The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-07
VIRGINIA OYSTER SEASON.
The Time Tor Eating the Bivaives Has
Come Again.

During the summer months the oyster re
mains for the most part at home. surround
ed by his parents. Even this privilege Is
not always accorded him, and without invi-
tatiOn on his part he has frequent VISITORS
from the city, who make themselves free
with his personal effects, violate the laws OF
the state and Of hospitality az WELL ana
make themselves exceedingly obnoxious.
When the leaves begin 10 loosen tneir
lease on lite, and read their falling tate
in the sunshine's colder CLEAN, and RS
begin to creep back in the names
Of the months in the year, the oyster COM
mences 10 contemplate his outing, and gets
il, too. free of cost. lie leaves the waters
of the bay. gulf. or sea, in which ne mas
been sleeping during the summer months,
and takes trip by rail 10 distant cities. In
doing this he never fails to visit his many
friends in Richmond.
SEEN IN THE CITY.
After a rough experience he tumbles of
barrel and finds himself generally in the
clutches Of a merciless man-irequently a
negro, who breaks an opening into his shell
fertilization. and with a piece OF cold steer,
rips him from comfortable home ana
losses him in a bucket, where all sorts oil
oysters are piled one on top ofthe other. Inc
warmth of greeting. however, Is not yet
over. and will not be until the COOK mas
introduced the oyster to the mysteries OF
hot lard and flour or something else equaiiy
as suggestive Of place that is hotter than
river water. Sometimes the epicurcan
tastes Of the oyster deyourer travels III q
direction that causes him to discard all
cooking ideas. and not Is stop until he has
swallowed dozen raw served on the nail
shell. and highly seasoned with variety Of
condiments.
FOND or SOCIETY.
There are some who have claimed that
the OYSTER is fond ~ society, but it seems to
be more i'm accordance with the fact that
society is fOnder Of the oyster. At ban
duets. feasts. and wedding entertainments
i'm Eastern and Souihside Virginia, the
Juicy dcnizen of Virginia waters wears
The very highest hOnOrs, and finds taVOrs at
the hands of the fairest who are present. Ii
is I'm fact on such occasions, that he appears
to finest advantage, for whether he nils the
cavity dug for him, in big block OF ice, on
is smoking cscallOp-or shows, up, with the
brown face Of a fry, or sleeps in the bottom
Of rich stew, the way the palate Is uckled
makes him a fayOrte greatly sought.
IN THE LEGISLATURE.
With the exception of the state debt, and
! il has really had considerable TO do with
that-nO subject has given the growing
statesman wider field for scattering legls-
latiye seed. than the oyster middle. The
mountain members Of the General Assem-
bly. have always been glad whenever an
opportunity 10 twit the Eastern shore Hon.
CRADLES presented itself, and chance to 20
out and take 4 steam came along with H.
| The Eastern shore members used to get
even with the mountain men by saying that
il was impossible to get them interested IN
the oyster industry. further than 10 discuss
them stewed. raw. or somehow else, ana
then they became very energetic. some OF
the most prominent politicians OF the state
have owed their reputation in part to able
speeches made about oysters.
The oyster is here again. and VIII stay a.
long rs the ''r'' i'm the months last. lie is a
great dolicacy. and his advent will he ush
cred in by signs red and black, made int
triangular shape. with transparencies
which serve for the most part to show more
inariistic work AZ the hands Of the mark
ing-pOt man than anything attractive III
lettering. and bearing the statement: "Oys-
ters i'm every STYLE" This is very much
nearer true than is intended in some cases
for really they do have them sometimes ~
all shades and condition Of decomposition
They are getting in great demand daily
and there will be any quantity Of them here
i'm very short while. The old demand fol
big oysters is dying out, and the small
linoly-nayorCd. gOlden-cOlOred one is In the
l.al