Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-12-04

giving was religlOusly observed by him., as
il had been by mis- father before him-and
the gratitude which he expressed to his Gre
itor for the mercies which he had received,
was not a mere formula Of unmeaning
words, but came directly from the heart
On this day his children were collected
around him-and all anticipated a Joyous
Thanksgiving. Several Of bis distant rela-
lives, who were not so well provided with
the good things Of this life as the worthy
deacon, also accepted an invitation 10 be
present Among those who were sheltered
BY bis hospitable roof on this occasion. the
greatest favorite seemed TO be Mary Wards
worth, a blue eyed damsel, whose lovely and
expressive face told more about sweetness
volume. She was the only daughter Of a
cousin ofthe worthy Deacon's. and at an
early age was deprived OF her parents by
death. But Deacon Willis had been to her
a parent-his house had been her home
his wife had treated her with a mothers
kindness-and his children regarded her as
a dear sister and a dear friend.
Mrs Willis's situation as mistress Of the
family. was no sinecure on that day. Her
duties were various and Importation il
was the Nep England Hoiiday-nnd oil her
skill as a housewife-all her excellence us
q manager. was put TO test on Thanksgiving
Day. After the family returned from meet.
ing, for they were Of the good old fashioned
sort. who would almost as soon lose their
Thanksgiving sermon. the table was set in
the large front parlor, which was wont 10 be
used only on extraordinary occasions. and
prepa rations for the festival commenced. A
good FIRE, made OF walnut and yellow oak
wood, burned cheerfulIy in the large open
6re-place-and all the females belonging 10
the house were put in requisition to bear the
abundance ofthe good things from the kitch.
en- 10 the parlor-and which when deposited
in their respective places, made the tables
groan again.
AT the head ofthe table, was placed a port
Iy Turkey the choicest Of a large and pam
pered family-at the further extremity, de-
posted a ham ola size and favor to make q
Westphalian's eyes parkle with Joy. On
the centre was stationed. plucked. roasted,
and ready for the ca~rving.knife. one Of those
celebrated animals, which whilom saved
from the ravages Of the Gauls. the capitol Of
Rome, and which. in vulgar parlance. are
ycleped geese-while here and there. scat
tered around the table, in apparent disorder,
but with deliberate care and precision, were
boiled fowls. roasted fowls-jellies. knick-
nacks, and plates OF vegetables of more vari-
cites and excellence than l would willingly
undertake TO enumerate--while on the
kitchen table, arranged apparently as a
corps de ~reserre. might be seen a stately plum
pudding, supported by several enormous
Thanksgiving pumpkin pies. with mince
pies, apple pies. squash pies and custard
pies, with fruits of various kinds. not forget.
ting nuts and apples, to bring up the rear
As a beverage on this happy occasion, aca'
Ter was the only article provided-watel
brought from a clear and sparkling spring
which bubbled up a few rods from The
house; for Farmer Willis contended that wa,
ter was the bes, drink. even on festive occa-
sions-and that hiIiarity and Joy should b
promoted, not by wine or strong drink Of
any kind, but by social communion, by Q
free interchange OF thoughts aud ideas. born
and nurtured in a noble bosom.
II was nearly two o'clock. long after tbeil
) accustomed hours OF dinner, before the as
sembled company were invited into the par
lor to partake Of the good cheer which ha6
been SO bountifully provided. And as the
Il happy company stood around the table. wait
ing for their host to ask the Divine Blessing
: upon the meal which was placed befor,
them, a shade fitted acsoss the great man
g brow-for his eldest son. a noble boy, wal
. absent. Among the joyful faces which SUI
4 rounded him, Edwards was mol seen. HI
had left his home, years before, to embrace
4 sea- faring liie-and the wanderer had no
returned. There was good reason to be
|, licve that he was no longer in the land o
ftthe liying-and although they still stroye t
$ cherish hopes in each others bosoms-ma
ny aud bitter were the tears of affection
which had embalmed his memory.
Deacon Willis did not intend TO cast
$ damp over the spirits of the happy group
as his words were but the echoes Of hi
Thoughts, as he involunlarily exclaim
ed. Were Edward here. we should indee
be happy
My poor, dear boyI' exclaimed Mr.
WiIlis-'Ah, 1 much fear we shall neve
e see his smiling face again
Mary Wardsworih said notbing-but
tear started into her eye-and any casua
observer would have seen at once that Et
q ward Willis was dearer to her than cousi
d or a friend-and that she cherished hi
memory il the very depths Of her heart.
g Just then old Bose. the house-dog, wa
heard to make some angry demonstrated
e 10 a passing traveller. which attracted after
ton inasmuch as il was by no means an o.
g. binary occuyrence-for Bose was a well nul
o. ,,rad hrota and oaldon, accostod N well Dire,