The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1921-02-12
Chef of Great
Smith Street
BY GERALD Brennan

"Ah. m'sieu'l Does not m'sieu' re-
member me? | am Gouvin.'
Wandesford stared at the speaker
in mute establishment. Could TINS
seedy, staryed-looking specimen oil hu-
mainly be indeed Gouvin?-Gouvin'
the famous chef whose cookery had
been the talk of Parisf
But the duke of Montmirallf You
were his prize chef"
Gouyin lifted both hands in eio-
auent protest. "Ah, m'sieu', ne
cried, sit is a sad story. VIII msiea
care TO hearf
Installed at a table In a modest res
taurant, Gouvin opened his heart.
at was at the Hotel de Montini-
rail-" he explained. Il was at the ze-
NTH of my glory. All Paris spoke OF
my dinners. His grace loaded me with
honors. lost my head, to such dizzy
heights did | seem to soar.
THE duke worshiped at the shrine
of Mile. Mimi Martigues of the Nari-
cites. In an evil moment | allowed
myself TO fall In love with that fair
est of mortals. She invited me to
call and wheedled out of me the recipe
for the famous Sauce de Montmirail-
the Joint invention of the duke and
myself.
LAS we sat together the duke him.
self entered Unexpectedly. Then the
false Mimi denounced me as an up
start mental who had dared to pose
as his masters rival
81 was kicked out Of Minis house
and the next day dismissed from the
Hotel de Montmirail.
Suddenly there came to Wandesford
an inspiration.
by Jove, Gouyin," he exclaimed, II
have 1t. You shall start restaurant
of your own in my house in Great
Smith street.
Reggie Van Hooper rushed into the
smoking-room of the Tepee club, sim
mering with excitement.
"Hullo, Reggie" sang out one of
the youthful loungers, you have got
secret can tell by your manner"
81 say" Reggie exclaimed. does any
one here know where Great Smith
street ISL"
There was a general head-shaklng.
''Then let me tell you" continued
Reggie. 81 was there last night. |
had dinner there. And such dinner
1t was the best, the very best, have
ever INDUCED in.
swell, my friend Wandesford," con-
tinued Van Hoopen, asked me to din
ner last night. | was simply pining
for a little excitement and when he
suggested voyage into the unknown
regions of the lower East side, |
jumped at the proposition. OF course
l did not intend to eat anything there.
| merely wanted to see little low
life and have a little adventure.
y assure you that was well re-
paid. Out Of cellar came an old
chap in genuine cooks rig and Wandes-
ford and he had talk. | pride my
self on my French; but I really
couldn't keep pace with those two.
''By and by dinner began to come In.
The first sight of The soup set me
thinking. Just to please Wandesford,
took a spoonful. II was simply
triumph Never In all New York can
you beat that 'potage la Central
Park Thereafter | capltulated and
from soup to dessert, did not miss
course. There were some 'coctellettes
aux Monseigneur lie Duel suppose
the chef took me for duke-that
haunt my palate still"
For some minutes there was silence
in the smoking-room. Then the dean
of the loungers said solemnly:
Reggie. Is this practical joker II
it is"
Good heavens, moi" cried Mr.. Van
Hooper. Everything happened just
as / told you. The dinner was superb.
The chef Is treasure. Tell you
what, let us go over there in a body
tonight. I'll notify Wandesford, and
he can act as guide. If the Great
Smith street cellar is not just as | say,
| promise to pay the entire reckoning"
III.
Wandesford strolled down the cell
lar steps in Great Smith street, a tele-
gram In his hands. At the Kitchen
table sat Gouvin, connecting a vision
airy menu.
"Hullo, Gouvin, victory is ours
Tonight you must prepare dinner for
25 persons"
A smile Of joy oyerspread the chefs
features.
1t was Thanksgiving evening.
murky, misty Thanksgiving, when the
delegation from the Tepee club stole
stealthily along Great Smith street
and disappeared into the Gouvin cell
lar.