Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1916-07-21
GRIalsiICK's OYSTER.

Grimmick began away back in Sep
TENDER to boast to his friends about
the oysters. 1t was SO hot that he could
scarcely raise Il flicker of all interest
by relating how Albert McShane, who
had moved to Texas, was going 10 ship
him some Gulf oysters during the win.
ter.
They're oysters that are oysters!"
Grimmick always added. None of
your measly little eastern things, Tut
big fat ones. the size of saucer ARD
flavor! Say, if you haven't ever eaten
a Gulf oyster you don't know what
you're talking about! They"
Lets so and get something cold 10
drink" the person to whom Grimmick
was talking would mterject about here
taking off his panama hat to mop his
steaming forehead.
Later in the fall people began to be.
tray an interest in Grimmck's oysters.
They listened and they heard so much
about those slorificd bivalycs that
most of them would have recognized
the barrel on sight. No matter bow
disguised it would have been impossi.
Bile for that barrel to deceive the eyes
OF Grimmick's friends. Persons of deep
designs brought Grimnick new recipes
for cooking oysters and artfuliy snow
ed him their wholehearted disinter-
estedness. Not that they expected To
get any of the oysters. but naturally
they took neighborly interest. 1t
might be big barrel.
Even Grimmick when he first gazei
upon it was trifle appalled, at tho
side of the barrel. McShane must have
misunderstood and sent him 4 young
hogshead. Or else the crop of Gulf oys-
tiers was unusually large.
"Beautiesp' cried Grimmick when
he got the barrel open. Il can hardly
wait to get at them!"
The Grimmicks had raw oysters
and oysters grilled that night for din
ner and all next day Grimmick made
nuisance of himself telling everyone
how good they were. He issued no gen.
eral invitation however, for people 10
run in and take home pailful OF the
Gulf treasures. Consequently comment
was bitter on his trail.
Selfish brute!" was the universal
opinion. "lfs as bad as tho he owned
or automobile and never took anyone
out for ride!"
1t really is amazing how far oysters
will go. After the Grimmicks had en-
juyed oysters stewed, scalioped, pam
ned and fried TO the hearts content,
they saw no appreciate shrinking OF
he barrels contents. There were just
about as many oysters as before.
Grimmicli said he thought he'd take
some down 10 the office for his part
rer Ars. Grimmicll said that she was
eoing over TO sister Nell's that day she
might as well take some along. The
| Eext day she carried some across To
he ncighbors on either side Of them
7 hat evening Grimmick surveyed the
scalloped oysters set before him ana
srowned slightly. He said they looked
| fine, but he believed IL Mary would fry
hlm come Of the breakfast bacon he'd
:ather have 1t. The following morning
ne said he thought it was mistake
| rot to share their good fortune with
Their friends. and that he would speak
to Reeknnan and bundle and Buckle on
The train and tell them to stop that
/ light on their way. home and get some.
The weather turned warm Just then.
| Grimmicll said when he saw the mer'
curry In the outside thermometer stand
ing Mt IS degrees. Il should think you
would remember some Of your friends
10 whom Gulf oysters would be real
treat!"
'"Why, have been giving them
around" confessed Mrs. Grimmick.
Somehow that barrels terribly hard
10 emptyl'
In another week Grimmick was
reddling oysters frantically. Tho
neighbor's dogs feasted on them, and
all the cats for blocks about congre-
gated daily Oh Grinmick's back steps
because the cook fed them freely on
oysters. Presently, whenever Grim
mick hove in sight the men would
false protesting hands and say they
we're much obliged, but they did not
want any oysters.
Mrs. Grimmick, five minutes after
taking quart or so over to the next
door neighbor, saw the maid march
Fcut the gift. 1t then dawned on her
that il was the fifth time in a week
she had bestowed oysters on that FAM
| lily. Still, she felt irritated. Further,
the mere sight Of the barrel irritatea
her, for good many oysters remain
ed.
Rather fearfully she served oysters
that night at dinner. 1t was the third
tine that week. Grimmick exploded