The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-12-03


Willis had been to her parent-his house had
been her hone-his wife had treated her with a
mothers kind nesS-and his children regarded
her as n sister and II dear friend
| Mrs Wilis's situation as mistress OF the iuml-
| ly, was no snecure on that day. Her duTlei
were various and Imporant-for il WAS the Velc
England HoLiday-and all her skill as house,
| Wile-ali her excellence as Il manager, was put
10 the test on Thanksgiving Day. After the
! family returned from meeting, for they were OF
! the good old fashioned sort, WHO would almost
as soon lose their Thanksgiving dinner as be de.
prved of their Thanksgiving sermon, the table
was set in the large front pnror, which was
wont to be used only on extraordinary occasions
and serious preparations for the festival com.
menced. good fire, made OF walnut and
yellow oak wood burned cheeriully in the large
open fire place--and the females belonging 10
the house, were put IN requlSltion TO bear The
abundance of the good ,hings from the kitchen
to the parlor-and which when deposited in
their respectiYe.p places made the tables groan
again.
Al the head of the table, was placed q po,ly
Turkey, the choicest OF large parnPered fami'
ly-nt the further extremity, was deposited a
ham ola size 81 favor 10 make WesIphalan's
eyes sparkle with Joy. On the centre sta
toned, plucked, roasted, and ready Tor the cary
ing knife, one of those celebrated animals, which
WhIiom saved from the ravages OF the GnulS,
the capitol of Rome, and which, in gar par.
tered around the table, in apparent disorder, but
with Deliberate care and precision, were boiled
fowls, roaSted fowls e!lies. knic!inacks, and
plates OF vegetables OF more varieties and excel.
hence than would willingly undertake to enti.
nerate--while on the kite hen table, arranged
apparently as corps de reSerre, might be seen II
stately plum pudding, supported by several e.
normous Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pies. with
Aimee Pies, Apple Pies Squash Pies, and Gas
ard Pies, with Fruits OF various kinds, not Tor
getting Nuts and Apples, to bring up the rear,--
AS beverage on this happy occasion, WATER
was the only article proNl!Cd-Whter brought
from clear and sparkling sprIng,wirh dubbed
up IA few rods from the house for Farmer vii
lis commended that water was the hest drink ev-
Ell on festive occasions--and that hilarity ana
joy should be promoted, not 10y wine strong
drink of any kind, bur by social communion, by
free interchange OF thoughts amt ideas, by
generous feelings, born and nuturad in noble
bosom.
1t was nearly two O'Clock, long after their &C.
customed hours of dinner, before the assembled
Of the good cheer winch had been ,n L,'inlil,,i
" proVie,i, And us The t-,.v cnr,,,,,,, s,nr
around the table, waiting tor ihcIt dVEs'
the Divine Blessing upon the meal Whtch was
placed before the n, shade Tilted across The
good mans brou-for his eldest son, noble
boy, was absent. Among the joyful faces which
surrounded him, Edwards was not seen. lie
had leCt his home, years before, TO embrace n
sea faring lite--anl the wnndcrer bad not re-
turned. There good reason to believe that
he was no longer in the land OF The iivIng--ahd
arhouah they It'll strnvo 70 cherish hopes IN
each Others b0soms--many and hltter were tiic
terrs OF affection, which had embalmed his
memory. ...
Deacon Willis did not intend to cast damp
over the spirits Of the happy group-ard his
words were but The echoes Of his thoughts, as
he inv olun,ary exclaimed, Were Edward here
we should Indeed be happy
NV poor dear boy y exclaimed Mrs. Willis
Alb, much fear we shall never see his suiil-
| ing face a guu,'
Mary Wordsworth said nothing-but tear
started into her eye any casual observer
would have seen at once that Edward Willis
was dealer to her than cousin or n frlend-aud
thatshe cherished his memory in the very depths
| of her heart.
Just then old Bose, the house .dog, was heard
| to make some angry Inconsistencies 10 Il passing
traveller Which attracted attention, inasmuch rs
| il was by 10 means nm ordinary occurrence
| Bose was q well nurt,ired brute, and seldom ac
costed n well dressed, gentlemaniy parsonage, in
IA rude and angry manner, but he entertained
{ the prejudice against the victims OF misfortune
or intctnDerance, who wear the gurb of poverty
which is cherished by noble animals, who
! boast the attributes Of reason. In truth, bose
although Il faithful dog, waS real aristocrat IA
his principles. The traveller, from his appear
ance, moved in the humblest rank in liie-ano
Bose evidently intended 10 give MN receP'oi
corresponding with his shabby appearance, and
was advancing towards him in sury manner
and with truculent look, when Deacon Willis
who we'll knew the pecnliarites OF his dog, toll
his son James to go out and protect the strauSe
from, violence. sHe seems sailor, too, said be
and on "a day like this, we should not refuse Tho
rites of hospitality to the htmbest being who
passes along the road. On Thanksgiving day
no individual rich or poor, sailor or innHsnian
should want for plentiful meal. Ask him III
; nv son, Continued the noble hearted farmer
and let The poor way tarer take take seat at gu
board - $780,. ,.
The stranger entered the parior, and room
was made for him at the table. Bat his appear
ance and manner We're strange, and he seemed
as if he was but III disposed to requite ms KIM
hosts tor the hospitality he enjoyed. lie dia no
even raise his dilnpilated hat from his head
and to the kind enquiries which were mace
him, he scarcely degned any reply-but as
overcome with fatigue, or agitated 10y contend
ing emotions, he threw himself into the neareS