Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 February 1905 — Opcnig Oysters. [ARTICLE]

Opcnig Oysters.

“Talk about opening oysters,” said the old pilot as he pushed back a heap of shells and asked the waiter for his check, “I never did see anybody to beat Benny Hawser. Benny could open oysters like magic. Never used a knife, neither. Said it was cruel.” “How did he manage it?” asked the guileless young man from uptown. “Snuff, my boy,” replied the old pilot solemnly. “Bought real Scotch snuff, the strongest In the market. When he held a little of it in front of the oysters they sneezed the top shell off.” "Pooh!” said the young man. “Benny was all right in his way,” observed the cashier, “but he wasn’t a circumstance to a feller on a freight sloop that used to run between Fulton slip and Bridgeport. Why, when that feller'd come in here he’d take a dozen oysters and spread 'em in a row on that very table you’re sittin’ at. Then he’d begin to spin a sea yam. I never beerd another man like him. Them oysters jes’ opened their mouths in astonishment at his whoppers. Then he’d take ’em by surprise, whip ’em out of their shells, sprinkle ’em with pepper an’ vinegar an’ swaller ’em.”— New York Press.