The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1839-12-20
A THAN SKGlVING DINNER.

1t was bleak day in the month of
November. The north wind howled
mournInlly through The leahess treea -
the broken clouds fitted rapidly across
the face ofthe heavens and the whole
foce OF nature assumed an aspect, cheer
less and uncOmloriable-w caicula-
ted to remind the mOralist of the clos
ing scenes in the great drama of life
90 traveller, with weary steps, wended
his solitary way through one of those
bsautllul hamlets which abound in N
England and whi;h constitute the no
BILE ornaments, emblems of freedom,
peace and happiness, of which he is JUS
tIy proud.
To judge from his costume, this lrav.
eller belonged to The humblest ranks of
llfe-or had been singled out as a victim
by misfortune. His coarse straw hat,
his patched doublet, and his canvass
trousers, soiIed by tar IN many places
while they proclaimed his occupation
and his poverty, seemed bu, poorly cal-
culated to protect him from tho inclem
ency Of The weather. His form was cast
ina noble mould, denolins great activ-
ity and strength. His manly features,
bronzed by exposure to the tropical sun,
and partly concealed from view by his
luxurant locks of coal black hue, show
ed that he was still in the dawn of man.
hood. And his eyes seemed lighted up
with an intelligent spirit-by CLEAN Of
expectation and hope, with his noble
nalure-aud that however severely fate
had dealt with hin, hls energies were
still unbroken--and that maugre the
chill northern blast, and the fatigue.
which 1t was evident he had recent,
Undergone, he was resolved to pus!
onward until the object which he hat
in view was accomplished.
"lt is now three years" said he te
himself, as he plodded along The road
"slnce very tooIshly left my hspp,
+ home, urged bya SILLY pIque, end low,
for life Of adventure, tu b.aye IN,
hardships and perlls OF the ocean. Sine,
then my life has been a constant serie,
of m'stortunes. ] have met with storm.
on every tack. But thank Providence g.
although my canvass ls sadly reduce d
and pretty we'll worn out-and my pock
els are destitute of baIast-my hull is
unlmpaired and my spirits are as unbro.
ken aud Suoyant as ever. Ihope m,
parents are stllI living, and prosper Gus
and haPpy-l was fool TO leave them
And my brothers and sisters how bap.
py we we're together and cousin Ma.
p-'hat bright little fairy, whom low
cd with love surprising that of cous
lns-and in whose company passed 81
many rapturous hours! On, was ,
great fool to leave such bllsstul scenes
And believe. ailer all. that the li,I,
fairy loved me! know che did-sh,
all but told me 80. Blu, IT is too lat,
no" 10 rettace my steps--I can only
regret my folly. dare say the brgh
and Joyous young thing has forgotten
Ned Willis, and was married to some
woTthler fellow than | am long since
For her rosy cheeks, and laughing eyes,
and sweet disposition, to say nothing
, OF the property she was 10 inherit whel
>he came Of age, attracted msuy ADM.
rers--and made sad havoc among the
'ear's OF the youths Of the village. Wei
It she 's married, there is no more tt
he ss'd II have no right to complain
But hopa she has chosen good hus.
band. will see her once more-wist
her long life and a happy one-an,
away to sea again. But if she is no
married --" He did mt finish the
seDtt nco, but change came over tn,
couOtenance ofthe iII>cIad and wea,he
heaten mariner. as he was induaing in
f a vision ofrapture--aOd he lnyoIunlair,
ly qckened bis pace.
AS Edward Willis journeved onward
towards his home-anticipatlng by turn,
happy and adverse fortunes, he was sur
/ prlsed to find that although it was iu tn,
middle of the week, there was no sign
}, OF labor among the inhabitants. Al
was quet-even the oxen were brow
J. sing contentedly in the pastures-th
school~houses wers closed, and III
meeting houses we're open-,he peopl
whom he met with neatly arrayed i
,, their Sunday clothes and their coun,e
). nances were wreathed 10 smiles of gra
Itude and joy On inquiry, he learne
6, that It vas THANKSGIVING DAY. II
=. hailed the information as a glad omen.
l. On the day when this poor, rorlor
~ looking traveller after years of wander
,o ing, was pursuing hs wav towsrc
10 10 his native villags, the fire burne
"a 10 brightly on the hearth. stone of h
u, parents. Deacon Willis was A Nr
81 ENGLAND FARMER; a man who, t
oh