The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1885-12-17

TAaahsgiviag Day In Florida

CORRESPONDENCE.
TAaahsgivi.s Day In TieriAA.
by Or Florida 1bnssposds"tl
Enron JorgSAL:
Though so far separated from New Eng
land life and scenes, We are not Zoo lar
away 10 cease 70 remember Thanksgiving
DAY. We ere situated 10 the middle and
lover part Of Florids, al point which
bring. rs among those most distant from
north and New England regions. let
Florida il In the Union. aud the Pres
ident's proclamation Of Thanksgiving
sounded in our ears. and We gave due
heed TO il, and here in Winter Park
We though. IL good 70 sst apart
One day Of all the rest,
On which, with reveiential heart,
Our thanks may be confessed.
And We we're inclined to follow in the
footsteps OF our New England fathers.
A large part VI our towns people are des-
cendents Of New England, and We fail not
TO cherish aud respect its institutions,
especially one so joyous. and so honored
and sacred in our memories, o. o Thanks
giving feast. We tried 10 celebrate % we
did, when boys and girls. OF course,
we went to the church for service; and We
had our Congregational church and Con-
gregational minister, the Rev. DR.. Hooker,
3 New Highlander and Vermonter. After
Church service we set down TO , regular
Vermont Thanksgiving dinner. Our house.
keeper and cook are New Englanders, too,
and they were versed and practiced in the
secret arts OF our New England mothers.
Verify we seemed to revel in the dslicaciss
and varieties Of the usual New England
Thanksgiving dinner. At our table, be-
sides myself. were two or three others from
the Green Mountain State. With our
early education and experiences in this
line, on similar occasions. We only needed
o good appetite and digestion, which we
fortunately possessed, to enable rs to do
full Justice to the substsntials and delica-
cies spread before us. One thing or con-
dition seemed lacking, however. For
never before had we set down to Thanks
giving feast, without the outdoor element,
seemingly SO natural and important an
adjunct; that il. the northern tempera-
ture, and its accompanying frost, ice and
snow. As we looked upon the outer world
instead OF winter scenes. wo could only
perceive midsummer appearances pecu-
liar 10 this latitue. 10 this so.called winter
season. Therefore required NJ Vermont
ers to have . powerful ''stretch Of imag-
instion" to bring the latitude and climate
in consonance and sympathy with the oc.
casion. But providence favored rs, and
to comport with the day and occasion. We
were given slight taste Of New England
weather. The nightIbefore Thanksgiving
day was one Of the coolest known for many
years in this region OF southern Florida
The thermometer fell to 80 degrees above
zero. This is unusual. for 1t seldom falls
below 80 deg. and is often - high - 70
degrees at this season Of the year, being
more like summer in Vermont. The day
was opened very appropriately with .
slight frost which served. New England
fashion. to sharpen our appetites for the
New England feast indoors. You would
be amused at the demonstrations and ejac-
ulations Of the Florida people concerning
this ''fearful cold weather" Is they deem
| it. They meet me upon the street, and
ask well. how do you enjoy this cold
weather." lreply, why, think this is
warm day. it is the warmest Thanksgiving
day ever passed in my liiel But these
Floridians don't agree with me. They
rush in doors. set themselves down before
a pine. knot fire upon the hearth to toss'
their knees, rub their hands. and look
arsnnd upon each other. aud say, pretty
cold day isn't it?' Now. though hardly
needed the fire on the HEARTH" ! rather
enjoyed it; it seemed natural, home-liks,
yermont.like, and il s,ade us cherry and
com Portable. Thus We passed the morning
and evening OF our New England Thanks
giving day. The day. except it's earlier
and later hours. was bright and warm :
beautiful, delightful day; and Is we went
into the open air We scarcely felt the need
OF extra or outer clothing to our ordinary
indoor dress. Thus We have passed our
| first Thanksgiving 10 Florida, and We hope
| il will not be our last And, on this ma.
tional Thanksgiving and fesst-dsy, We feel
that we have much 10 be thankful for,
wherever our lot be cast. All the blessings
and all the goodness with which kind
and benificent Providence favors us. In
Whatever cline we may be. should make
us truly and heartily thankful. With I
fair portion Of aome Of Gods best gifts,
with . good degree Of health, "snd having
food and raiment. let rs Herewith be con'
tent.
when We have truly thanked the Lord
For every blessing sent.
But little time will then rcmsin
For murmur. or lament"
NoRrHxRxER.
II have thee on the hip" cried rheu-
mst,su, seizing his victim aud tossing him
.rtf.r,,r he'd "Not. No." he cried,