Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-11-18

poorer Pilgrims in place OF tin or pewter.
The roar of one of the great guns on
the hilltop announced the commencement
yf Thank Striving. Then, In the different
dwellings and over fires lit in the open air,
began the work of roasting and boiling
The air was before long savory of the
steam of turkeys turning on strings be-
fore the fire, and of smaller birds fixing
on spits or dancing in bubbling pots.
There was a rattle OF drums, and every
man caught up his musket or fire-lock
and hurried to the house of the Captain,
falling into line as he arrived. When all
had assembled the sergeant stepped for
ward, and the men, three abreast, with
firearms shouldercd, marched orderly and
silently towards the meeting house. Be-
hind came Governor Bradford, in his long
robe of Office, walking gravely, as befitted
governor. On his right hand went the
venerable Elder Brewster, in his preach
ers cloak, bearing the Bible reverently in
his hands On the Governor left walked
Captain Miles Standish, his heavy armor
laid aside for short cloak, his trusty
sword at his side, and small cane in his
hand as mark of office. Proudly he
watched the firm tread, sturdy frames, and
seryiceable weapons of the little troop be-
fore him, and was half regretful that
among the subjects for the days thanks
givings was the blessings of peace with
all the tribes about them 1t was almost
pity so many good muskets should be
used only in shooting wildtowl,
The sermon of Elder Brewster was APP
propriate to the occasion. Never was he
known to preach better discourse, or a
shorter one, though it would be thought
very long now, especially If the steam of
roasting turkeys tickled the noses OF
preacher and congregation, as it did then.
The services over, the procession marched
back again. the troop saluted the Cover
nor and were dismissed, and then came in
the real business of the day
1t aoas Thanksgiving dinner, and no
mistake about it. To be sure the tables
were of the rudest, and there was not
much display, nor were there many little
delicacies that can often be found now on
Thanksgiving tables. But the turkey was
there, and so were a number of other
birds, great and small, roasted and boiled,
and broiled over the embers There was
corn bread, and several little knicknacks
such as the sllllful housewives could make
up out of the materials at hand. Nor
were the tables altogether wanting in dis
play Some families had brought few
household relics from their English homes,
and these were set out to do honor to the
day of rejoicing.
The dinner over and the relics cleared
away, the thoughts Of the Pilgrims turned
to the homes they had left AS the
evening closed in, they trod in fancy the
green lanes of England or the busy streets
of Leyden, They sang the psalms and
songs that hat had been sung around their
English tiresides, and mingled memories
of the past with thankfulness for the
present and hope for the future.
Hank An Indian shout, followed by
challenge from one of the guard A sharp
rattle of a drum, and every man grasped
his firelock and rush out in alarm. Nearly
a hundred savages were pouring into the
village with shouts and cries There was
no occasion for alarm. 1t was Massasoit
and his band, coming in to thank the
white men for their assistanceand to share
their festivities They brought with them
five deer and good supply ofother game,
as their contribution to the feast.
So the Thanksgiving feasting was con-
tinued another day. BY daybreak the
fires were again set going and the work
of roasting broiling, and boiling was re-
sumed, This time venison was added to
the turkey, and the Pilgrims smacked
their lips with delight over this unusual
food.
Whilst the feast was preparing the
Indians performed their dances, startling
the white men and frighting the women
with their wild yells and fierce gestures.
When they rested, Captain Standish
called out his troops in full armor and put
them through their military exercises,
winding up with the discharge of a volley
from their muskets, and a salute from the
great cannon on the hilltop and the little
cannon before the Governors door. The
crash of the musketry and the roar Of the
begged the great Captain that he would
not thunder again, lest he should kill them
all.
On the third day the feasting was re-
sumed, the Indian hunters going out before
daybreak, and returning early with game
for the days feast. A council-tire was
built, and around it speeches were made,
and new pledges of friendship exchanged,
Then with great ceremony Massasoit took
leave of the Governor, his friend the great
Captain, and the other chief men of the
town. Captain Standish, with his troop
of musketeers, escorted the Indians little
way out of the town and gave them a
parting salute.
Thus, with prayers and feasting, with
godly psalms and Indian dances, with
joyous Songs, roaring cannon, and English
shouts mingling cheerily with Indian
whoops, was celebrated the First New
England Thanksgiving - or Young
Folks
The Early Days of Railroad.