Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-24
THE FIRST AND LAST THANKSGIVING


the distant mountain tops, and gliding tree and
shrub with such sparkling refulgence that they
sh"ne like glittering sheen Of diamond drops
The sheep were penned in their fold lust out
from their nights shelter, and were nibbling
the fodder strewn about against the fence and
round upon the sunny side of the barn The
cattle were vending their way adown the slope
TO where the spring bubbed u % its crystal fluid,
led by the faithful OK, the patriarch Of the herd
and the milkmaid, with her span clean pals,
sang merry air as she wended her way to the
dairy with her sweet and fragrant burden. The
old rooster was training bis wives and their
grown up broods, busy leading them hither and
thither In search of gravel or insect-strutting
proudly about, as grand as an old soldier,
pinned and spurred: either for battle or the
more coqrtly dutieso Of gallantry, while this and
that old hen, the speckled pulet and all trotted
hither or thithsr at his call, gabbling or chant
ing, as happy and "a talkatiye rs the whole
troupe Of ladies in the harem Of the Grand Turk;
while ever and anon the little villages of out
houses and barns were made to echo with his
shriiI and clarion voice Towser, the old house
dog, that had Tor ten years been the faithful
guardian OF his master interests lay upon the
front door step, IN state Of quiet dignity con-
sciOus all the while Of his responsibility and the
immense charge that lay upon his mind Even
pussy was not out Of sight, but had crouched
herself upon huge wood pile, with her tail
eoiled comfortably around herfect, and her eyes
half closed and placid expressing an unusual
amounted satisfaction. Prom the cottage Chin
ney curled up ths smoke blue and gracefully,
After that fashion that betokens n goodly day,
and the doves had come out from their cotes
and were walking back and forth upon the roofof
the barn, cooling and nodding their little heads
and behaving as merrily as possible. II was a
most pleasant sceno, and all sround bespoke the
prosperous farm house and the thrifty husband
msn. Yonder, by the turn Of the road with
stately poplar and spreading willow in front
tod. h. Isgfln Il,
autumn fields, was seen the quiet parsonage
To the west the road wound up the valley, skirt
ed on one side by hill covered with a forest
growth Of wood, and upon the other by dark
orowed and craggy eminence, matted with frs
and cedar. Up thither was the way to the tavern
where al the politics of the day were discussed
and many an Incident related Of perilous ad-
venture or hard fought battle-for in those
days, when men tcSTe men, and virtue not so
easily tempted, every country place had its
tavern where even the godly were not ashamed
to assemble occasionally, and take q social
glass, even with that holy man, the minister
Those were goodly days, when virtue needed
not 80 much watching as at present, and people
were kept too busy with their own affairs TO
spare time to look after the affairs of others
Ay, indeed it was truly q wonderful and
happy scene, and every object about, animate
or inanimate, seemed thrilled with universal
delight-and what an occasion, too,
II was the First Thanksgiving "
Years of peril Of toll and Of war had the
country suffered, ground down by foreign op-
preston, and overrun by menial soldiery;
years Of stout battling for the dignity OF human
nature and human right-for that inalienable
Inheritance Of msn-a representative govern
ment and freedom from oppressive taxation
Nobly had the foe been met-foot by foot and
inch by inch had battle after battle been fought,
and repulse after repulse suffered. Hungry, i'll
clad, and often with bare and bleeding feet had
haa fa1 han Il aofr
their homes to fight the battles of freedom, and
oher their blood as the sacrifice Eight long
years OF toilsome, uncertain and UNEQUAL war
fare had the country gone through, and thou
sands upon thousands Of brave hearts had beaten
their last throb at the very feet of the foo and
still an unconquered and un yielding band stood
resolute before the enemy, seeking no terms but
those OF fylctOry-expectiEg no mercy but death,
And thus beat the whole pulse Of the country.
As IN one heart; with 6rm reliance on Heaven,
and devotion to their great and pure leader.
ashing:oc there could be no other result than
one OF triumph; no other thought but Liberty
Ihey came-thCse tidings Of peace. On angels |
pinlons went forth the glorious news, and as it |
fell upon the ears Of matrOn and maid-of aged
sire and gallant son, how joyfuily leaped their
hearts, and amid tears and smiles how many a |
knee was bent, and many lip was moved in |
prayer and Thanksgiving to the Divine Source
Of all, and the sword was Eheathed the bayonet
returned TO its seabbard, and the war worn SOL |
der once more turned his step tow ard home, and
the army was disbanjed. But many hearth
had been made desJlAte and few households but
missed at the festive board some dear familiar
face, they never more should meet on earth
Well; God rest and bless them! Theyperished
In noble cause.-The defence of their native
land, made dOubly sacred by the blood so shed!
Peace now shed its radiant beams upon all
around, and day was appointed Of Thanksgiy-
ing, Praise and Prayer. With what devotion
twas kept by buoyant youth and totteriny sire,
with merry aking and religious rites Tur-
Keys were put up TO be shot at by the young
Lien " the yillsgei games of ball we're played;
wrestling matches were male up; jumping and
foot-raclrS were practiced, and many other
manly teats performed, winning the praises of |
fair maiden and veteran soldier In the house
such a clatter, What heaps of poultry and |
roast pig. Huge Indian puddings floating amid !
sea Of jelly. Plate upon plate Of mince pies. |
Juicy and SPICY, with crust so short that it |
almost melted IN your mouth Apple pies-how |
1t made ones mouth water even to look at them: |
and then the pumpkin pies and eustards Cake
OF all variety in shape aud make; and cheese |
such cheese. and butter, golden and full of Ius-
eious fragrance, made by the good wife herself, |
or perhaps her no less accomplished daugbIor
Who woull not like the butter beat up bysuch !
pretty dimpled hands, and so sweet, TOO; or the !
bread kneaded by the work of such fair arms |
Ah! what happy household But we forget the |
goose Dinner is ready, and the fattest Of the
weighing exactly twenty-five pounds eight
ounces, graces n huge platter at the head of the
table. where sits the master Of the house Din
ner is ready. Boys and girls corae in from play.
Take your places round the table. Let us Sc
IL n quite family reunion, and all the cousins
aunts and uncles that have escaped the great
war, are gathered round the board, and al are
merry and happy, and the feast commences. A
blessing from the parson-he Of eourseisinyited
All are happy. Yes, but-but look in the ma
tron lace There tear in her eye, as she
turns 10 . vacant seat-a moments sadness ,a,S
1t Is wiped away by her clean check apron. Sbo
could not helpit- Her thoughts W ere Of the ar
asey-taT away beyond the ken Of human wis. |
f5n. gone from the battlefield to heaven. Tho |
Eye OF her husband fell upon her, and he read |
her thoughts. Twas tuta struggle with him
6 L.eIe ehoAins in the throat, and like brayA
man, be mastered the feeling and cheerod on |
the feast. Poor Henry was not forgotten, |