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In the early 1920s, an Austrian immigrant got a job as a busboy at The Ritz in New York City. He was paired with an old waiter who became something of an uncle and “career advisor” to him.

One day, a very important looking gentleman was enjoying dinner in the dining room. After a bit of reconnaissance, the old waiter discovered the gentleman was a famous cartoonist who drew pictures of a big man hitting a little man on the head.

The cartoonist lived at The Ritz, drove a Rolls-Royce, threw elaborate parties, ate grouse out of season, drank vintage champagne before noon, was married to a drop dead gorgeous countess and weathered half the year in the South of France.

Hearing how rich the cartoonist was, the old waiter advised the boy to take up cartooning. he bought the boy some art supplies and told him to try and draw some of the hotel guests.

The boy chose to draw a plump, full-figured couple known as Monsieur and Madam Lawrance Potter Dreyspool. They were filthy rich regulars at every Ritz in the world and universally despised by the hotel staff. More so, they were a sight to behold. Madam carried a dog the size of a guinea pig and wore hats as big and as elaborate as wedding cakes.

As the boy was drawing the Monsieur and Madam, the maître d’hôtel happened to be looking over his shoulder. He ripped the drawing from the boy, folded it up and told him to see him in his office first thing in the morning.

The following day, the boy was not fired but commissioned.

“Ah, the wunderkid,” said the maître d’hôtel. “You are a talented young man. If I were you, I would most certainly become an artist. I think you should give all your time to it.” The maître d’hôtel continued, “As your first client, I would like to order four of these from you. Nicely done, like this one, but on good paper. If possible with some colour.”

Surprised he hadn’t lost his job, the boy stared slack-jawed at the maître d’hôtel as he continued to describe the commission, “And don’t forget Monsieur’s nose (the strawberry effect, the little blue veins) or the bags under the eyes. That will be very nice. A souvenir for my colleagues in London, Paris, Nice, and one for the maître d’hôtel on the Mauretania. You can have the rest of the day off to start on them.”

The busboy was Ludwig Bemelmans, who would eventually become the creator of a magical children’s book series you might have heard of, Madeline.

By Cole Schafer

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