Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-11-26
The First and Last Thanksgiving

Crisp lay the frost on field and meadow
and the crimson tints of the just upriseI
sun meltowed the distant mountain tops
and gilded tree and shrub with sucf
sparkling refulgence that they shone like
a glittering sheen of diamond drops. The
sheep were penned in their fold, just ou
from their nights shelter, and were nib
bling the fodder strewn about against the
fence and round upon the sunny side O
the barn. The cattle were vending then
way adown the slope to where the spring
bubbled up its crystal fluid, led by the
faithful OK, the patriarch of the herd
and the milkmaid, with her span clean
pals, sang a merry air as she wended hel
way to the dairy with her sweet and fra
grant burden. The old rooster was train
ing his wives and their grown up broods
busy leading them hither and thither IN
search of gravel or insects-strutting
proudly about, Us grand as an old soldier
plumed and spurred, either for battle OF
the more courtly duties of gallantry
while this and that old hen, the speckled
uuIlet and all, trotted hither or thitheI
at his call, Cabling CT chanting, as hap
py and as talkative as the whole troupe
of ladies in the harem Of the Grand Turk
while ever and anon the little village oi
.outhouses and barns were made to echo
with his shrill and clarion voice. Tow
ser. the old house dog, that had for ten
wears been the faithful guardian OF his
masters interests, lay upon the front door
step. in a state of quiet dignity, conscious
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 woodplle,
with her tail coiled comfortably around
her feet, and her eyes, halt closed ana
placid, expressing an unusual amount el
satisfaction. From the cottage chimney
eurled up the smoke blue and gracefully
after that fashion that betokens goodly
day. and the doves had come out from
their cotes, and were walking back ana
forth upon the roof of the barn, cooine
and nodding their little heads and behaV,
ing as merrily as possible. 1t was most
pleasant scene, and all around bespoke
the nrosperous farmhouse and the thrli-
tv busbandman.. Yonder, by the turn OF
the road. with stately poplar and spread
ing willow in front, stood thellttle churcn,
and further on. amid autumn fields, was
seen the quiet parsonage. To the west
the road wound up the valley, sklrted on
one side by hill covered with forest
growth of wood, and upon the other oy a
dark -browed and craggy emmence, matt
ed with frs and cedar. Up thlther was
the way to the tavern where all the poll
tics of the day were discussed, and many
an incident related of perilous adventure
or hard fought battle-tor IN those oay ),
when men tvere men, and virtue not SO
easily tempted. every country place haC'
its tavern where even the godly were not
ashamed to assemble occasionally, ana
take a social glass, even with that hoiy
man, the minister. Those were good!y
days. when virtue needed not SO much
watching as at present, and people were
too busy with their own affairs TO spare
time to look after the affairs OF others
All, indeed it was truly wonderful ana
a happy scene, and every object about,
animate or inanimate, seemed thrilled
with universal delight-and what an oc-
casion, too .l... ...- -
1t was the First Thanksgiving.
Years of peril, of toll and OF war had
the country suffered, ground down by
foreign oppression, and overrun by a me.
NAL soldiery; years of stout battling foI
the dignity of human nature and human
right-for the inalienable inheritance oil
mana representative government and
freedom from oppressive taxationl No
bly, had the foe been meet-foot by foot
and inch by inch, had battle after battle
been fought, and repulse after repulse
suffered. Hungry, ilLclad. often with
bare and bleeding feet, had strong heart
ed bands of men marched forth from
their homes. to fight the battles of free
dom, and offer their blood as the sacri-
flee! Eight long years of toilsome, un-
certain and unequal warfare had the coun-
try gone through, and thousands of brave
hearts had beaten their last throb at the
very feet of the foe, and still an uneon-
uuered and unyielding band stood reso.
Lutte before the enemy, seeking no terms
but those of victory-expecting no mercy
but deathI And thus beat the whole
pulse of the country, as in one heart
with a firm reliance on heaven, and devo-
ton to their great and pure leader, Wash
ington, there could be no other result
than one of triumph; no other thought
but Liberty
They came-those tidingsof peace. On
angels pinions went forth the glorious
news, and as it fell upon the ears of mat
ron and maid-of aged sire and gallant
son, how joyfully leaped their hearts, and
amid tears and smiles how many knee
was bent, and many a lip was moved in
PRAYER and thanksgiving to the Divine
Source of all, and the sword was sheath
ed the bayonet returned to its scabbard,
and the war worn soldier once more turn
ed his step toward home, and the army
was disbanded. But many he@rth had
been made desolate, and few households
but missed at the festive board some dear
familiar face, they never more shall meet
on earth. Well, God rest and bless them!
They perished in noble cause.-the de-
fence 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
Thanksgiving Praise and Prayer. With
what devotion it was kept with buoyant
youth and tottering sire, with merry
king and religious rites. Turkeys were
nut up to be shot at by the young men OF
the village; games of ball were played,
wrestling matches were made; jumping
and foot-racing were practiced, and many
other manly feats performed, winning the
praises of fair maiden and veteran soldier.
In the house-such a elatter! What
heaps of poultry and roast pig. Huge In
dian puddings floating amid sea of Jel-
". Plate upon plate of mince pies, juicy
and spicy, with crust so short that it al
most melted in your mouth. Apple pies
how it made ones mouth water even to
look at them; and then the pumpkin
pies and custards. Cake of all variety in
shape and make; and cheese-such cheese,
and butter, golden and full of luscious
fragrance, made by the good wife herself,
or perhaps her no less Accomplished daugh-
ter. Who would not like the butter beat
up by such pretty dimpled hands, and so
sweet, too; or the bread kneaded by the
work of such fair arms All what a
happy household But we forget the
goose. Dinner is ready, and the fattest OF
the flock, weighing exactly twenty-five
pounds eight ounces, graces a huge plat
ter at the head of the table, where sits
the master of the house. Dinner is ready.