of creamy
cons1stency-undoubtedly a roux Of
hour and clarified butter-probably
seasoned with mushrooms. The scent
OF 1t seems to come to me, across the
road,-the scent of hazel-nuts! There
are mushrooms on the table-the dear
white delicacies!-and when she he.
gins rubbing these through a sieve and
ADDS them to some veal stock, and
then scatters cubes of chicken and
salted tongue into the basin. I know
Lhis queen of purees to be no less than
Veloute Agnes Sorel!
The pan goes back to the fire and
she turns her attention to the red
nullet. How shall l describe what
ollows? Bald words can do M
Justice to her treatment of these cor.
'line dreams, tell nothing of the def
way In which she makes the cisel
'long their sleek sides. NV mouth
waters as l watch her sprinkle lemon
uice upon them. What emotions stir
ne as she dips them in the marinade
u white wine favored with THYME
Jay leaves, parsley and shallot? I'm.
'gine the fragrance! l see her scatter /
hopped fennel over all, before thew t
lsappear in envelopes of oiled paner I
Q be gently grilled and served las q
hey stand!" {
AT this juncture, something takes a
er out OF sight and l suffer agonieo i
est this be the end of the entrancing s
iatetic treat. But no, 1 have need !
essly alarmed myself. She is hact e
gain, drawn by those alluring sweet 6
reads, as might have guessed
reature of her artistic temperament a
'ould be! 0i' S
A new happiness surges through mo v
nile she lards them with bacon ana b
rufies. How tenderly she nlaoas
hem In the shallow cocotte and snr s.
ounds them with garnish of aIrAadn
repaired vegetables cut en- iulienne, b
low sweetly perfect to observe ber O
edition OF the brazing liquor. and Az
owder OF minced truffles that crow