Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1839-12-09

brightly on the hearth stone OF his parents Dea-
con Willis was New England larner--a man
who, NY chershiBg che virtues ofindustry aud iru'
gality, hal become possessed Of n handsome prop
erty - and who, enjoying competence in Tree
country, protected BY wise governments snrroun-
ded by kind and intelligent nrighbors, aud in the
midst of happy and virtuous family, cnvied neh-
er nabohs their riches, nor monarchS their power
1t was Thanksgiving Day--aud great had been
the hustle in Deacon Willis falnilv for the mCvi-
Gus week, Descended in direct line from one
of the earliest settlers ofNew England, no con
sideration coWld hive Induced the worthy Deacon
TO ahate one iot ofthe 'pomp ahd pride aud cir
cunstance' OF the ThanksgvHgs of the Paritans.
Thanksgiving religiously observed by hial, as
| it had been by his fathers before him and the
gratitude which he expressed to his Creator for the
mercies which he had received, was not mere
| formula OF unmeaning words, but came directly
| from the heart
| On this day his children were collected around
him-nHd all anticipated a joyous Thanksgiving
Several of the distaai relations, who were not so
well provided with the good things of this life as
the worthy Deacon, also accepted an invitation TO
| be present. Among those who were sheltered by
his hospiabie roof On this occasion, the greatest
favore seemed to be Mary Wadsworh, a hlue-
eyed damse, whose lovely and expressive face
told more about sweetness and purity than could
ldescribe in a folio volume She was the only
daughter of cousin of the worthy Deacon's, and
TT an early age was deprived of her parents 10y
death. Bat Deacon Willis had been 10 her pa
lrent-his house had been her home his wife had
treated her with amothers kindness and his chill
idren regarded her as a sister aud dear irieud
Mrs. Wiis's situation mistress of tho family
was nc sinecure on that day. Her duties
various and Important for it'was the New Eng
land Hol day--and all her skill as housewife
all her excellence as a manager, was put to the
test on Thanksgiving Day. After the family re-
turned from meeting, for they were OF the good
a fashioned
lose their thanksgiving dinner to he deprived
LOT their thanksgiving sermon, the table WAS set IN
the large front par or, which was wont to be used
ionly on extraordinary occasions, and serious pre-
lparatons for the festival commenced. A good
4 fire, made of walnut and yellaw Oak wood, burned
cheeruly in the large open fireplace, and all the
females belonging to The house were put in requi'
lsiton to bear the abundance 'of the good things
from the kitchen to the paror-- and which when
deposited in their respective places, made the Ia
bes gyoan again.
At the head of the table was placed a poftly
turkey, choicest OF a large and pampered family-
at the farther extremity deposited ham Of
size and flavor TO make Il Wesphaliaa Is eyes
Isparkle with joy. On the centre was stationed,
Iplucked, roasted, and ready for the'earVng knife,
one of those celebrated ANIMAL witch whilom
saved from the ravages of the Gauls the capitol oil
Rome, and whjch;in vulgar pariance, ycIeped
geese while here aud there scattered around
the table, in apparent disorder, hut with dei'Der-
ate and precision, were boiled fowls roasted
fowls jelies, knicS nacks, and pates OF vegeta
bles of more varieties and excellence than would
willingly undertake TO enumerate while on the
. kitchen table, arranged apparently as n corps de
reserve, might lie seen a stately plum pudding
lsupported by several enormous Thanksgiving
. pumpkin pies with mince pies, apple pies, squash
PIES, and custard pies, with fruits OF various
kinds, not forgetting nuts and apples to bring up
. the rear. As "A beverage on his happy occasion,
water was the only article provided water
brought from clear and sparkling spring which
dubbed up a few rods from the house; for Far
mer Willis commended that water was the best drink,
even on festive occasions-and that Iilarity aud
Joy should be promoted, not by wine strong
:. drink ofany kind, hut by social communion, by
e n free interchange of thoughts and ideas, by gen
y erous feelings, born and nurtured in noble DO
g som.
l. 1t was nearly two. O'clock long after their &C.
: customed hour Of dinner, before the assembled
u company were invited into the parlor to partaae
is of the good cheer which was so bouniifully pro-
vided. And as the happy company stood around
II the table, waiting for their host to ask the Divine
/ blessing upon the meal which was placed be-
y fore them, shade fitted across the good mans
brow for his eldest son, a noble boy was absent.
Among the joyful faces which surrounded him,
: Edwards was not TO be seen. lie had left lis
home, years before, to embrace sea 'faring life
IS and the wanderer had Tot returned.-There was
y good reason to believe that he no longerin the
J. land OF the living and although they still strove to
G cherish hopes in each others bosoms many and
!, bitter the of Affection which had elm
y bamed his memory
J, Deacon Willis did not intend to cast n damp
II over the spirits of the happy group and his
u words but the echoes of his thoughts, as he
d involuntarily exclaimed "were Edward here, we
n should indeed be happy"
IS "My poor dear boy y exclaimed Mrs. Willis
lie "Ah, much fear we shall never see his smiling
1t face again."
At Mary Wadsworh said nothing but a teal
rs started in her eye-and any casual observer
he would have seen at once that Edward Willis wa:
re dearer TO her than cousin a friend and thai
she cherished his memory IN the very depths o
rs her heart
just then old Bose, the house dog, was heard Il
e, make some angry renonst ances TO passing traw
ne eller, which attracted attention, asucl aas.j
IN was by no means an ordinary occurrencer-fp
$ Bose was well nurured brute, and seldom &C
TX cosIed well dressed gentlemanly parsonage, in
Ell rude and angry manner, but he enteriNIned TN
re prejudice against the victims of 'misidhe or in
I'd temperance who wear the garb Of poverty, which
r. is cherished by nobler animals. who boast the At
Us tributes of reason. In truth, Bose, although
~ faithful dog, was real arlsocrat in his principles
h. The traveller from his appearance, moved III TIT
m humblest rank of life and Bose evidently intend
- ded 10 give him reception corresponding will
p his shabby appearance, and was advancing towart
I'll him in surly manner, and with trrIculent look
lie when Deacon Willis, who well knew the pecul
Id iares of his dog, told his son James to go OH
Il and protect the stranger from violence. al
ut seems sailor, too," said he, ''and on day lik
is, this we should not refuse the rites ofhospitay L
| the humbest being who passes along the road
es On Thanksgiving day, no individual, rich or poor
p sailor or londsman, should want for plentiful
&C. meal. Ask him in, my son" continued the no
oc Die hearted farmer, "and let the poor way fare
,e. take n seat at our board.'
III The stranger entered The narlor and room WIN
he made for him at the table. But lis appearance
CO and manner was strange, aud he seemed us if h
was hut ill.dlsposed to reqnite his kind hosts 70
ed The hospitality he enioyed lie did NOT eve