Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-11-19

t.
cd back again, the troop saluted tho
Governor and were dismissed, and then
came in the real business Of the day.
1t scas 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 lit
tie delicacies that can often be found now
on Thanksgiving tables. But the tur-
key was there, and SO were number of
other birds, great and small, roasted and
boiled, and broiled over the embers.
There was corn bread, and several little
knick-knacks such as the skillful house
wives could make up out of the materi-
al at hand. Nor were the tables altogeth
er wanting in display. Some families
had brought few household relies from
their English homes, and these were set
out to do honor to the day of rejoic-
ing. si
p The dinner over and the relics cleared
the thoughts of the pilgrims turned to
the homes they had left. As the eve-
ming closed in, they trod in fancy the
green lanes of England of the busy
streets of Leyden. They sang the
psalms and songs that had been sung
around their English firesides,i and min
gled memories of the past with thank
fulness for the present and hope for the
future.
Hark An Indian shout, followed by
a challenge from one of the guard A
sharp rattle of drum, and every man
grasped his firelock and rushed out in
alarm. Nearly hnndred 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 as
sistance and to share their festivities.
| They brought with them five deer and
good supply Of other game, as their con-
tribution 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 frightening the women
with their wild yells and fierce gestures.
When they rested, Captain Standish
called out his troops in fall armor and
put them through their military exer-
cises, winding up with the discharge of
volley from their muskets, and a sa-
lutte from the great cannon on the hill
top and the little cannon before the
Governors door, The crash of the mus
kerry and the roar Of the cannon terri
fed the savages, and they begged the
"great Captain" that he would not
thunder again, lest he should kill then,
:. On the third day the feasting was re
u sumed, the Indian hunters going out be-
fore daybreak, and returning early with
= game for the days feast. A council fire
was built, and around it speeches were
: made, and new pledges of friendship ex
7 changed. Then with great ceremony
Massasoit took leave of the Governor
:. his friend the great Captain, and tht
y other chief men Of the town, Captain
4 Il 3 j Il
I escorted the Indians little way out 0
:. the town and gave them parting salute
u Thus, with prayers and feasting, will
= godly psalms and Indian dances, witt
70 joyous songs, roaring cannon, and Eng
's lish shouts mingling cheerily with Indial
ie whoops, was celebrated the First Ne,
= England Thanksgiving.
ig ~ ~ j. III. A. BoNE.