The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-01-17

uaO OctH pS ITS idlntr OeiurG MN, ana
the gratitude which he expressed to bis
Creator for the mercieS which he had re.
ceived, was not a mere formula of un-
meaning words, but came directly from
the heart.
On this day his children were collect.
ed all around him, and all anticipated a
Joyous thanksgiving. Several Of the dis.
tant relations who we've as well provided
with the good lhings Of this life as the
worthy Deacon, also accepted an invita-.
ton 10 be present. Among those who
were sheltered by his hospitable roof on
this occasion, the greatest favorile seemed
to be Mary Wardsworlh, blue-eyed
damsel, whose lovely and expressive face
told more about sweetness and purity than
could describe in folio volume. She
was an only daughter Of the cousin of the
worthy Deacon's, and at an early age was
deprived OF her parents by death. But
Deacon Willis had been to her parent
his house had been her home his wife
had treated her with mothers Kindness,
and his children regarded her as a sister
and dear friend.
Mrs. Wilson's situation as a mistress
Of the family, was no sinccura on that
day. Her duties were various and I'M
portant-IOr il was the Nelc Engiand
HOHday-aIl her exceIencies as a mana.
ger was put to the test on Thanksgiving
day. After the family returned from meet
ing, for they were of the old fashioned
sort, who would almost as soon lose their
Thanksgiving dinner, as be deprived Of
The Thanksgiving sermon, the table was
SET in the large front parlor, which was
wont to be done only on extraordinary
occasions, and serious preparation for the
festival commenced. a good fire, made
OF walnut and yellow oak wood, burned
cheerfuIly in the large open fire. place,
and all the females belonging to the
house, were put in reQuisiiion to bear the
abundance Of the good things from the
kitchen TO the parlor--and which, when
deposited in their respective places made
the ,ables groan again.
At the end Of the table was placed
portly turkey, the choicest of large and
pampered family--at the former exlremi-
ty. was deposited ham of size and fla
vor to make a Westphalian's eyes spar
kle with Joy. On the centre was station.
ed, plucked, roasted, and ready for the
carvlng-knife, one of those celebrated an
ImaIs which Whilom saved from the raw
ages of the Gauls, the capitol of Rome,
and which in vulgar parlance, are yclcped
geese-while here and there. seated round
the table in apparent disorder-but with
deliberate care and precision, were boiled
fowls, roasted fowls, jeIIies, knickknacks.
and plates of vegetables of more varieties
and excellence than would willingly I'M
dertake 10 enumerate-whle on the kitch-
ell table, arranged apparently as a corps
dc reserve, might be seen n stately plum
pudding supported by several enormous
Thanksgiving pumpkin pies, squash pies,
and custard pies, with fruits Of various
kinds, rot forgetting nuts and apples to
bring up the rear. As beverage on this
happy occasion, rater was the only ari-
Gle provided-water brought from clear
and sparkling spring, which dubbed up
a few rods from the house; for Farmer
Willis cOntended that water was the hes,
drink, even on festive occasions--and that
hlarl'y and JOY would be promoted, not
by wine or strong drink of any kind, but
by social communion, by free inter
change Of thoughts and ideas, by gener-
Gus feelings, born and nourished in no.
bic bosom.
1t was nearly two o'clock, long after
their accustomed hours Of dinner, before
the assembled company were invited into
the parIor to parlake of the good cheer
which had been so beautifully provided.
And as the happy company stood around
the table, waiting for their hos. to ask the
Divine Blessing upon the meal that was
pleced before them, shade fitted across
the good mans brow-for his eldest son,
a noble boy, was absent. Among the
joyful faces tina, surrounded him, Ed
wards was not seen. He had left his
home, years before, to embrace sea-far.
ing liIe--and the wanderer had not return
ed. There was good reason TO believe
that he was no longer in the land of the
llv'ng-and although they still strove to
cherish hopes in each others bosoms.
many and bitter were the tears of alTec-
ton, which had embalmed his memory.
MY poor, dear boy = exclaimed Mrs.
Willis-'Ah, much fear we shall never
see his smiling face again
Mary Wordsworth said nolhing-but
tear started into her cye-and any cas-
Il a