Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 July 1899 — UNDEVELOPED TALENT. [ARTICLE]

UNDEVELOPED TALENT.

The Man in the Mountain Cabin Know How to Cook. A writer in Forest and Stream tells how he went trout-fishing, years ago, ’ in California, and there made a pleasant discovery. At ter seeking long for trout streams, he and his companion came upon a lone shanty, where a Frenchman wag swinging in a hammock and smoking his pipe. He was a very much surprised man, for as he told them, no one had intruded on inis solitude for three months. ‘Tlenty bf fish!” he promised them, and they betook themselves to the creek. There they soon filled their baskets, and then, having dressed as many as two hungry men could eat, adjourned to the shanty. On inquiring of our landlord if be had such a thing as a frying-pan he produced one, and my friend, who prided himself on being a camp expert, remarked, “Of course thia tramp doesn’t know how to cook a trout. I’U show him.” The tramp looked on, smoking his pipe, but being rather the worse for our day’s travel, it was suggested that before eating we should have a bath; so, adjourning to the creek, we took a refreshing dip. When we returned to the house, we were surprised at seeing a little rude table set out under the trees; on it were casters, china plates, a white cloth and napkins. Where they all came from was a mystery, but they were there. “Now for the trout,” said my friend. “I’ll show you how trout should be cooked.” But then appeared our landlord, bearing a plotter filled with nicely browned fish. It was followed by small cups of delicious black coffee. Then we rolled up in our blankets, and slept as only tired hunters and fishermen can do.' Our breakfast was the supper repeated, with an addition of fine, white rolls. We lost no time in refilling our baskets, and prepared to depart Our landlord would accept no pay, only a few files, and a line and pocket-knife. Then one of us said, with some patronage and a desire to please: “My friend, there is the making of a good cook In you. Why don’t you go to San Francisco and hire out? No doubt you could get a good situation.” There was a twinkle in the Frenchman’s eye as he replied, carelessly: . "Yes, I can cook a leetie. I was Delmonlco’s chef for ten years, and I get what you call tired, and come to California to find a leetle rest.”