The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-01-10
THANKSGIVING DAY. He hailed the inlor


nation as good omen.
On the day when this poot (orlorn look
ling traveller, after years Of wandering wa:
pursuing his way towards his native village
he fire burned brightly on the hesrih~ston,
Of his parents. Deacon Willis was a New
England Farmer-a man who, by cherish
ing The virtues Of industry and frugality ,haC
be come possessed of handsome property
and who enjoyingia competence in free
country. protected by a wise government
su rounded by kind, intelligent neighbors
and in the midst Of a virtuous family, en-
wed neither nabobs their riches nor mon
atchs their power. Thanksgiving was re-
Iigiously observed by him as it had been
ny his father before him-and the graft
,ude which he expressed 10 his Creator for
Ihe mercies ne had received, was not mere
formula Of unmeaning words, bu, came di>
reclly from the heart
On this day his children were all collect
ed around him-and all anticipated a Joy.
Gus Thanksgiving.-Sever Of his distant
relations who were no, so well provided
with the good things of this life as the wor-
Thy Deacon, also accepted an invitation TO
be present. Among those who were shell
tered by his hospitable roof on This occasion
,he greatest favorte was Mary Wadswor,h.
blue eyed damsel, whose lovely and ex-
pressve face told more about sweetness
and purify than could describe in. a 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. Bot Deacon Willis had been to her
Ia parent-his house had been her home-.-
his wife had treated her with a mothers
kndness-and his children regarded her as
sister and a dear friend.
Mrs. Willis situation as mistress of the
family, was no sincere on that day. Hel
duties were various and imporlant-for i
was the New England Hoi&ay-and al
her skill as housewife her excellence
az a manager, was put to the test on
Thanks giving day. After ser family re
inrned from meeting for ,hev were Of the
old fashioned sort, who would almost as
soon be deprived Of their Thanksgiving din
rer, as to be deprived Of the Thanksg
sermon, the table was set in the large front
oarlor, which was wont to be done only
IN extraordinary occasions, and serinns pre-.
DMatons for the festival commenced. A
good fire made Of walnut and yellow oak
burned cheerfulIy in the large open fire
place, and the females helor ging 10 the
house were put in reGuisilion to bear the
abundance Of good things from the kich
N to the parloy-and which when deposit
ID in their respective places, made the ia'
lies groan again.
Al the end of the table was placed port
V turkey ,lne choicest of large and pamp-
,red familv--a the other extremity was de-
posted ham Of a.size and flavor to make
| Wes,phalian's eyes sparkle with JOY. Onl
he cenue was stationed pucked roasted
md ready for the carving knife, one of
hose celebrated animals, which whilomI
aved from the ravages Of the Gauls, theI
aplOl Of Rome and which in vulagar par
anGe, are yelcpt geese-whiIe here and
here scattered around the table, in apparent
with deliberate care and pres
isIon, were boiled fowls, roasted fowls,
elIies, nickknacks, and plates Of vegetables
If more varieties and excellence than ]
v ould willingly undertake to enumerate--I
while on The kitchen table, arranged appa-
emily as a corps de reSerGe, might be seen
stately plumb pudding, supported by sew
nal enormous Thanksgiving punpkin pies
Sih mince pies, apple pies, squash pies &
,ustard pies, with fruits of various kinds,
rot forgetting nuts and apples, to bring ny
he rear. As a beverage, on this happy
occasion, water was the only article provi"
led-waler hroughl from a clear and spark
ling spring, which bubblrd up a, few rods
from the house; for Farmer Willis conten>
led that WAFER was the best drink even on
festive occasions-and that hiIarity and JOY
should be promoted, not by strong drinks
of any kind, but social communication, by a
free lntereEange Of lhonghLs and ideas, by